Event Review

Last Friday Night

By Tony Leggio
77

Katy Perry’s song “Last Friday Night” antics sums up the evening succinctly for those who went to the Friday Night Before Mardi Gras’ soiree at the Audubon Tea Room on Friday, February 28, 2014.

friday14It was a night of festive Carnival frivolity as this organization presented Extravaganza VX entitled 7 Deadly Sins.

Greed, Sloth, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, Anger and Pride were all represented in various costumes worn by the over two hundred guests in attendance.  The entertainment was non-stop as Mobile music pumped out the dance hits one after another keeping the dance floor crowded the entire night.  The cuisine was a scrumptious fare that included a specialty girts and barbecue shrimp bar.

There was an excellent silent auction as well as commemorative photos given to all in attendance as a souvenir of the evening.   The costume contest brought lots of entries but the big winners of the night were the Peacocks and the cast of Ab Fab.

The history of this noteworthy group came to life 27 years ago, during Mardi Gras 1985, when Dr. David Wood and Dr. Ivan Sherman invited friends into their home on the Friday night just before Mardi Gras. Their festive guests arrived in wigs and the tradition was born.  The party grew and became known as the “Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Bash”. Ivan and David never sent invitations and welcomed all who appeared at their door. By 1999, the attendance had grown to 350 wild and frequently outlandishly costumed partygoers.

Ivan agreed when Billy Henry and Ed Potratz suggested making the next Friday Night Before Mardi Gras (FNBMG) a fund-raiser for HIV and AIDS charities. Not until two weeks before the first party did any real interest surface and Extravaganza I at The Carrollton was a success. Extravaganzas II, III, IV, V and VI continued at The Carrollton and community support and attendance steadily grew.  In 2005, Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath flooded The Carrollton leaving FNBMG with no place to party. Nevertheless, in 2006, Extravaganza VII shined at Sean Cumming’s grand Esplanade Avenue Mansion. Extravaganza VIII carried the tradition to the Elms Mansion and Extravaganza IX took a little bumpy and notorious detour to The Venusian Garden.

FNBMG then decided it was high time to take the party to Uptown New Orleans and since 2009 has hosted the following Extravaganzas at the Audubon Tea Room:

* Extravaganza X – Divas at the Tea Room

* tbimauritius.com

* Extravaganza XI – Cirque du Sogay at the Tea Room

* Extravaganza XII – Mardi Gras Gaga at the Tea Room

* Extravaganza XIII – The Immortals Ball at the Tea Room

The FNBMG donates all proceeds after expenses to a myriad of local charities such as Food For Friends, the NO/AIDs Task Force, Project Lazarus, Forum For Equality, Belle Reve, New Orleans LGBT Community Center and PFLAG.

Touted as one of the craziest parties during Mardi Gras, FNBMG lived up to its reputation as costumed guests danced the night away, dines on award-winning cuisine, partook of flowing libations and enjoyed the Carnival atmosphere.  For more information on upcoming events or to become a host next year, go to www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com.

 

 

 

Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio is a born and raised New Orleanian. He has over 20 years of event management experience having produced over 5,000 events locally and nationally. Tony has received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry. Besides his professional career, Anthony has played an active role in the community.He has served Event Chair of Art Against AIDS for the No/Aids Task Force for the past ten years and was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 by the organization. He is also a freelance writer who has written for USA Today, as well as several local publications.He also writes a column regularly In Ambush Magazine, plus is part of Gambit’s Big Easy Theatre Committee.Tony is a social butterfly of New Orleans that not only knows how to put on a great event but also knows how to enjoy one.
Tony Leggio

Latest posts by Tony Leggio (see all)

Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio is a born and raised New Orleanian. He has over 20 years of event management experience having produced over 5,000 events locally and nationally. Tony has received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry. Besides his professional career, Anthony has played an active role in the community. He has served Event Chair of Art Against AIDS for the No/Aids Task Force for the past ten years and was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 by the organization. He is also a freelance writer who has written for USA Today, as well as several local publications. He also writes a column regularly In Ambush Magazine, plus is part of Gambit’s Big Easy Theatre Committee. Tony is a social butterfly of New Orleans that not only knows how to put on a great event but also knows how to enjoy one.

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