Rouge et Blanc 2023 Preview

The reds, the whites, the sun sinking into the October evening sky – everyone’s favorite evening is on the books and this year, Rouge et Blanc is shaking it up. As tickets go on sale, Thrive caught up with Banners at McNeese for the rundown on what wine lovers can expect for this year’s event and how to make the most of the Rouge experience. Imbibers and patrons alike can look forward to changes that only make Southwest Louisiana’s premiere annual wine and food event better than before. Familiar faces and elevated experiences await. Read on to learn more about the who, what, and why of vino and good times!

by Taylor Trahan Henry

Ticket Purchase Information:
Visit www.banners.org
Until July 13 – Imbibers Only
July 14 – On Sale to Public

October 7, 2023
McNeese State University
Rouge et Blanc happens rain or shine!

New to Rouge

Since 2006, Banners at McNeese has presented Rouge et Blanc annually to patrons from all across Southwest Louisiana and East Texas. Organizers are constantly seeking ways, both big and small, to elevate the attendee experience and make Rouge an afternoon you’re not soon to forget.

Going Green!

Previously, paper tickets were given to Rouge patrons. To simplify the process for both purchasers and volunteers assisting with entry, all tickets will be handled electronically in 2023. Tickets can be purchased online and please select E-Ticket as the delivery option. Your E-ticket, on your mobile device or printed, will be validated at the gate for your 2023 Rouge et Blanc lanyard. A physical ticket will no longer be required for entry.

A Familiar Face Returns

Republic National Distributing Company is making a return as a wine distributor for this year’s event. “We could not be more thrilled to announce the return of Republic,” says Dr. Brook Hanneman, executive director of Banners at McNeese. “I cannot over articulate how much our distributors mean to us. They supply the product that fuels the entire fundraiser and so they have a direct hand in raising the quality of the experience for our patrons.” Their high praises continued to be sung. “For the first several years, they donated every single bottle we tasted at Rouge,” says Banners at McNeese and Event Founder Mary Richardson. “Their personnel were in the room when Banners was first discussing the idea of a wine and food festival in Lake Charles. Rouge et Blanc would never have come into being without Republic’s generosity, so it’s a great treat to have them back.”
Rouge distributors are key for this event. Companies like Southern Glazers, Neat Wine, Southwest Beverage, Republic, International Wine and Spirits, Mystic Vine, Fleur de LA Imports, Select Wines, and Uncorked Fine Wines contribute mightily to the product necessary to make this fundraiser a success.

Imbiber Upgrade

Imbibers and Imperial Imbibers are Rouge supporters who have previously purchased over $250 and $500 of wine, respectively, at the event. These purchases add income to the fundraiser proceeds which underwrites the Banners Spring Cultural Season and helps support year-round free outreach and programming for our youth, seniors, educators, and first responders. “Because of their vital support, we wanted to really let these philanthropists feel our gratitude,” says Dr. Hanneman. “So, this year, for the first time in Rouge history, Imbibers will be given exclusive access to the main tasting from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, one hour prior to the official event start time. Then, we will kick up the entertainment into full gear and welcome our other valued supporters to join in the revelry.” All Gold Ticket holders may enter at 2:00 PM and Red Ticket holders may enter at 3:00 PM.

Top Prize for Good Eats

What pairs perfectly with great wine? Great food, of course! Each year, Rouge hosts a battle between vendors for the best dish. Several longtime favorites mark this event on their calendar annually and, at the time of print, the number of vendors registered had almost topped last year’s total. “This year there will be a $1,000 cash prize to the winner of our food judging competition sponsored by Lake Area Adventures,” says Dr. Hanneman. “Chef Amanda Cusey will be our star judge.” Chef Cusey says, “We have some amazingly talented chefs in this town. This is our way of showing our appreciation and incentivizing them to really bring their A-game to this event.”

