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LifeQuest Benefit Concert
The 18 members of the Memphis Jazz Orchestra came together in the name of service for the sixth annual LifeQuest Benefit Concert. Held in early November at Lindenwood Christian Church’s Stauffer Hall, the concert raised funds for LifeQuest, a counseling center at Lindenwood that charges clients on a sliding scale based on income; previous beneficiaries include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Salvation Army. Prior to the concert, jazz lovers gathered in the church’s foyer for hors d’oeuvres and wine. Featured vocalists included JoJo Jefferies, Marcela Pinilla, Jeremy Slater and LaDon Jones. Memphis Drum Shop owners Nancy and Jim Pettit presented the concert in conjunction with the Scott Nelson Pettit Foundation. |
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Curtain Up: A Taste of Playhouse
Playhouse on the Square’s annual fund-raiser Curtain Up: A Taste of Playhouse featured five parties in one. Utilizing its new space and many levels, the theater troupe themed different areas of the 35,000-square-foot theater to maximize the party spirit. From a CountryJazzyGrassyTonk beer tasting to a Vaudeville Speakeasy and from wine and Champagne to Indiepop Jello Shot and a Zydeco Martini Lounge, no drink was left unturned. And no theater party is complete without costumes, with troupe members dressed in drag, partygoers seen in a variety of garb provided to them in the Viva Memphis Photo Booth and Playhouse supporters who attended in their jazziest ensembles. The evening also had a wide array of musical choices, including groups such as the Magic Kids, Black Max, Grace Askew, Fille Catatonique, Tout le Mon and Nay-Nay and the Do Right Boys providing the party soundtrack. |
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Freedom Award Ceremony
Hollywood might have the Oscars with Brangelina, George Clooney and Meryl Streep, but Memphis has its Freedom Award Ceremony, complete with David Porter, Alonzo Mourning and D’Army Bailey, and a red carpet affair it was. More than 19 honorees, including Danny Glover, Cicely Tyson and Usher, were recognized at the National Civil Rights Museum fund-raiser. Others who made a grand entrance and walked the red carpet to the ceremony included actress Wendy Raquel Robinson, Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles and Dr. Bill Frist. The event was held in conjunction with the museum’s 20th anniversary and took place at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Close to 2,000 people attended.
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Snuggie Pub Crawl
Snuggie wearers invaded Beale Street this past November not just to show off their best-decorated “blanket with sleeves,” but to also support a good cause by participating in the Beale Street Snuggie Pub Crawl. In its third year, the pub crawl was bigger than ever thanks to more venues added to a schedule that began with a check-in at Kooky Canuck, where guests paid entry fees of $15 (A portion of entry fees was donated to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.). Patrons then progressed to BB King’s, Club 152, Silky O’Sullivan’s, Rum Boogie Café and Alfred’s, which featured an awards ceremony and prizes for the “SNAZZY Snuggie” Contest and the Beale Street BINGO Run. River City Management Group presented the affair. |
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One of Memphis’ best-kept secrets is The Cotton Museum’s annual fund-raising Harvest Party, and, once again, Earnestine & Hazel’s was packed to the rafters with museum supporters. The Earnestine and Hazel’s house band had partygoers on their feet from the beginning of its first set, which finished with a rousing sing-along of “In Them Old Cotton Fields,” and just as much of a treat was the elegant and tasty cocktail buffet featuring the bar’s famous Soul Burgers. There were deals to be had as a live auction held at intermission had guests intent on bidding for some prized items, like “A Night Out in the Bluff City” (dinner for two at Itta Bena, premium tickets to “Million Dollar Quartet” at The Orpheum, a night at the River Inn with a full gourmet breakfast for two at Paulette’s); a Kona bicycle from Victory Bicycle Studio; a vacation to the Delta (dinner for two at Giardina’s Restaurant in Greenwood, a night at The Alluvian Hotel complete with a day at the Alluvian Spa); and golf lessons from Drew Simmons at Chickasaw Country Club. Organizers were pleased with both the turnout and the auction proceeds from the fifth Harvest Party. |
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MCA Holiday Bazaar
Savvy early shoppers and holiday merrymakers mobbed Ted Rust Hall for the annual Memphis College of Art Holiday Bazaar. Now a 62-year tradition, this bonanza of one-of-a-kind arts and crafts ushers in the season of celebrating with something for everyone: ceramics, paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, handmade paper and more, all created by students, alumni or faculty of MCA. Textile handbags in bold prints and interesting shapes by Samilia Mary Colar drew attention, as did Marian Lea McKinney’s jewelry, made from re-purposed silver serving trays. Folks saw friends old and new and left crowing over their fantastic buys. |
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SPAYtacular
It may have been raining cats and dogs outside, but foul weather couldn’t dampen SPAYtacular 2011, which packed the Parkview’s Azalea Room with more than 150 pet lovers. Now in its fifth run, SPAYtacular tackles the problem of pet overpopulation by funding a dedicated low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Supporters of the cause sipped wine while socializing over a scrumptious spread that included several vegetarian options, as well as some adorable paw and dog bone-shaped cookies handmade by volunteer Courtney Richardson. The enormous silent auction offered goodies for pets, like gift baskets from Hollywood Feed and Three Dog Bakery, and goodies for pet owners, such as several bottles of Three Cats Moselland riesling and Fat Cat chardonnay and animal-themed art by favorites like Angi Cooper and George Rodrigue.
