The “Red and White” Le Grand Bal presented by the Lamar University Friends of the Arts will bring an evening of grace and elegance to Southeast Texas à la Truman Capote’s famed 1966 Black and White Ball. The gala evening, Saturday, March 21, will feature a silent art auction and reception in the Dishman Art Museum followed by fine dining, dancing and entertainment in the Montagne Center.
Albert Nolen is chairing this year’s event, which honors Tommy Vance and his wife, the former Jo Shear of Beaumont, longtime supporters of the arts at Lamar. Vance, a producer, celebrity manager and advertising executive, co-founded Lamar’s LU-llaby of Broadway, an evening of highlights from the musical stage that raised funds to support Lamar theater scholarships. He has also served as a guest lecturer for Lamar communication classes.
“I am so glad that Jo and Tommy are being recognized for all they’ve given to the community over the years and for their work with LU-llaby,” said Nolen. “They are so loved by the Lamar community and our own city community.”
An avid arts supporter, event chair Albert Nolen is a high school counselor, real estate agent and social columnist for The Examiner. In addition to his work with Friends of the Arts, he is on the advisory board for the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. A graduate of Lamar, Nolen has a bachelor’s in sociology, a teaching certificate in speech therapy and special education, a master’s in special education/diagnostics and counseling, and administrative certification.
Nolen is thrilled to chair “Red and White” Le Grand Bal. “I’ve work in education for more than 40 years. As a lead/senior counselor and testing coordinator, it is so important to me to help get scholarships for students going into their careers.”
“We have a terrific team working on the Bal this year,” said Russ Schultz, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. “Jo and Tommy are fixtures in the community and have been great supporters of Lamar University for many, many years. It’s fitting we honor them at Le Grand Bal for all they’ve done to make Beaumont a better place.
“I’m very pleased to have Albert as chairman this year,” Schultz continued. “He’s very well known in Southeast Texas, and with all of his contacts, he has the ability to put on a great party that will bring in lots of funds for the college and continue to make new friends for the university.”
The major annual fundraiser provides valuable support to the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Funds generated by the Bal enable the Friends of the Arts to support scholarships and educational enhancements such as master classes, visiting artists and trips to clinics and workshops that expand learning opportunities for students and add to faculty members’ academic credentials. These funds provide faculty enrichment and enable students to expand their horizons.
“We could not attract the caliber of students we do or offer the appropriate educational experiences without the support the Friends bring to us through fundraising and other activities,” said Schultz.
Entertainment at the Bal, from 8 p.m. to midnight, will be provided by The Night & Day Orchestra, under the direction of Wayne Dyess, professor of music at Lamar, and Commercial Art, a Houston band specializing in vintage soul, classic rock and a wide variety of music.
“Le Grand Bal brings the community together for one of the most fun events of the year,” said Nolen. “And the proceeds benefit the fine arts of a wonderful university.”
Guests will enjoy a shrimp station with remoulade and cocktail sauce; prime rib with horseradish sauce and stone ground mustard; savory orzo; eggplant lasagna; chicken roulade stuffed with mushrooms served on marsala sauce; cheese ravioli with marinara, cream, and pesto sauce; Caesar salad; and an antipasto tray. The taste-tempting desserts include panna cotta with assorted fresh fruit, chocolate raspberry truffles, marsala tarts, cannoli, and tiramisu.
The menu items will be prepared under the direction of Ricardo Saldana, executive chef for Chartwells, the Lamar catering service. Connie Schneider is Chartwells’ director of catering.
In addition to dining and dancing, guests will have the opportunity to bid on original artwork at the silent auction, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Dishman Art Museum. The art auction features about 350 works by students, faculty and alumni – a diverse range of original painting, drawing, print-making, photography, ceramics and jewelry. The exhibition is now on display in the Dishman Art Museum, which invites early bidding, said museum assistant Alicia Hargreaves. Visitors may submit bids during museum hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday), Hargreaves said. The Dishman Art Museum is on MLK Jr. Parkway at East Lavaca, phone (409) 880-8959.
The Friends of the Arts organized in 1973 under the leadership of then-Dean Brock Brentlinger, and staged its first Bal in 1975. The event continued with Jimmy Simmons at the helm when he was dean of the college. The event has raised millions of dollars for Lamar. Over the years, Lamar talents have shared the spotlight with nationally known entertainment headliners such as Cab Calloway, Jack Jones, Helen O’Connell, Jack Sheldon and Joe Williams. Activities, decor, entertainment and the overall evening are designed to reflect the talents of Lamar art, theater, music, dance and communication students.
Event committee members working with Albert Nolen include Julie Richardson, Le Grand Bal co-chair; Melanie Dishman, invitations; Lisa Parigi, reservations; Gerald Farha, underwriting; Christy Persia, underwriting co-chair; Melissa Edwards, decorations; Lynda Moncla, decorations co-chair; Iris Nathan, menu; Allison Getz, menu co-chair; Kurt Dyrhaug, art auction; Adonia Placette, atmosphere; and Sharon Forret and Louise Wood, publicity.
Le Grand Bal has run the gamut of motifs over the years, including: “Patriotic/1776" (1976), “European Elegance” (1978) “Las Vegas” (1980), “Roman Holiday” (1982), “Mexican Fiesta” (1983), “Old Vienna,” (1984), “Court of Louis XIV/Palace of Versailles” (1985), “Texas Sesquicentennial Garden Party” (1986); “Le Jazz Hot” (1987), “Under the Big Top” (1988) and “New York, New York” (1989).
Recent themes include “Renaissance of the Arts” (2008), honoring Gay and Bill Scott; “Treasures of the Gulf Coast” (2007), honoring Sheila and Walter Umphrey; “A Toast to the Arts” (2006), honoring Frank Messina; “Passport to the Arts” (2005), honoring Judy and George Dishman; “Spring into the Arts” (2004), honoring Nell McCallum Morris; “Viva Las Victor” (2003), honoring Vic Rogers; “King of the Road” (2002), honoring Jerry Reese; “2001: An Art Odyssey” (2001), honoring Lamar President Jimmy Simmons; “76 Trombones” (2000), honoring those who have supported the arts at Lamar; “Lamar’s 75th Anniversary” (1999), honoring Betty Greenberg; “The French Connection” (1998); “Rock Around the Clock” (1997); “Road to Rio” (1996); “An Affair to Remember” (1995); “A Night at the Oscars” (1994); and “Hooray for Hollywood” (1993).
“The Bal is a great evening from the time we open the doors at the Dishman and bid on beautiful artwork to the last dance in the Montagne Center,” said Schultz. “I’m always amazed each year at the people who stay until midnight for the last dance because they’re having such a good time.”
Tickets are $150 per person or $300 per couple, with underwriting opportunities available at levels ranging from $750 to $10,000. For additional information or reservations, call the Lamar University College of Fine Arts and Communication, (409) 880-8137.