The Patron Experience

Imbibers are Rouge et Blanc Supporters who have previously purchased $250 worth of wine at the event. These philanthropists are key to the fundraising mission and to the incredible work Banners at McNeese does throughout the season. Perks include early access to ticket sales in the year following, a party before the party, Savour du Lac, and, new this year, a one hour pre-entry into Rouge et Blanc Grand Tasting. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first time Rouge patron, you may be wondering if the Rouge experience is for you. Thrive caught up with a few generous donors to get the information straight from the source, and we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Mary Richardson, Founder, Banners at McNeese and Rouge et Blanc

“There is a whole world of wines out there, and at Rouge we have a chance to taste wines we might never have tasted on our own. At the event, we can talk to people who care passionately about their wines. Then, there is the magic of pairing these wines with foods from the best restaurants in Southwest Louisiana.”

Victor Wukovits, Imbiber and Sponsor

“As a resident of Southwest Louisiana, I am thrilled to have an organization like Banners to provide cultural enrichment throughout our community. I have been able to witness some extraordinary performances thanks to this program, which derives all its funding from Rouge et Blanc, the seminal wine and food event in SWLA. This amazing, fun event fuels some of the best performances.”

Willie Mount, Imbiber

“I absolutely love this event!  My favorite part is seeing everyone enjoying themselves and supporting Banners! The best part about Rouge is the opportunity to taste very special wines in a great environment. I highly recommend you take this opportunity to enjoy exceptional wines with your investment in Banners.”

Angela Queenan, Imbiber

“As far as being an Imbiber goes, that is an easy one. You get to taste great wine and buy great wine all while supporting a great cause – being able to buy a gold ticket for the next year is just icing on the cake. Rouge et Blanc has always been one of my favorite local events. It was the first of its kind when it started.  There was no other local event where one could taste so many different wines and eat great food while visiting with everyone you know in Lake Charles.  The beautiful fall weather, the wine, the food, the friends – it’s my favorite!”

Imbiber Program

Imbibers: Purchase $250-$499 in wine (pre-tax) from the previous cycle of Rouge events.

Imperial Imbibers: Purchase $500+ in wine (pre-tax) from the previous cycle of Rouge events.

Imbiber Perks

• Exclusive access to the Main Tasting for Imbibers from 2pm to 3pm
• Access to two gold tickets during pre-sale.
• Large wine glass during Main Tasting
• VIP entrance
• Opportunity to purchase one VIP Parking Pass and VIP tables while supplies last

Note: Imbiber totals are calculated on the pre-tax total and attributed to the name on the order form.

Party With a Purpose

Everyone knows that Rouge et Blanc is one of the best annual events in the Southwest Louisiana social scene. But do you know WHY organizers work so diligently to plan it, year after year? The answer is a simple one – so Banners can do what it does. Except that what Banners does is anything but simple.

“It really isn’t possible to adequately express the profound impact that Rouge fundraising dollars have on our community,” says Dr. Brook Hanneman, executive director of Banners. “The proceeds benefit a staggeringly diverse group of beneficiaries, including our local youth, first responders, educators, and area seniors. I wish all the fundraiser’s supporters could experience the magical moments they help to make possible.”

With the help of the Banners team, Thrive is bringing you those magical moments of the cultural season.

Notes of Nostalgia

In the aftermath of the pandemic and the string of natural disasters that hit Southwest Louisiana, our local senior homes were some of the last communities to return to normalcy. “Some of our most touching moments came from artist visits to places like Rosewood and Landmark of Lake Charles,” says Dr. Hanneman. “Steinway Pianist Robin Spielberg played twice for senior home residents. Her last visit featured classic standards from the silver screen and Broadway and it was glorious to witness residents lifting their voices and filling the room with the strains of nostalgic favorites from their youth.” Many in the audience were confined to beds or unable to travel for other reasons. The outreach wing of Banners provides these seniors with an opportunity to see live music again.

A Casual Choral Encounter

Amorahh Wesley, a recent Music Education graduate of McNeese State, was another musician who shared a particularly magical experience with area seniors when she visited a wander-risk wing of a Lake Charles senior home which houses dementia and Alzheimer’s residents. “She had accompanied me to simply play casually in the common area,” says Dr. Hanneman. “And, at the first strains of her violin, the residents organically turned their bodies towards the music.” Wesley’s final song was a well-known holiday carol, and without prompting, the residents began to sing along. Many of these residents were so far advanced in their various conditions that they spent their days without speech at all, and yet music had given them back their voices. “I had visited that hall many times and knew that most of them had not spoken a full sentence for months if not years, and yet there they were smiling and singing the lyrics fully,” says Dr. Hanneman. “I had to sit alone in my car to compose myself after that visit because the power and the beauty of the experience was overwhelming.”

