Tag: We Saw You

We Saw You

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date March 26, 2025

Mark, Mac, Sydney Pulido (Photos: Michael Donahue)

About 1,500 people turned out for this year’s Memphis Irish Society/Cooper-Young St. Patrick’s Day Parade, says Tamara Cook, executive director of the Cooper-Young Business Association.

Green was the preferred wardrobe color of the day.

As usual, the parade was held on March 17th.

**DeAndre Diggs, Alaysia Williams,**
**Main Williams**

“We had a ton of people,” Cook says. Part of the reason was the timing of the parade,
she says. It was held about 4 p.m. “We did it after school was out.”

Memphis Irish Society presented the parade in conjunction with Celtic Crossing. DJ Naylor opened up his Celtic Crossing Irish bar/restaurant for outdoor and indoor celebrating.

**Margot, Victoria, Kelleam, and Max Myers;**

This year’s parade featured 21 entries. As is the custom, the parade included horses, dancers, bagpipers, and Inis Acla School of Irish Dance step dancers.

The parade was family-oriented. “We gear ours toward the family. We wanted kids here, and we got them. And dogs. And I even saw a cat on a leash. Everybody brought everybody, so that was good.”

Tags Cooper-Young Business Association, Memphis Irish Society, St. Patrick's Day Parade, We Saw You

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WE SAW YOU: A Taste of CBHS

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date March 19, 2025

Mike, Tripp, Michael, and Matthew Garibaldi circle: Thomas Owens and Zach Hamlet (Photos: Michael Donahue)

If you tasted everything at A Taste of CBHS, you ate a complete dinner several times.

An incredible array of Memphis restaurants and businesses participated in the annual event, including some with Christian Brothers High School ties.

**Clark Shifani and**
**David Valentine**

**Dawn Waxler, Charles Hall, and Laura Hall**

The event, which was held March 2nd at CBHS’ field house, listed 35 participants on its program.

Among those attending with school connections were Mike Garibaldi of Garibaldi’s Pizza, Alex Boggs of Huey’s, and Clark Shifani of Old Dominick Distillery. Other purple and gold businesses linked to former CBHS students include Dyer’s Burgers, which is owned by Kendall Robertson, and Hog & Hominy, which is owned by Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman.

**Ron Kent, Hall Crawford, and Paul Benson**

**Caryn Welsh, Nash Lanigan, and Hannah Goode**

Villa Castrioti was the title sponsor of the event. One of the owners, Joe Clarke, and an investor, Brian Leith, are Brothers Boys.

The event was a sellout, Clarke says.

**Brittany Deaton, Tony Heard, and Grace Poel**

In addition to the cuisine, A Taste of CBHS featured tasteful music by performers, including the Walnut Grove Jazz Band.

Tags A Taste of CBHS, Christian Brothers High School, Villa Castrioti, We Saw You

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Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date March 5, 2025

Deedee Johnson, Meetesh Patel, Brie Griffith, Cory Redwine, and Marisa Griffith (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Whether they were talking about it or eating it, “gumbo” was on everybody’s lips at the Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest, held February 16th at the Memphis Sports and Events Center.

**Arnold Medal, Savannah Jeffrey, and**
**Kristie Jeffrey**

**Alex Jamerson, Anthony Perez, and Michael Pohlman**

More than 200 people turned out for the event, which featured 11 teams, says Dabney Ring, an event committee member.

It was the project’s 12th gumbo contest, Ring says. “It went well,” she says. “We had a bigger crowd and raised more money than last year. It’s important because the money raised goes for state and local advocacy for the LGBTQ community.”

**Tammy Ackers, Trinita Williams, Khalil Carey, and Crystal Turn**er

And, she says, “Not only do we talk with our state reps and senators, but we also do outreach and education all over the state, including — and probably most importantly — the rural areas that don’t really have a lot of resources. So, we try and provide everything that we can.”

**Sister Squeegee Jubilee of Blue Suede Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence**

As for how much money they raised, Ring says, “We raised above expectations.”

AD and the Vibe played music to eat gumbo by.

