Nell Nolan: IPNO Project gala, VCPORA 2024, Red Mass reception

Decisive Dates

Oh, Freedom!

Such was the title for the 23rd anniversary gala of IPNO, Innocence Project New Orleans, which took place at The Broadside and featured “delicious food, open bar, silent auction, music, and more.” A 5:30-6:30 p.m. patron party launched the purposeful partying and a subsequent three-hour gala closed it. The hosts were Stanwood and Janet Duval. A former Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Stanwood R. Duval Jr., also serves as the vice chair of the IPNO Board of Directors. Avery Pardee is the chair; John A. Nolan, treasurer; and Tara Allegra Adams, secretary. Directors — all with impressive titles — are Judy Y. Barrasso, Royce Duplessis, Bernette Joshua Johnson, Robert Jones, Jerome Morgan, Harry Moses, Avione Pichon, Herschel E. Richard Jr., Ravi Sangisetty, and Susan Simon. Jee Park, IPNO executive director, heads a staff of 18.

In an early VIP gathering at the gala, event co-chair Janet Daley Duval, “who has worked primarily as a career federal law clerk for 28 years,” greeted the crowd, and then, at 6:15 p.m., called to the stage Jerome Morgan, “Rooted School, former IPNO Client.” He emphasized the success of IPNO, which “frees innocent people sentenced to life in prison and those serving unjust sentences.” Morgan praised the program and its handling “of every individual with respect.” The twosome then called for the strong need to raise money and the “match” by a private donor.

After the event program’s opening remarks by Jee Park, two awards, Pro Bono and John Thompson … for Courage & Justice, were given respectively to Brett S. Venn, partner, Jones Walker LLP, and to Sister Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking,” which inspired an Academy Award winning movie, a play and an opera. Laverne Thompson, widow of the above John “JT” Thompson, presented the award. Two years after her wrongfully convicted husband was exonerated, they opened a sandwich shop, “a gathering place for exonorees.”

Further highlights of the evening were the premiere of “Family Portraits,” a short film by JoLu Productions; the digital silent auction with thanks to 37-plus donors; a buffet dinner catered by Afrodisiac; IPNO client introductions; and the attendance of hundreds and hundreds of supporters. Many came from the gala committee, whose ranks were Judy Barrasso and Brent Barriere, Ashley Barriere, Batou Chandler, Peggy Charbonnet, Mandy and Steve DeLong, Royce and Krystle Duplessis, Carolyn Fayard, Lulu and Billy Freiberg, Megan Grant and Jason Bilbe, Hope Harper, Carrie Hood, Judge Rachael Johnson, Martha and John Landrum, Pam and Cedic Martin, Judith Owen and Harry Shearer, Mallory Robinson, Ravi and Elizabeth Sangisetty, Laura and Sonny Shields, Ashbrooke Tullis, Christine White, Lacey Wood, and Danielle Ziff. Post-event, co-host Janet Duval commented, “We were thrilled at the generosity and genuine commitment to pursuing justice that we saw that night.”

At the beginning of the fundraiser’s formalities, the “Oh, Freedom!” title and theme received a musical expression. Lifting her voice to render the message was Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph.

Time Past, VCPORA Present

Tujague’s Restaurant, a grande dame of Crescent City dining since 1856, continues that legacy in its new Decatur Street location. Continued, too, at the recent gala of VCPORA (Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents and Associates) was the remembrance of French Quarter times past through icons and characters. “Le Temps Qui S’Écoule” (“The Passage of Time”) titled the clever caper.

Each room in the restaurant was styled with a different name and theme, which corresponded to a “Tribute” table. Beloved, eccentric and unique characters enjoyed a decorative return. In the 300 Years of Characters room, Ruthie the Duck Lady was recalled by little rubber ducks, and Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, by snake tattoos (aligned to a rumor about his own body art). Other rooms included Literary Characters, a Pirate’s Patio, and The Casquette Girls Attic. Three recently deceased preservationists, Jackie Brechtel Clarkson, Dr. Carol Gelderman and Avis Ogilvy Moore, were honored as French Quarter Icons.

