Tag Archives: Frank Gray

Dr. Frank Gray: surgeon, music lover, friend

I just can’t believe that Dr. Frank Gray is gone. The retired orthopedic surgeon, music lover and fixture on Knoxville’s social scene has been a regular on the Blue Streak since its inception. That’s because he was passionate about so … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Music | 7 Comments

Dining on pinto beans at Blackberry Farm. No kidding.

Blackberry Farm, of course, is the elegantly rustic Relais & Chateaux property located on 4,200 acres in Walland adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A 45-minute drive from downtown Knoxville, it features gourmet dining as well as rooms … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 6 Comments

Chopin and champagne: as elegant as it gets

For a few idyllic hours on this past rainy Sunday, a couple dozen music lovers were transported from West Knoxville to a lovely salon in mid-19th century Paris by virtue of music, dainty nibbles and flowing champagne served in fine … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville, Music | 5 Comments

Natalie Haslam: East Tennessean of the Year

The East Tennessee Historical Society honored Natalie Haslam last week with its highest honor. She was named East Tennessean of the Year and feted during a sold-out banquet at Cherokee Country Club. She was surrounded by friends and family members … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 11 Comments

A good ‘thyme’ at the UT Gardens Gala

Well, it’s officially garden party season in East Tennessee. One of the first and largest of them is the UT Gardens Gala held in the sprawling UT Gardens — yep, the ones you pass on Neyland Drive on your route … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville | 5 Comments

Ken Burns: U.S. needs ‘less pluribus; more unum’

Historian Ken Burns was in Knoxville recently, appearing on behalf of the East Tennessee Historical Society and Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law. The $300 per seat dinner at the downtown Hilton featuring Gov. Bill Haslam interviewing Burns was … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Journalism, Knoxville, Media | 4 Comments

‘An Emerald Evening’ rakes in the green!

Congratulations to the Knoxville Symphony League for hosting its most successful Symphony Ball in recent history! Held this past Saturday at Cherokee Country Club with a St. Paddy’s Day theme, “An Emerald Evening” brought in about $150,000. Of that, about … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville, Music | 7 Comments

Mozart in the mountains

Seventy-five Knoxville Symphony supporters gathered Sunday at Blackberry Farm for what I think is one of the best opportunities of the fundraising year. You get to have dinner at our area’s premier dining establishment AND hear an intimate 30-minute performance … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 8 Comments

UT Gardens Gala: over-the-top food on a fun Friday

We go to a heck of a lot of events every year and sometimes they all kind of blend together. Very few stand out. But the UT Gardens Gala does. I’m not sure why, but there’s just something different about … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville | 6 Comments

Bramble makes Blackberry event even better

The Knoxville Symphony‘s annual fundraiser at Blackberry Farm was even more fantastic this year because it was held in Bramble Hall, Blackberry’s brand new events center. Bramble Hall was modeled after the huge timber-framed barns that used to dot East … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville, Music | 5 Comments