2024 | LOUISIANA SATURDAY NIGHT
The Krewe of Romany, friends, and families joined Ball Captain Kimberley LaCour Mitchell for a “Louisiana Saturday Night” to celebrate the Krewe’s 74th annual ball on Saturday, January 27th at the Raising Cane’s River Center. The Ball Captain's joy and love for Louisiana Saturday Nights came together for all to enjoy! Kim Mitchell is one of LSU's biggest fans and loves a Louisiana Saturday night in Death Valley! Her costume was LSU themed with a bengal tiger, LSU stadium, and loads of purple and gold! She was attended by her grandson, Ball Captain Attendant Wade Joseph Jarreau, son of Mackenzie Jarreau and John Jarreau. Wade's costume reflected that of an LSU drum major decked out in purple and gold.
Queen Romany LXXIV Adrienne Carole Lambert, daughter of Krewe Board Treasurer Collette and Brent Lambert reigned over the “Louisiana Saturday Night” themed evening alongside King Romany LXXIV Robert E. Waltman, Jr, husband of Krewe member Svend Waltman. The queen and king costumes were a beautiful combination of whites, golds with a hint of Tiffany Blue and represented Louisiana by including the pelican.
Attending the queen were her pages ~ Presley Corrinne Benoit, daughter of Amanda Benoit and Buddy Benoit and granddaughter of Krewe member Joy LaFleur; Claire Margaret Edgecomb, daughter of Krewe member Sara and Robb Edgecomb; Lucy Hannagan, daughter of Drs. Eva and Jason Hannegan and niece of Krewe member Katie Schexnaydre; Sutton Renee Moore, daughter of Arlette and Ryan Moore, great niece of past ball captain Tammi Williams, the great granddaughter of the late Past Ball Captain Peggy Moore; Ainsley Elizabeth Shelton, daughter of Krewe member Jeanne-Marie and Chase Shelton; Natalie Hope Shigleur, daughter of Hope and Michael Shingleur and great granddaughter of Krewe member Donna Lerma; and Kylie Joyce Torrence, daughter of Carlie and Blake Torrence and granddaughter of Past Ball Captain Brenda Torrence.
Attending the king were his pages ~ grandson Robert Edward Waltman, IV "Robbie", son of Ashley and Robert Waltman and grandson of Krewe member Svend Waltman; granddaughter Piper Svend Waltman, daughter of Samantha and Alex Waltman and granddaughter of Krewe member Svend Waltman; Edward Koenig Hammatt, son of Krewe member Kristi and Blake Hammatt; Presley Brooke Jerome, daughter of Brianna Crawford and Alex Jerome and granddaughter of Krewe member Christian Crawford; Luke Ogden Perniciaro, son of Michael Perniciaro and the late Lindsey Perniciaro and great nephew of Krewe member Genie Powers; Briggs Michael Shingleur, son of Hope and Michael Shingleur and great grandson of Krewe member Donna Lerma; and Adalyn Kate Wagner, daughter of Brooklyn Crawford and Tyler Wall and granddaughter of Krewe member Christian Crawford.
Each of the maids represented festive experiences that we as Louisianians love to do on a Saturday night! Miss Destiny Elise Fagane, great granddaughter of Dr. Pressley and Krewe member Ann Cambell represented "Southern Belle", a charm to be found on the arm of any Louisiana man. Miss Fagane was escorted by her great grandfather. Miss Maci Elizabeth Watson, daughter of Krewe member Heather and Darrell Watson, represented "Jazzy Nights" and the smooth sounds of jazz heard throughout the Historic Old French Quarter. She was escorted by her father. Miss Aubrey Jordan-Marie Beale, daughter of Jennifer Beale and Gareth Beale, represented "Sportsman's Paradise" as our Louisiana hunters love to spend their time fishing and hunting. She was escorted by her father and Mr. Jay Bailey. Miss Beale was sponsored by Krewe Board member Carla Brown. Miss Josephine "Josie" Grace D'Aquilla, daughter of Kelly and Andrew D'Aquilla, represented "Mardi Gras" and all things that the Carnival season brings to mind ~ the masks, king cakes, and throws. She was escorted by her father. Miss D'Aquilla was sponsored by her great aunt and Past Ball Captain Brenda Torrence. Miss Harleigh Michelle Melancon, daughter of Amanda and Jim King and Rita and Kayde Melancon, represented the spicy "Seafood Boil" enjoyed by so many, complete with shrimp, crabs, and crawfish! She was escorted by her father and her step-father. She is the oldest granddaughter of Ball Captain Kim Mitchell and King Romany LXXII Bobby Mitchell. Miss Melancon was sponsored by Ball Captain Kim Mitchell. Miss Raegan Taylor Gravois, daughter of Ashley and Taylor Gravois, represented Louisiana Saturday night at the "Riverboat Casino" and hitting a jackpot! She was escorted by her father. Miss Gravois was sponsored by Krewe Board member Adrienne Vaughn.
Taking their final bow were members of the 2023 court: Ball Captain Tara Schwartz, Queen Romany LXXIII Mary Elizabeth Barksdale, King Romany LXXIII Timothy Seilhan, and maids Abby Lynn Schwartz, Karah Laine DiVincenti, Camille Paige Duvernay, Brenley Ann Murry, and Teagan Hope Griffin.
Also recognized were Past Ball Captains: 1979 Ms. Jynx Marcel, 1990 Mrs. Jenny Anding, 1995 Ms. Jerisse Grantham, 1997 Ms. Jean Sharp, 1999 Ms. Nancy David, 2000 Mrs. Carol Bizette, 2003 Mrs. Rachel Grace, 2005 Mrs. Debra Tarter, 2006 Mrs. Lisa Losby, 2007 Mrs. Susan Barnett, 2010 Mrs. Karen Corkern, 2011 Mrs. Belinda Estep, 2012 Mrs. Tammi Williams, 2013 Mrs. Amy Varnado, 2014 Mrs. Toni Richard, 2015 Mrs. Melissa Tolson, 2017 Mrs. Kay Sonnier, 2018 Mrs. Terrie Cavalier, 2019 Mrs. Brenda Torrence, 2020 Mrs. Brandi AlJariri, 2021-2022 Mrs. Maria Rowland. A special tribute was made to the late Ms. Peggy Moore, 1992 Ball Captain. Peggy was the Ball Captain Kim Mitchell's and Board President Heather St. Germain's sponsor into the Krewe.
The Krewe board members were introduced, including President Heather St. Germain, Vice President Ashley Fabre, Treasurer Collette Lambert, Secretary Chelsea LeMieux, Members at Large Carla Brown and Adrienne Vaughn, Special Advisor Toni Richard and Past Ball Captain Tara Schwartz.
As is tradition, the Ladies of the Krewe dazzled the audience in a group production of dancing to songs steeped in Louisiana traditions. Krewe member and Past Ball Captain Jerisse Grantham choreographed members starting with the song, "Jambalaya" by Rockin Dopsie, Jr. Additional
members joined in with "Born to Boogie" by Hank Williams, Jr. and the Krewe couples brought the group together with their moves to "Louisiana Zydeco" by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
Robert Chandler was master of ceremonies. Stage attendants were: King Romany LXXII Bobby Mitchell, Queen's father Brent Lambert, Brant Richard, Neil St. Germain, Jeremy LeMieux, and Matthew Vaughn.
Aimee Burslem designed and sketched the court's costumes, as well as assisted in the construction of the costumes with D&D Creations, Inc. Tony Arieux, of American Audio Visual, executed stage design and sound was produced by Bill Bennett of Sound South.
Following the tableau, the ball continued with dancing to music by the talented band Rewind.