Bold and Brave

Sons of Mystro, a violin duo that plays over ten genres of popular music, visited Chris Gunter’s high school and middle school strings performance group at S. J. Welsh Middle School. During that particular visit, they introduced a room of young musicians to musical improvisation for the first time. “They set down a base beat and the room was filled with forty to fifty kids who supported with a foundation beat while one by one children were chosen to weave their own music into the whole,” says Dr. Hanneman. “Most of the kids had never heard of musical improvisation, and though it took great bravery to jump in with these lauded professionals, they experienced for the first time what it felt like to play from the heart.” Later that evening, those same children took the stage with Sons of Mystro to fill the Banners audience with joy at the sounds of Pharell’s “Happy.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Leo P., the baritone saxophonist with shocking technicolor hair who went from busking in New York subways to being a featured artist at the Royal Albert Hall, conducted a jazz clinic for university students. They performed for him and were treated to hands-on direction and feedback. “Later that night, in the lobby before that show, the mother of a nine-year-old music student came to me to tell me that Leo P. was her son’s idol,” says Dr. Hanneman. “He had no idea he was about to see him on stage. His mom saw he was playing and got them tickets as a surprise. Immediately after the show, I saw them again. The boy was over the moon. He begged his mom to speed them home to get his saxophone so Leo could sign it after.” Rouge et Blanc fundraising benefitting Banners programming brought this boy face-to-face with one of his idols.

Every dollar from ticketing, wine orders, sponsorships, and donations go towards advancing the mission of Banners at McNeese State University to elevate the cultural exposure and artistic offerings available to Southwest Louisiana. 

Everyone can be a philanthropist. Join us and party with a purpose!

Etiquette is Tasteful

Wine Tasting Etiquette goes beyond social rules. These guidelines can help you know what to expect at the Grand Tasting and how to make the most of it.

• It’s a Taste

The wine offered at each booth is a tasting-size pour, which is about one ounce. It’s poor etiquette to ask for more than you are served, or to quickly drink your serving and request a refill. If you want a second taste of a wine you enjoyed, you can return to that vendor later.

• Drink Water

Alcohol dehydrates the body, so sip water in between wines to hydrate. Water is provided at several locations throughout the event.

• Eat

There’s a reason Rouge et Blanc brings in incredible food vendors. Alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly and you’ll feel the impacts quicker on an empty stomach.

• Move Aside

Show consideration for fellow patrons. After getting your sample, step away to enjoy it. Vendors and those next to you in line will appreciate this courtesy.

• Discard

Pour out wine after you’ve had a sufficient taste if it’s one you don’t want to finish. Your pourer will not be offended! Residuals can be poured onto the grass or into the landscaping. There is also water located at each table to rinse out your glass. 

Faces Behind Rouge 

An event of this magnitude doesn’t succeed without the hard work and commitment of staff, volunteers, vendors, and so many more. As a patron at Rouge, you can expect a seamless experience as you flow through the incredible wines and delicious eats. Every detail has been thought of! Thrive caught up with the core team to get a behind the scenes look at Rouge and the many moving parts it takes to make it the success that it is.

Dr. Brook Hanemann, Director of Banners at McNeese
Years with Rouge: 5

What is your main role in preparation and on the day of Rouge?

“Randy and I are tasked with overseeing all aspects of the event, helping to set the space physically, assisting in providing staff, performers, and volunteers with support as needed, greeting patrons, troubleshooting, and attempting to anticipate needs as the day unfolds. When the last patrons leave, we are there to help clear the space and break down the footprint.”

What is the most exciting part about your job?