Taking a cue from the theme, the VCPORA crowd donned masks and outfits, appearing as the Baroness de Pontalba, Ruthie the Duck Lady, Chris Owens, Tennessee Williams, George Dureau, and fitness guru Richard Simmons. To cite a look-alike few. For individual entertainment, Eureeka Starfish read Tarot cards and Aryanah typed impromptu poetry. The culinary component was significant, thanks to the restaurant’s passed hors d’oeuvres, chicken pasta, pork loin, grilled vegetables, and bread pudding.

Champagne titled the top sponsor category. Recognized in that listing were Peggy and Timber Floyd, Dr. Robert Travis Kenny, Ann M. Masson and the estate of Avis Ogilvy Moore. Making rounds during the Sunday soiree were VCPORA president Nathan Chapman, vice president Andy Gallagher and Laura Cayouette, gala chair Lynda Gladney (and members of her 22-person committee, such as Lynette DuFrene with Terry), David Speights and Ginger Gould, Tatianna Macchione and Mark Masor, Claus Sadlier, Sharon Hayes-Roth, Virginia Boulet and Alvin Albe Jr., C.J. Blanda, Peggy and Robert Armstrong, Jane Cooper and Bob Heaps, Lisa and Edward Shedlock, Andree K. Moss, Dr. Rick and Cheryl Esquivel, and Tony Marino. Erin Holmes is the association’s executive director.

Now for the spirited sounds! The costumed crowd heeded the call and danced the night away to The Gladney Trio, Alicia Renee a.k.a “Blue Eyes,” and The Maxwell Poulos Duo. In this historical ambiance, present-day moves prevailed with timely brio.

Red Reverence

The Red Mass harks back in tradition to Rome, Paris and London as a ceremony that officially opens the judicial year of the Sacred Roman Rota, the Tribunal of the Holy See. Historical venues have been La Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and Westminster Cathedral in London. In the U.S., the Guild of Catholic Lawyers inaugurated the tradition in 1928 in New York City. Years later, 1953, the first Red Mass celebrated in Louisiana was offered in St. Louis Cathedral. It is also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France.

It was there on a recent Monday morning that the 72nd Red Mass took place. It was sponsored by the Catholic Bishops of the State of Louisiana and the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association and celebrated by Archbishop of New Orleans Francis M. Aymond. Ceremony notables included Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee William A. Wack, CSC, homilist; as readers, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana Scott Crighton and Judge Jonathan Friedman, magistrate commissioner, Orleans Criminal District Court; and Evangeline “Eve” Ann Vavrick, mistress of ceremonies. Also Deacon Jody Fortunato, cantor Austin Adomotis and the Cathedral Choir, and organist Jesse Reeks. Church Rector the Very Rev. Patrick Williams garnered special thanks.

Following the Mass, a brunch reception beckoned at the nearby Bourbon Orleans, where red roses and the St. Thomas More banner were symbolic decorations, and mimosas, croissants, traditional brunch dishes, and pastries were the food fare. All of that was enjoyed by Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court John Weimer; STM officers, namely president Lauren Favret, president-elect Barbara Malik, vice president Patrick “Pat” Talley (also president of the Louisiana State Bar Association), spiritual director the Rev. Joe Palermo Jr., and treasurer Judge Ellen Kovach; and past presidents F. Evans Schmidt and Judges Ray Steib Jr., Paul Bonin (retired), Bernadette D’Souza, and Daniel Dysart, immediate past president. All congratulated Eric J. Derbes, the 2024 recipient of the Evangeline Award in recognition of his strong commitment to STM. It was named after the late Evangeline Molero Vavrick for her 50-plus years of dedicated service to the organization and in particular, the Red Mass.