1-15-11 The Birthday Diva
Friends:
Saturday, January 15 was my birthday and I had a fabulous party. We had a murder mystery party set at a Roaring 20s Chicago Speakeasy.
1-15-11 The Diva Dianne Sign
For two days, we prepped the food and party decor. It turned out great! On the buffet we had: marinated asparagus, alfredo cheese pasta bake in ramekins, Italian meatballs, caprese flatbread, Caesar salad, mushrooms with Italian sausage, Gouda cheese plate, and Eliana’s marinara. On a side table, we had peppercorn beef brisket, Parmesan chicken tenders, and ranch roasted potatoes.
1-15-11 The 4 Deuces Speakeasy Murder Mystery Birthday Buffet
We also had appetizers on the coffee table: deviled eggs made by my friend, Karen, lumpia (Filipino eggrolls) made by my mom, Josie, and roasted pears wrapped in prosciutto. There was also garlic-stuffed olives on queso fresco (Mexican cheese) and puff pasty topped with spinach ricotta.
1-15-11 Appetizers!
Eliana and her friend, Maci, were also dressed up. They were so cute! They were also so helpful during the party, helping to facilitate the night’s events!
1-15-11 Maci as a gangster and Eliana as a diva
We had a fountain featuring 4 Deuces punch (a tasty Caribbean-like concoction not for the kiddos).
1-15-11 Tropical Punch Fountain with Karen AKA Donna Wannabe in the background
I had gorgeous cupcakes made with cards and card suits to “suit” the theme.
1-15-11 The 4 Deuces Cupcakes
Everyone came dressed in costume. It was awesome! Loved the gangsters and flappers!
1-15-11 Donna Wannabe (Karen Spahr) and her brother Don Wannabe (Antonio Casas)
It was a parade of fedoras, fishnets and feathers!
1-15-11 Holly Stone-Barker as Mary Toosteal and Heather Stone as Vanessa Crooner
The evening started with everyone mingling and finding out about each other’s characters. I was Madame Meme and my husband was Don Wannabe. We were the owners of the 4 Deuces Speakeasy.
1-15-11 Antonio AKA Don Wannabe and Dianne AKA Madame Meme
We had a lot of colorful characters, including a congressman!
1-15-11 Dianne AKA Madame Meme with Wayne Barker AKA Congressman Toosteal
Carrie Crooner-Ravioli was the jazz singer played by my 20 year old daughter, Soleil.
1-15-11 Soleil AKA Carrie Crooner-Ravioli and Holly AKA Serina Siren
My mom, Josie Chretien, played Rebecca Ravioli, daughter of Big Jim Ravioli.
1-15-11 Josie Chretien (Dianne's Mom) as Rebecca Ravioli
Harold Rihner was Big Jim Ravioli, the murder victim!
1-15-11 Harold Rihner AKA Big Jim Ravioli
My brother, Gary James, a police officer in real life, played Inspector Nutella.
1-15-11 Gary James (Dianne's brother) as Inspector Nutella, the police officer
My two illustrators came all the way from Baton Rouge to join my party! Woo hoo!
1-15-11 Holly Stone-Barker, Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry (AKA Attorney Penny Cheatum)
It was a complicated plot and there was a lot of double-crossing, back-stabbing, and two-timing going on! My character, Madame Meme, had a key piece of written evidence. Everyone participated and I loved all the costumes!
1-15-11 Kathleen Gebbia AKA Guilda Guiseppi and John Gebbia AKA Jack Guiseppi
As people were milling about, gathering information, the lights went out, there was a loud pop, and Big Jim Ravioli ended up murdered.
1-15-11 The lights go out and Big Jim Ravioli croaks!
Everyone was given a chance to find a murder weapon and had to solve puzzles to go on a scavenger hunt. During the night’s mystery, another murder occurred, in an unexpected twist of events. Guilda Guiseppi found a murder weapon and killed Don Wannabe (Madame Meme’s husband) with an ice pick.
1-15-11 Everyone solving puzzles to find murder weapons
We had to look over evidence presented by the inspector and come to our conclusions. Whodunnit? We had winners in different categories: Best Sleuth (the won who solved the mystery), Best Female Costume, Best Male Costume, and Best Performer. Clay Chretien (Capo Toto Tequila, Boss of all Bosses) won for Super Sleuth. Karen Spahr (Donna Wannabe) won for Best Female Costume. John Gebbia (Greasy Jack Guiseppi) won for Best Male Costume. The Best Performer Prize went to Harold Rihner for his double role as Big Jim Ravioli (the murder victim) and Mayor Bumpkin.
1-15-11 Dianne (middle) with 4 Deuces Speakeasy Murder Mystery Trophy Winners!
It was amazing to share my special day with all the special people in my life – people who make my life better just for being in it. It made my 41st year in this world so meaningful!
1-15-11 Diva Dianne getting ready to blow out her birthday candle
It was an amazing night and I am overjoyed to have shared it with my family and friends. Thank you so much!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
Thank you, your majesties! Thank you to everyone: fans, friends, and family who came to support us as we unveiled our fun new book, There’s A Dragon in the Library. We even had someone drive in from as far away as Lafayette! WOW!
