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WE SAW YOU: Sunset Symphony

Kortland Whalum with Robert Moody behind him conducting the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Photos: Michael Donahue)

About 8,000 celebrated the last Sunday evening of May listening to Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, and Sousa. They sat on blankets or chairs with their shoes off or on, and a full-scale picnic or just a flat box with a pizza in front of them.

Theo Thomas
Carl and Amasa Ealing
Alexis Burnett and Abrian Clay
Cassandra Hopper. Matthew Houston, Arlo Hopper at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Jill and Chris Williams at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Magnus Terry, Katherine Terry, Russ Thompson at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)

This was Sunset Symphony, which was held May 26th at Overton Park Shell. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra performed under the direction of Robert Moody and Kyle Dickson. Kortland Whalum and Marie-Stéphane Bernard sang. 

“It’s just a beautiful display of Memphis,” says the Shell’s executive director Natalie Wilson. People were “spilling out” onto other nearby areas, including the Greensward at Overton Park and the grounds of Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, to hear the symphony because the event was so crowded.

Daniel Amram and Danielle Schaeffer
Josh Russell, Maddox Russell, Nathalie Russell, Mason Russell, and Jessica Rivera
Ace and JJ Leonard (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sara and Cody Oscarson at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Elands Kelly and Robin Noel at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)

“This is what Memphis is about. We come together. We’re joyous. Children run and play. We enjoy the arts. We’re so blessed with these spaces that bring us together.”

This was the fourth year that Sunset Symphony, which many people associate with its Memphis in May predecessor at Tom Lee Park, took place at the Shell. “A joyous re-creation of a historic event at a historic place.” 

Lilly, Venus, and Louis Hamric at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Lucy Nardo, Owen Isinger, Joseph Nardo, Lydia Nardo, Stella Isinger at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Paris Carter at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Matthew Hernandez at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Laurie Stark, Kathy Mitchener at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Jeremy Plyler and Stephanie Beliles at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Pearson, Andrew, Rachel, and Emerson Black at Sunset Symphony (Credit: Michael Donahue)
We Saw You
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WE SAW YOU: SmokeSlam and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Ben Colar, Denzel Alexander, and Michael Butler Jr. at SmokeSlam

Two barbecue contests held at the same time in the same city.

Only in Memphis. Right?

Ryan Marsh and Elizabeth Sullivan at World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Nick Black at World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
John Montgomery and Carol Coletta at SmokeSlam

Fifty-seven teams participated in the inaugural SmokeSlam in Tom Lee Park, May 16th through 18th. And 16,697 people (not counting teams) attended, says Lindsay Stevens, public relations for SmokeSlam.“We were just overwhelmed with the positivity we had from so many people,” she says. “I don’t think we could have been happier with the outcome.”

Mia Townsend and Abby Neal at SmokeSlam
Colin Ross, John McArthur, Cannon Smith, and Clark Schifani at World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Dudley Knowlton, Trenten McCarty, and Drew Ybos at SmokeSlam

The 46th edition of the Memphis in May (MIM) World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, held May 15th through May 18th in Liberty Park, also was a success, says Randy Blevins with MIM. He had no estimate yet about attendance, but a total of 129 competition cooking teams from 22 states and four foreign countries took part. “Yet again during the third weekend in May, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest became the biggest backyard in Memphis right in the heart of the city at Liberty Park,” Blevins says.

Both competitions are slated to return to their same locations in 2025.

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WE SAW YOU: Symphony in the Gardens

Laura Alexander and Gloria Dodds Harlan

Symphony in the Gardens was once again a sell-out at Dixon Gallery & Gardens. The outdoor event, which was held May 12th, featured the Memphis Symphony Big Band conducted by Scott Moore. Singer Kortland Whalum performed.

Kenneth and Jennifer Pierce
Erin Lech, Vivian Langston, and Evan Langston
Jude Tumminello, Mack Meyers, and Eva Meyers

A crowd of 1,300 people attended, says Jessie Wiley, Dixon’s director of development and communications.

“This is an annual tradition every year on Mother’s Day for over 20 years,” Wiley says. “It’s a special partnership between two valuable cultural organizations — the Dixon and Memphis Symphony Orchestra.”

Memphis Symphony Orchestra music director Robert Moody
Christopher Atkinson, Phil Sistrunk, and Olivia Grace Atkinson
Rev. Kenneth and Sheila Whalum

The event, which “brings diverse Memphians together,” is “so much fun,” Wiley says. A “joyous day. Time to spend with family and friends. A very relaxed atmosphere. Bring your own picnic or enjoy food trucks. You can kind of make it your own.”

