Category: We Saw You

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: Bacon & Bourbon

Tyrone and Melissa Randall (Photos: Michael Donahue)

The Memphis Flyer’s Bacon & Bourbon event should be renamed “Bacon, Bourbon, & the Sunset” when it’s held at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park.

“With the sunset over Hyde Lake,” says event producer Molly Willmott, “you do anything there at that time of day and the sun is like part of your event.”

Lee Smith
William Walsh and Tom Fjord
Brent Baggett and
Annie Fogelman

The event, which was held September 20th at the FedEx Event Center, drew around 700 people. “We had 10 of Memphis’ best restaurants and caterers showcasing their great tastes. Then we had bourbon and whiskey partners sampling bourbon and whiskeys.”

Some people line danced, but most people appeared to line stand as they waited for their samples.

Alex Guerrero
Trenika Matthews and Camille Fulton
Laura Pate and
David Freeman

The fare might be bacon slices, as in the case of Buster’s Butcher, or it might include pork bellies, which was used in the Tekila Mexican Cuisine offering. But all the food “has to have some kind of pork element,” says Willmott.

If you missed Bacon & Bourbon or if you just can’t wait until another Memphis Flyer blowout, mark your calendars for the Flyer’s annual Memphis Tequila Fest, to be held October 25th at The Kent. 

Categories
We Recommend We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: Pink Palace Crafts Fair

Emilio Gallegos and Juliana Gallegos (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Jacob Baldwin Barrett participated for the third time in the Pink Palace Crafts Fair, which was held September 28th and 29th at Audubon Park.

He included 16 of his photographs. “It’s wildlife photography and I frame all of my own work with reclaimed or salvaged wood,” says Barrett, 29. “And I include a climate awareness message within each piece and an information plaque as well.”

Jacob Baldwin Barrett
Erika and Rain Creekmore
Bob and Patty Towery

Asked what sets the event apart from other fairs, Barrett says, “I love it because it’s been a part of Memphis for so long. I remember going to it as a kid. So that’s fun.”

Halie Bonds and Brian Shreve
Brittany and Sidney Smith

And there are people participating who he remembers being at the fair when he was little. “It’s a really good show.”

Twenty craftspeople participated in this year’s event, which celebrated its 52nd year, says Pink Palace Crafts Fair chair Pam Dickey.

Chris Deming and Sarah Best
Beau and Henry Grosvenor

Crafts included broom making, glass blowing, wood turning, knitting, weaving, basket making, rug hooking, soap making, and metalworking.

Events for kids, including a petting zoo, art tent, face painting, and a climbing wall, were also featured.

Categories
Music Music Features News We Recommend We Saw You

Michael Donahue Does Mempho Fest

Last weekend, thousands flocked to the Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden for Mempho Fest. The Memphis Flyer‘s own Michael Donahue was on hand to take party pictures for his We Saw You column. I tagged along with a video camera to record the legendary newsman in action. But don’t take my word for it — watch him get swarmed by fans and charm the masses with his easygoing style.

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: Zoo Rendezvous

Patrick Morris, Kimberly Morris, Brenda Morris, and Herman Morris (Photos: Michael Donahue)

People still wore animal print outfits to the Zoo Rendezvous, but pink definitely was the color of choice at the Memphis Zoo fundraiser.

“Barbie” was the theme of this year’s event, which was held September 7th and drew more than 3,000 people.


Maddie Caldwell and
Andrew Geraci
Greg and Dory Gaston
Jade and Marcus McCall

People were invited “to dress as their own Barbie,” says Erica Kelsey, Memphis Zoo special events and corporate sponsorship manager. They were encouraged to express themselves “in Barbie form.”

The event featured 50 restaurants, 15 food trucks, 17 specialty bars, and five full bars.

Charlie and Emily Sullivan
Katy, Susan, and
Tripp Thompson

Savannah Jeffrey and
Arnold Medal

Paula & Raiford’s Disco was a new addition. The downtown hotspot replaced Blind Bear, which had been a staple at the event until it recently closed. When thinking of what would be a good replacement for Blind Bear, Kelsey thought, “The party is at Raiford’s.”