“We log about 30,000 steps on the day of the event which doesn’t account for the pre-staging and administrative duties that ramp up in the weeks and months before Rouge. So, the work itself can be taxing. but the strain all melts away the second I look out over the mass of patrons and support staff enjoying the event. I know that while Rouge looks like a beautiful party, it is a fundraiser that makes a significant impact on our community. Whenever I have a second to catch my breath and just look out over folks reveling at Rouge, I always feel a wash of deep gratitude. I am blessed with knowing how electric it feels when an auditorium full of children burst into applause because they just witnessed a show, were empowered through a workshop, or had their appreciation for art expanded through direct interaction with world-class practitioners that came to them in large part because Lake Charles loves and supports Rouge et Blanc. I deeply wish somehow that I could share that electricity with each and every supporter of Rouge.” 

Randy Partin, Assistant Director of Banners at McNeese State University
Years with Rouge: 10

What is your main role in preparation and on the day of Rouge?

“In preparing, it’s necessary to solicit and confirm restaurants and menus, inventory and order glassware, create a site layout, schedule tents, tables, chairs, tablecloths, entertainment, apply for permits and licenses, and assist with wine distributors, volunteers, security, signage, ticketing, marketing, patron communications, and hospitality. The work starts in May and has some level of activity every day thereafter until seven days post event. My goal on the day of the event is doing anything required to help the patrons enjoy themselves.”

What is the most exciting part of your job?

“The reward for me is knowing the pay-off for all the work and effort. The pay-off is that the community will have multiple opportunities to experience art and creativity in many different forms; and those who take advantage of the opportunities will forever remember those moments, broaden their perspective, experience the diversity of art forms, expand their cultural exposure, and have growth in the humanities.

Passion for the arts and the betterment of people are my driving forces and motivate me. Rouge et Blanc has happened in the past, and will at some point in the future, without my input but I am hopeful that my influence on the event is positive in making it more enjoyable for everyone involved.”

Brittany Menard, Volunteer Coordinator
Years with Rouge: 2

What is your main role in preparation and on the day of Rouge?

“As my title states, I work with our many incredible volunteers in getting all supplies ready. We organize, set the tables, hang signs, and handle all the details! On the day of the event, all volunteers serve the patrons by running the entry tables, check in, serving wine, and assisting throughout the event as needed. We are there to help and make sure everything runs smoothly.”

What is the most exciting part about your job?

“Is it possible to say everything? I love meeting new people and being surrounded by such amazing, creative people! From the vendors, the volunteers, the entertainment, the patrons, and everyone I encounter in between. It’s such a fun time! I pride myself on bringing those smiling faces to the event that are ready and willing to serve Rouge and the community.”

Claire Bankston, Certified Sommelier
Years with Rouge: 2

What is your main role in preparation and on the day of Rouge?

“I am the ‘Wine Handler’ and ‘Wine Mediator’ – I help with distributor and retailer management, direct all handling of product, and help us design the event in a way that focuses on enhancing the Rouge experience for wine lovers. The path you walk through Rouge is designed in detail, taking into account the various acidities, bodies, and types. Historically, Rouge et Blanc has been managed solely by Banners staff. So, it’s been exciting to come on board as their wine expert and assist this great event in that role.”

What is the most exciting part about your job?

“My favorite thing about Rouge? Watching the interaction between the guests and wine representatives, especially when there are questions about the wine being tasted. As a sommelier, I love hearing people wanting to learn more about the wines they drink and being interested in the process.”

Drink Responsibly

It’s true, you can’t get enough of the delicious wines at Rouge et Blanc! A sip here and a sip there can add up quickly. Banners at McNeese urges all patrons to utilize local rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Be on the lookout for signs throughout the event with rideshare information. Other ways to ensure your safety include:

• Designating a driver in your group.
• Hiring a driver. Having someone who is not attending the event drop you off and pick you up is a sure way to stay safe. A group of friends can pitch in for this cost!
• Make it fun by asking friends to join you in hiring a limo service.
• Utilizing rideshare or taxi services. Vouchers for Uber and Lyft will be available on-site for patrons of the event (limited quantities).

“I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this important fundraising event! Just remember to do so responsibly. If you need to, take advantage of the rideshare partnerships available at Rouge.” – Chief William Schuefens, McNeese Police Department