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WE SAW YOU: RiverBeat Music Festival

Jackson Hendrix, Gabrielle Duffie, Nakita Spencer, Lawrence Matthews

You could call them “RiverBeatniks.” They were the more than 30,000 people who attended the inaugural RiverBeat Music Festival May 3rd, 4th, and 5th in Tom Lee Park.

Matthew Burdine and Daniel Bonds 
Russ Thompson and Katherine Terry
Emily and Will Carter

They braved periodic raindrops and often warm temps to see and hear performers, including Stax great Carla Thomas, Al Kapone, the Wilkins Sisters, Southern Avenue, Killer Mike, and Lawrence Matthews. All some music lovers needed was a blanket and a comfortable spot to kick off their shoes and experience 50 performers on five stages.

“We scanned in over 30,000 over three days,” says RiverBeat producer Jeff Bransford. “Ten-thousand a night.”

Kristin Leach and Haggard Collins
Ariyanna Beecher and Miles Robinson

How did he think RiverBeat went? “Spectacular. We couldn’t be happier. The feedback we got from both patrons and artists has been overwhelming.”

And will RiverBeat return next year? “One-hundred percent,” Bransford says. No doubt about it. “We’re already planning.”

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WE SAW YOU: World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival

Sam Watson

The World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival was back on Riverside Drive for the first time since 2017. The festival, which was held April 20th, was on Tiger Lane for many years after leaving Riverside Drive.

Chanell Gabrielle, Lyndon Thomas, Sadie Sherwood
Zedrick Woods and Jasmine Edwards
Alexis Grace

A total of 3,000 people attended the 22nd annual festival, says founder Paul Gagliano. All except one year, the event has benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. Not counting this year, it’s raised more than $300,000 for the charity.

Gagliano recalled that first contest: “I asked the guy that had the Poplar Lounge if he would put up the parking lot and a little money.”

Paul Gagliano, David Hunnam, Pat Hunnam, Michelle Hunnam
Kilgore Trout, Joseph Wilson, Brennan Powers

He then went into the bar and told people his plans for a hot wing contest. They looked at Gagliano like he was crazy, but seven people took part. It was a hot wing contest, but, Gagliano says, “They were grilling deer meat and all kinds of meat.”

And, he says, “Budweiser gave me $1,000 bucks. And that was like a million right there.”

This year, 50 teams took part and competed for $10,000 prize money.

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WE SAW YOU: Brooks’ “People Are People” Preview Party

Christian Siriano and Coco Rocha

“Christian Siriano: People are People,” the new exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, is still going strong.

“It’s been great,” says Brooks chief revenue officer Jeff Rhodin. “In the first week we had more than 2,500 people.” The preview party was mind-blowing. More than 900 people attended the event honoring the American fashion designer on March 21st, the night before the exhibit opened to the public.

Daniela Griffin
Carl Bledsoe Jr.
Paul Thomas and Grace West

Thirty-six Siriano creations, including over-the-top gowns in over-the-top colors and shapes on mannequins of different sizes, are featured in the exhibit. As the news release from Brooks states, “Since launching his fashion house in New York in 2008, Siriano has become beloved for statement-making looks. … From glamorous gowns to gender-defying showstoppers, Siriano’s creations have been … worn by the world’s biggest stars, top models, pop icons, legendary divas, LGBTQIA2+ heroes, first ladies, and more.”

Greely Myatt and Ramona Sonin
Babbie Lovett

So, anybody who wants to get their mind blown has until August 4th to view the exhibit of fashions worn by Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, and others.

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WE SAW YOU: Cooper-Young St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Dylan Borczak, Noe Meza, Emerson Hyndman, Akeem Ward, Carson Vom Steeg, Luiz Fernando from Memphis 901 FC soccer (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Irish eyes are still smiling after the Memphis Irish Society/Cooper-Young St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“There was green beer flowing all over Cooper-Young that day,” says Tamara Cook, executive director of the Cooper-Young Business Association.

Patrick Reilly and DJ Naylor
Gina Sweat
Terrance Gaines and Kamilah Muhammad

The annual event drew 2,000 people this year, Cook says. “This is like the eighth one. We have them on St. Patrick’s Day every year. Next year, it will be on a Monday, although I keep asking them to have it on Sunday after the Beale Street parade. But they want to have it on the day.”

Memphis Irish Society and Celtic Crossing presented the event, Cook says. Mayor Paul Young was king of the parade and his wife Jamila Smith-Young was queen. Memphis Fire Department Chief Gina Sweat was the parade marshal.

