A 50th Birthday Bash Straight Out of the 1920s

Last weekend I had the honor of drawing caricatures at a 50th birthday celebration in New Orleans’ famous Garden District, and let me tell you—it felt like stepping straight into the 1920s.

The mansion Angelle rented for the occasion was dripping with old-world elegance. Chandeliers glittered in every room, wrought-iron balconies wrapped the house in graceful curves, and everywhere you looked, there was another touch of grandeur.

And the party itself? Nothing short of spectacular.

• A live brass band filled the air with Louis Armstrong classics.

• White-gloved servers moved through the crowd like something out of The Great Gatsby.

• The food spread rivaled a Las Vegas buffet.

And then there was me, happily tucked into a corner, sketching away.

Caricatures and Characters

This was no ordinary guest list. One gentleman turned out to be a rocket scientist—literally. His wife, also a scientist, sat for me, and I actually did feel like I was drawing Einstein. Later in the evening, after I was officially off the clock, I ended up in a long conversation with a novelist. Since I’m also working on my own historical fiction novel (set in 1755 about the Cajuns, my people), it felt like one of those serendipitous connections that you don’t forget.

A Second Chance at a Portrait

At one point, Angelle, the host herself, slipped up beside me and whispered, “Would you stay a little later if we need?” I said yes—but with one condition. Could I draw her again? I wasn’t happy with my first sketch, and as it turned out, neither was she. So we tried again. The second time, it clicked. She was happy, and so was I. That moment was a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect all the time; what matters is giving people something they love.

A Perfect Milestone

As the night wound down, music still playing and laughter spilling out into the courtyard, I looked around at the sparkling chandeliers, the joyous guests, and the birthday girl herself. It was the kind of evening you don’t forget—elegant, joyful, and full of life.

A perfect party to mark a 50th.

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✨ If you’re planning a milestone celebration, wedding, or corporate event and want entertainment that’s as unforgettable as the occasion itself, I’d love to help bring the fun to your event

Contact me at kathybuskett@gmail.com or you can reach me by phone at 251-215-5563

Caricatures by kathy.

Flattering. Fast. Unforgettable.