“It was a great addition to the Zoo Rendezvous this year,” Kelsey says. She says owner Paula Raiford told her, “I’m locked in for years to come.”

What makes the Zoo Rendezvous so special? “I think Memphians have a special love in their heart for the zoo. Everyone wants to support the zoo in some capacity.”

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: JA Passport to Opportunity

Belinda and Calvin Anderson, Micheal Cristal, Greg Duckett, Kesha Ivy, and Brenda Duckett (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Guests got to milk a cow — albeit a cow statue — at Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South’s fundraiser, “JA Passport to Opportunity,” which was held September 6th at the Wang Experiential Learning Center.

The event was “about supporting the local food entrepreneurs and helping adults get to play and learn about how food and agriculture work in our economy,” says Beth Okeon, who does public relations for Junior Achievement. “And how local food entrepreneurs bring their product to market.”

Adults took part in hands-on learning experiences. “Adults got to learn by doing just like children of Junior Achievement learn by doing: build your own spice blend or make your own sundaes or decorate your own cookies.”

Or milk the cow. “Not a real cow. A fake cow that helps you understand how milk is made.”

Bain Barbecue provided barbecue, and Old Dominick Distillery featured smoked cocktail creations. The Stax 926 Alumni Band provided the tunes.

About 250 people attended. Money raised went toward Junior Achievement programming that helps kindergarten through 12th grade students. 


Malcolm and Hakeem Dent

Leanne Kleinmann and Andy Alsenas

Cooper and Cassidy Smith
Mario and Nikki Marion

Danny Mansberg, Emma Mansberg, Ramie Glick, and Leigh Mansberg
Molly, Beth, and Jenny Odeon

David Foster
Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: Bardog Tavern Sweet 16 Alley Party

Michael Blackmer and Scott Nivens (Photos: Michael Donahue)

The Bardog Tavern Sweet 16 Alley Party was held September 8th in Center Lane Alley and inside Bardog Tavern at 73 Monroe Avenue.

The bar, owned by Aldo Dean, opened in 2008, but the first alley party was held in 2009. It grew into the Monroe Avenue Fest, a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraiser that included the Breakaway Bardog 5K, a dunk tank, and Grandma’s Heavenly Meatball Eating Contest. Monroe Avenue between Main Street and Front Street was blocked off. 


Melissa Griffin and
Eric Bourgeois

Aldo Dean

Alexis Saunders and
Jalisha Toy

“That was all pre-pandemic stuff,” says the bar’s marketing and events director Eric Bourgeois. “That was a huge thing to put on.”


Earl Hines and Stacey Bowens
Duncan Aiken and Julien Salley Jr.

This was more intimate. It featured Rowdy and the Strays, and DJ Michael Blackmer. People ate hamburger sliders grilled outdoors, played corn hole, and participated in raffles. “This was back to the basics: ‘Hey, thanks for being friends, neighbors, pals,’” Bourgeois says. It was “a celebration of all the friendships we made and maintained.”


Colbey Lamberth and Morgan Heimbach

Joe Paschka and Aly Demzik

Sitting at the bar, Colbey Lamberth says, “Aldo is a maverick at bars and restaurants that fit the Memphis scene. There’s something about Bardog. I love this place.” 

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: Memphis Ostrander Awards

Linda Morgan, Tramaine Morgan, and Karen Sanders (Photos: Michael Donahue)

The play’s the thing. And so is the award for the play.

About 600 attended the 40th annual Memphis Ostrander Awards show, which was held August 26th at the Orpheum Theatre.

Sumi Montgomery and William Smythe
Jude Knight and Debbie Litch
Eli Garrett and
Marianne Gebb

Jeff Hulett, who managed publicity for the event, says the local gala celebrates excellence in theater in the Greater Memphis area. 

Eliza Fleming, Michael Panos, 
and Nolita Palomar
Whitney Jo, Michael and Denice Detroit

More than 30 awards were given during the ceremony, which included performances by nominees. “Think the Oscars for theater,” Hulett says.