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Memphis Art Collective Holiday Artist Market and Silent Auction
The Memphis Art Collective put on a festive Holiday Artist Market and Silent Auction featuring original art and handmade crafts by local artists and artisans. In addition to food, wine and a silent auction to benefit Mewtopia Cat Rescue, the market featured guitar music by Paul Taylor. The auction included gift items donated by members of the Memphis Art Collective and others, and it ensured that shoppers playing Santa Claus were also able to support their friends with paws. Aromatic, natural soaps from Buckeye Hollow drew a crowd, as did the millinery of Dinah Makowsky and whimsical aprons by Carolyn Olivia Dodson-King.
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Facing History and Ourselves Memphis Benefit Dinner
About 800 people gathered at The Peabody for the 15th annual Memphis Benefit Dinner for Facing History and Ourselves. The dinner began with a lettuce wedge served with bleu cheese dressing, followed by an entree of salmon and beef tenderloin slices with demi-glace, potatoes and asparagus. Coffee and a choice of chocolate mousse or banana chocolate chip cheesecake finished off the meal. Wes Moore, author of The Other Wes Moore, spoke afterward about his book, which details the life of another young man from his Baltimore neighborhood with the same name, who made poor choices and is serving a life sentence in prison, and the special relationship the two developed. Facing History and Ourselves teaches young people about historical social events and ways in which valuable lessons can be learned from mistakes made in the past. |
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MULYP Agents of Change Awards
A large crowd filled the Clark Opera Memphis Center to honor the accomplishments of young minority leaders in the community. A sold-out event, the Agents of Change Awards was started in 2010 as a means to acknowledge the great contributions these young men and women have made and to ensure they receive continued support from the Memphis Urban League Young Professionals. Some of the 10 different categories included Committed Doer, Schooling Our Future, Innovator of the Year and Living Legend. A buffet was served, and following closing remarks by MULYP president Lori Spicer, partygoers enjoyed the Jingle Mingle Mixer.
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Memphis Symphony League’s “Magical Holiday Party”
There was indeed magic in the air at the Memphis Symphony League’s “Magical Holiday Party, benefiting the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s “Music in the Schools” program. The party, held in the Crescent Center lobby, featured a cocktail buffet and music by the a cappella group Beg to Differ of Memphis University School. A small silent auction featured one-of-a-kind items, including a stunning strapless evening gown once worn by Marguerite Piazza, the honoree. MSO conductor Mei-Ann Chen and Stilian Kirov, assistant conductor, were among the guests paying tribute to Piazza. Lura Turner, socialite and songbird, entertained the group with an aria from “La Bohème,” followed by “Till There Was You” from “The Music Man,” in which Piazza once starred on Broadway.
