Krewe of Justinian parties 'Straight on til Morning' at Mardi Gras grand bal
Krewe Justinian's royal court and Grand Bal fans partied Jan. 13 under a full moon and stars in the dark sky to carry out Justinian Captain Amy Gardener Day's invitation theme "Straight on til Morning" at Horseshoe Riverdome.
And, straight it was until midnight.
The tableau wove "Peter Pan" into a script and is a quote from Peter Pan to Wendy, as they are flying to Neverland: "There it is, Wendy, second star on the right, then it's straight on til morning."
Ruling the magical black tie soiree: King XXX Donald E. Hathaway Jr. and Queen XXX Alison Byrd.
Court members: Dukes Mike Marino and Thomas Mayfield. Duchesses Valerie Gilmore and Claire Hill. Prince Thomas Hathaway and Princess Codi Setters.
Marty Johnson and Kenny Haines - President of the Shreveport Bar Association - served as masters of ceremony and Top Tile provided live entertainment, which kept guests dancing the night away until midnight - before or after a hardy breakfast.
Johnson and Haines also pointed out that a much-loved member, the late Lyn Lawrence, had died earlier in the year. Referring to Lawrence as a "Triple Threat," for he had been a duke, captain and king. Haines said Lawrence loved being a king.
VIPs seeing and being seen:
The queen's hubby and a former king, Caddo Dist. Judge Edwin Byrd
The king's wife and former queen Camille Hathaway
Caddo Dist. Judge Katherine Dorroh and hubby Bill Dorroh
Judge Jeff Cox, of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal and wife Susan
Paul and Marti Carmouche
Chris Slatten
Clara and Ryan Culp
Former Bossier-Webster Dist. Judge Ford Stinson and wife Suzanne Stinson
Elizabeth Glassell
Steve and Berry Glassell
John and Helen Herzog
Ron and Rose Weems
Jim and Sandy Hill
Merritt and Virginia Chastain
retired Judge Gene Bryson and wife Charlotte
Sally Gardener
Don Armand and his daughter
Ron and Natalie Miciotto
Brenda Cummings Pettit
Amy Brainard
Dana Southern
Dan and Robin Jones
Party Patter
1. Day's invitation featured a dark night, centered with a full moon, stars and Shreveport buildings lined up under another moon.
2. Prince Thomas is the son of King XXX Donald and Queen XX Camille Hathaway. He has just taken the bar exam and is working at the Law Firm of Charles Tabor.
3. Princess Codi is a law clerk for kings, Justinian kings, that is who are based at the 1st Judicial District Court: King XXIII Judge Brady O'Callaghan and King XXX Judge Donald Hathaway Jr.
4. The top 2023 Royals: Queen Justinian XXIX Susie Stinson and King Justinian XXIX Judge Maury Hicks. Quarterbacking the year: Captain XXIX Nancy Cooper.
5. Justinian queens followed a krewe tradition when they lined up at the stage entrance and surrounded the new Queen Alison to welcome her to the sisterhood.
6. Justinian is backed by the Shreveport Bar Association and fondly referred to as "The Lawyer's
Krewe."
Justinian Brunch: "The Morning After"
The next day, royals congregated in their "Sunday Best" at the Petroleum Club for mimosas and shrimp-and-grits breakfast.
Dukes Thomas Mayfield and Mike Marino and Duchesses Valerie Gilmore and Claire Hill hosted the traditional Royal Brunch.
Captain Amy welcomed the crowd pointing out that they were up early after a late night before. "I am happy you are all here," Day said.
"I had a blast," said King Donald. Referring to the ball, he said that although it had been a blast, it was so chaotic that it was something, too, of a blur.
Among the things he loved about serving as a top royal? "Meeting people I would never have met. I enjoyed it."
Also: Making a trip to New Orleans with the royal court, introducing them to "The Dungeon" bar. "It is a "dungeon" with heavy metal music. I enjoyed that."
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Krewe of Justinian parties at Mardi Gras grand bal Shreveport