Tags LGBTQ Community, Tennessee Equality Project, Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest, We Saw You

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WE SAW YOU: Works of Heart

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date February 19, 2025

Richard Ross, John and Suzanne Scharff, and Deborah Ross (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Guests were all heart at Works of Heart, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center fundraiser presented by Stern Cardiovascular. The art auction and party was held Saturday, February 8th, at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

**Virginia Stallworth, Richard Wood,**
**James Hay, and Kevin Scott**

“Works of Heart was a record-breaking success,” says Beryl Wight, the center’s communications and grants manager. “We had 122 artists — a record — and raised over $139,000 [also a record].”

**Alexandra Eastburn, George Williford, Donna Williford, and Juston Williford**

This was the third year at the Memphis Botanic Garden, Wight says. Between 300 and 350 people attended the event.

**Sonal Mehr, Sujit Mehr,**
**Swati Chokshi, and Saurin Chokshi**

Now in its 33rd year, Works of Heart’s first beneficiary was the Mental Health Association. After it closed, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center became the beneficiary.

Longtime Works of Heart supporter Murray Riss was at this year’s event with his wife Karen and daughter Shanna. “Murray was part of the planning committee that brought the event to us,” Wight says, adding, “He certainly is a very important contributor, serving as chair and co-chair for many years. And, of course, he still is a contributing artist.”

Tags Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Stern Cardiovascular, We Saw You, Works of Heart

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WE SAW YOU: Healthier Memphis Gala

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date February 12, 2025

David Krog, Ben Vaughn, and Erling Jensen (Photos by Michael Donahue)

A total of $231,000 was raised at this year’s Healthier Memphis Gala presented by Lifedoc Health.

And $48,000 of that was raised at the live auction.

**Gary and Barb Meloni, Kert and Abbey Kaise**

The event, held January 31st at the old Summit Club space at the top of Clark Tower, provided a tasty way for guests to support Lifedoc Health’s work. Fifteen Memphis chefs provided the fare for guests, many of whom wore Gatsby-like attire — flapper dresses and tuxedos — from that other Twenties decade. “Our Roaring 20th: A Speakeasy Soirée” was the event theme.

**John Adamstown, Tom Hughes, and**
**Jaksen Pounders**

**Kelly English, Fatou and Bala Tounkara**

According to its website, the mission of Lifedoc Health is “to build healthier communities by preventing diabetes through healthcare and research.”

As the invitation reads, “All proceeds will support Lifedoc’s investment in research and policy to transform healthcare for Memphis’s most underserved communities.”

Tags Healthier Memphis Gala, Lifedoc Health, Memphis chefs, We Saw You

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WE SAW YOU: Graceland’s ‘90 For 90 Exhibit’

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date January 15, 2025

Anthony Pacheco, Sam Barlow, and David Hamilton of Sam Barlow & His True Blue Band (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Elvis fans turned out in chilly weather to pay homage to their King.

Though it was the day after Elvis’ 90th birthday on January 8th, out-of-town fans remained in Memphis and visited the various exhibits, including the new “90 for 90 Exhibit,” which features Elvis clothing and other memorabilia and artifacts.

**Kala Morris, Logan Morris,**
**and Tori Hutson**

**Lauren, Samuel, and**
**Steven Calmas**

The birthday celebration, which ran through January 11th, included a birthday cake, a Proclamation Day Ceremony, live concerts at the Graceland Soundstage, dance parties, special tours, and panel discussions.

**Jessica Herring and**
**William Hill**

A threat of snow, which became a reality January 10th, apparently didn’t deter the loyal fans. The only snow the truly avid fans probably had on their minds was — according to Google — “When the Snow Is on the Roses,” which Elvis sang in a live concert in 1970; “Snowbird,” which he covered in 1970; and “On a Snowy Christmas Night,” which the King recorded in 1971.

Tags 90 For 90 Exhibit, Elvis Presley's Graceland, We Saw You

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WE SAW YOU: Truist Zoo Lights

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date January 8, 2025

Sophia, Charlotte, and Drake Newman with Hunter, McNeilly, and Miller Cowan (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Memphis Zoo was aglow for the holidays with its annual Truist Zoo Lights.