Joe Lentini and Patsy Detroit
Savannah Bearden, David Parks, and
Jane Parks

In addition to awards for acting, awards were given for everything from costume design and lighting to best original script, directors, and productions.

Fourteen organizations participated in the Ostranders, which were named in honor of the late actor Jim Ostrander. It began 40 years ago as the Memphis Theater Awards. The name was changed to “Ostrander” in 2001, Hulett says. 

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: Sierra Ferrell at Overton Park Shell

Gabe Boyd and Jennings Goode (Photos: Michael Donahue)

The Sierra Ferrell concert, held August 31st, was one of the largest concerts so far in the Shell Yeah! Benefit Series at the Overton Park Shell, says Jeff Hulett, who manages PR and publicity for the Shell.

Sierra Ferrell
Olivia and Austin Merryman
Grant Vazzano and
Sydney Carty

“That was a sea of humanity,” Hulett says. “As a fan of the Overton Park Shell, that was one of the biggest shows I ever went to.”

People from the West Coast were among those attending. “There were people there from all over the place. I think Sierra Ferrell is about to blow up in a big way. To where we won’t ever get her back to the Overton Park Shell.”

Ilaria Pisoni and Will Smith
Cam Braden and Kara Spencer

And this wasn’t a free concert. “Overton Park Shell offers the free concert series, but in order to do the free concert series, we have to do a series of fundraiser shows.”

Lonny and Kelly Clemons
Amber Johnston and Austin Kimpel

And, Hulett says, “A lot of people don’t know that producing and putting on a free show costs a lot of money. So, we have to find the funds to keep doing that. The Overton Park Shell is all about providing for the community.”

About 2,700 attended.

Hell yeah! 

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: The End of the World Party at Black Lodge

Ellington Thomas, Ariel Thomas, Ilya Green, and Thelonious Thomas (Photos: Michael Donahue)

It was called “The End of the World Party,” but the closing night soirée for Black Lodge at its 405 North Cleveland Street address, which was held August 24th, wasn’t the end of the line, says Matt Martin, Black Lodge creator and co-owner.

Mars McKay
Matt Martin
Azim Minareci and
Kaylee Haggart

He’s “working to open another location,” Martin says. He’s already looking at a couple of places.

The movie collection and the screenings will definitely move, but he’s not sure of the “club nights,” Martin says. And 901 Wrestling will move to another location.

Madd Keys
Parks Dlugach
Trey McGovern and
Laura Robertson

About 1,000 people attended the party, which began at 7 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m. “Black Lodge has always been Memphis’ underground cultural crossroads for artists, musicians, movie makers, taste makers, lovers of night life,” he says. “It’s always been that. Even before we had a new place. Twenty-five years we’ve been that.”

People realized Black Lodge was going to “leave that home,” he says. “A lot of them had already fallen in love with that place and wanted to have one last giant party and have fun in it.” 

Categories
We Recommend We Saw You

WE SAW YOU: “Meet the Artists” at Palladio

Mikayla Jordan, Cynthia Ham, and Minnie (the dog) (Photos: Michael Donahue)

More art is in the eyes of the beholders, thanks to Cynthia Ham.

Ham, who became the new owner of Palladio last December, instituted monthly shows featuring local artists. She opened her first exhibit, which will be on view through August, with a “Meet the Artists” reception, held August 15th at Palladio Interiors & Garden at 2215 Central Avenue (at South Cox). This month’s artists are Jay Crum, Kong Wee Pang, Carl E. Moore, and Amy Hutcheson. “They were the first four to be shown since I took over,” Ham says. “And I plan to have other shows featuring high-quality Memphis artists.”

Amy Hutcheson
Kong Wee Pang
Carl E. Moore

As far as she knows, this hasn’t been done previously at Palladio, says Ham. “This, to my knowledge, is a new approach of featuring artists.

Fannie, Robbie, and Michael Weinberg
Jay Crum

“I am going to use some work from the show to keep on hand in case anybody wants to look at their work when they come in,” she adds. “Even though the show itself is coming down, we’ll have at least two pieces of their work there on a longer term.”