Zach Brummett, Amy Dempsey, Lindsey Howell, Stegen Burkett
back: Morgan Max, Bristol Max, Maisey Johnston, Ramanda Johnston, Keith Johnston, front: Maverick Max, Christopher Johnston, Adilay Johnston
Shuntonisha Clark, Makenzie Clark, Kervin Mason, Michael Clark

This year’s parade featured 30 participants, including Memphis 901 FC soccer team, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Memphis Police Department. There were bagpipers, horses, and dancers, including the Inis Acla School of Irish Dance step dancers. DJ Naylor opened up his Celtic Crossing Irish bar/restaurant for outdoor and indoor partying.

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WE SAW YOU: Science of Wine

Justin Parker (Photos: Michael Donahue)

If you’ve wondered why something you eat pairs perfectly with a particular wine, you can find out at Science of Wine, the annual fundraiser at Memphis Museum of Science & History (MoSH).

Mary Sisson and Jordan Buchanan
Dr. Rosie Richmond and Gerry Dupree

About 400 people attended the event, which was held March 8th. Eighteen food purveyors participated.

Usually, about 600 people attend, says MoSH special events coordinator John Mullikin. “We had to limit the number of ticket sales,” he says. “Only because of Sue.”

Melanie Hill and Tiquan Pryor
Anthony Mendoza
Jeanie Gundlach and Steve Conley

Sue is the full-scale Tyrannosaurus rex cast in MoSH’s current “SUE: The T-rex Experience” exhibit. Sue takes up three rooms.

The VIP area featured fare from Erling Jensen: The Restaurant, The Grecian Gourmet Kitchen, Pete & Sam’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and The Blue Room Restaurant.

Haley Lyerly and Robby Cowan
Eddie, Ana, and John Osadzinski

Guests paired duck and amarena tartlets from Erling Jensen’s with a 2018 Rockmere cabernet, and learned from a poster at the booth: “The wine boasts red and black fruit to marry well with the cherry tartlet, while having soft tannin and enough acidity to support the richness of the duck.” Jensen has participated in all eight of the Science of Wine events.

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WE SAW YOU: Night Train Gala

Lionel and Angie Hollins, Kontji Anthony, and David Porter (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Guests boarding the “Night Train Gala” at Stax Museum of American Soul Music March 2nd shared passage with some of the greats in the history of music.

They got a chance to say hello to Grammy winner David Porter, whose legendary Stax songwriting includes “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’” for Sam & Dave. And they rubbed shoulders with Eddie Floyd, who recorded the Stax hit, “Knock on Wood.”

Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell
Valerie June

Guests might have stood in line for barbecue with other celebs. Grammy-winning Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell was at the party. Also performing and mingling with the guests was singer-songwriter Valerie June.

Eddie Floyd
Zoe Kahr and Daniel Shin
Cheryl Pesce and Avery Cunningham

Guests were presented a “Train Schedule” that showed who was performing where and at what time. When they arrived, Marcella Simien was the featured entertainer in the “Station Lobby.” Later, they stopped at other rooms to see performers, including the Charlton Johnson Trio (jazz) and 926, aka Stax Music Academy Alumni Band (soul).

Jeff Kollath (Stax Museum executive director) and Mary Helen Randall
Elizabeth and Joey Walser

A total of 290 people attended the event, says Stax director of communications Mary Helen Randall.

Proceeds benefit the Soulsville Foundation and its programming.

Pat Mitchell Worley, Kirk and Ruby Whalum
Jared Boyd, Miz Stefani, and Khari Wynn
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We Saw You with Karen Carrier Ep. 3

Karen Carrier talks about the late artist, Dorothy Sturm, in episode three of the We Saw You video series about Memphians and Mid-Southerners.

I sat down with Carrier in her amazing art-filled home, which also houses her grand piano, and we talked. It was fun to chat with Carrier, who I always say is the hippest person in Memphis. The owner of  Beauty Shop Restaurant, DKDC, Mollie Fontaine Lounge, and Another Roadside Attraction catering business, graduated from the old Memphis Academy of Arts, which later became Memphis College of Art.

Carrier is right on when she describes Sturm: “She’s just wild.” I was fortunate to get to interview Sturm 40 or so years ago when I was at the old Memphis Press-Scimitar newspaper.

Memphians were so fortunate to have an artist of her prestige living and working here. Carrier and Sturm became close friends, and you can hear a few stories from that heady time in our interview.