Attire was heavy coats on chilly nights for visitors who drank hot chocolate and took photos standing in front of festive light displays. They kept their coats on, but removed their shoes to don skates at the ice-skating rink.

**David and** **Debbie McAnally, Chris Buckley,**
**Cindy Buckley,** **and Carolyn Jackson**

**Kristyn Martin and**
**Keiyoma Dabney**

Zoo Lights has been going on “at least 20 years,” says Memphis Zoo communications specialist Rebecca Winchester.

“This year’s event was successful. It is always wonderful welcoming the community back to Memphis Zoo.”

**Veronica Chacin and**
**Diego Sanchez**

And, she says, “We look forward to providing the Memphis community with this holiday tradition every year.”

Asked how many lights were displayed, Winchester says. “I do not know the exact number of lights. However, it does take an entire month to set up.”

**Zoe, Portia, Enzo, and Ashton Jeffries**

Winchester did know how many people viewed those lights. “From my understanding, we have seen over 45,000 guests so far this season.”

Tags Memphis Zoo, Truist, We Saw You, Zoo Lights

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Holiday Wonders at the Garden

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date December 25, 2024

(top left) CJ Berretta, (top right) Chad Getchel, (bottom left) Sydney Lewellyn, Albert, Oscar, and Leah Getchel (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Sipping hot chocolate or hot chocolate with something in it is always a delight at Holiday Wonders at the Garden, which continues to enchant children and adults at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

**(left to right) Sarah Strong, Kole Turner,**
**Cathy Strong, and Anthony Strong**

Olivia Wall, director of marketing and communications, describes the attraction as “an outdoor seasonal exhibition. It includes acres of light displays, photo ops.”

**Nada Dryn, Tamara Dryn,**
**Igor Bosim, and Kirill Dryn**

It also includes concessions and fire tables, Wall says. “We have costumed characters every night we’re open. Snow queens, gingerbread men, elves.”

**Brandi Ray, Denny Stanley,**
**Katherine Johnson, and Jarrod Bivens**

Wonders, which closes December 28th, traditionally opens the day after Thanksgiving. “We’ve been doing it for 12 or 13 years. It was originally much smaller. In a very small area garden. And it expanded from there.”

Wonders originally was called “Snowy Nights” and took place at Memphis Botanic Garden’s “My Big Backyard,” notes Wall.

Some dates during this season’s event could have been dubbed “Rainy Nights.” But, with the exception of some of the wet stuff, Wall says “Holiday Wonders at the Garden” 2024 will go down as successful.

Tags Holiday Wonders at the Garden, Memphis Botanic Garden, We Saw You

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We Saw You: WinterArts

Post author By Michael Donahue
Post date December 11, 2024

Steve and Lisa Mergen, Tony Thomas, and Susie Jabbour (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Even before all the turkey is gone, WinterArts is back in action, getting people in the arts-centric holiday-buying mood.

**Alex Russell, Diana, Donna, and Bill Hopper**

Greg Belz, executive director of the ArtWorks Foundation and founder of WinterArts, kicks off the annual event with an opening reception the Friday after Thanksgiving. “We do it at 5,” Belz says. “After everybody looking for plastic bargains from China has gone back home and vacated the streets, we open up.”

**Adam Cole, John Stanford, Debi Stanford, and**
**Hannah Cole**

This year’s WinterArts is at 7509 Poplar Avenue, in the old Brooks Brothers location in The Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown, Tennessee.

About 400 attended the reception for WinterArts, which is celebrating its 16th year, Belz says.

**Sarah, Cecil, London, Brandon, Sophia, and**
**Brandon Little**

It includes “everything one can think of in glass, metal, wood, clay, and fiber as well as a few other surprises,” he says. “We focus on 3D work in those disciplines.”

In short, WinterArts brings together “material and imagination” to create incredible gifts that “you won’t see anywhere else.”

WinterArts is open seven days a week through Christmas Eve.

Tags Artworks Foundation, Greg Belz, We Saw You, WinterArts