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River Oaks Garden Club Christmas Party
River Oaks Garden Club members placed unwrapped gifts into a huge sleigh when they arrived at the club’s annual Christmas Party, held at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club. On each seat hung a Santa hat, which set the festive mood for the event, and chocolates were strewn at each place setting. After enjoying a festive grog, members were seated at tables adorned with large Santa figures encircled by wreaths made of fresh fir and enjoyed a lunch of chicken breast with mushroom sauce, rice pilaf and tomato stuffed with a spinach cheese medley. During lunch, Ginger Statom sang traditional Christmas tunes as her husband, Gabriel, accompanied her on the piano. A dessert of rich peppermint ice cream pie came next, and to conclude the event, two Marines came in to thank the club for its participation in the Toys for Tots program, and to load up the many gifts.
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Leadership Memphis Holiday Party
The 2011 Leadership Memphis Holiday Party, presented by Tactical Magic, was well attended with more than 500 alumni coming out to the Pink Palace Museum. Due to it being the season of giving, Leadership Memphis teamed up with the Mid-South Food Bank for a food drive with a goal of 500 cans, however alumni attendees exceeded that expectation by donating nearly 1,000 cans.
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National Philanthropy Day Crystal Awards Luncheon
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis Chapter hosted the National Philanthropy Day Crystal Awards Luncheon to coincide with National Philanthropy Day’s 25th anniversary. Past Crystal Award recipient Joe Birch of WMC-TV 5 emceed the event at the U of M Holiday Inn and was told by Outstanding Volunteer Fund-raiser Shannon Brown of FedEx, “Now, I can say I belong to the same esteemed club as you!” Other recipients were Emergency Mobile Health Care-Spirit of Philanthropy; Duncan-Williams Investment Bankers-Outstanding Corporation; Caesars Entertain-ment-Partners in Philanthropy; Susan Schadt of Arts Memphis-Outstanding Executive Leader; Linda McNeil of BRIDGES-Outstanding Fund-raising Executive; and James McGehee-Outstanding Philanthropist.
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Woman’s Exchange Christmas Gala
The Woman’s Exchange Tea Room stayed open for dinner last December being that it was the organization’s annual Christmas Gala. For the occasion, Chef “Rev” Bailey always prepares his specialties, and this time was no different, with him creating dinners of beef tenderloin, Rev’s special potatoes, salad, homemade rolls and crème brulee. Anne Piper-White chaired the gala, and some members helping serve included Ginger Chapman, Barbara Hanemann, Nancy Masterson and Susie Richmond, who smiled, “I have helped serve before at the gala—I enjoy it.”
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Salvation Army Christmas Luncheon
It was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Christmas Luncheon, aptly themed “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas.” Members began the afternoon at the University Club by eyeing exquisite cakes in a gourmet cake auction that featured flavors from the ultimate coconut cake, which weighed 12 pounds at six layers, to Daddy’s nut and raisin cake. As lunch transpired, Briarcrest Christian School’s chamber choir, OneVoice, sang carols, and bringing even more cheer was the auxiliary’s $9,000 donation ($3,000 was given by an anonymous donor at the door) to Major Rhea Dawn Woodcock to continue the Salvation Army’s invaluable services.
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Duration Fine Arts Club Christmas Luncheon
Phyllis Pollard, Dee Davenport and Ruthie McCallen teamed up as co-chairs to bring Duration Fine Arts Club members a memorable Christmas Luncheon at Chickasaw Country Club. Every table glistened with striking centerpieces of glittery green reindeer surrounded by snow and mini orna-ments, and each was offered for sale as a fund-raiser. After guests dined, women’s a cappella group Take Note, accompanied by Mary Lawrence Flinn on keys, performed cheerful holiday songs, and attendees were also informed that the club had given a donation to the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.
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Four Seasons/Memory Inc. Christmas Party
Denise and Ben Wheeler opened their residence, the historic Beverly Hall, up for the benefit of Four Seasons/Memory Inc., an organization helping those fighting Alzheimer’s. The affair served as the group’s Christmas Party, complete with carol singing, stocking stuffers for sale and a lunch by Party Tenders. Club president Mary Jane Criss used the opportunity to distribute $16,000 among representatives of several notable charities: Jean Skorupa-Moore-Alzheimer’s Day Services; Martha Boyd and John Webb-Trezevant Manor; Ann Langston-Church Health Center; and Herbie Krisle-Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center.
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