Tag Archives: Joe DiPietro

Ijams cancels ‘Symphony in the Park’ after 35 years; KSO seeks new outdoor partner for September event

From the “All Good Things Must Come to an End” Department, comes word that Ijams Nature Center is pulling the plug on one of my all-time favorite fundraising events, “Symphony in the Park.” The fun outdoor evening — which has … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Music | 16 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

Urban League gives kids shoes — and confidence

The weather Saturday was perfect for the Knoxville Area Urban League’s 15th annual Shoes for School event which attracted thousands to Caswell Park in East Knoxville. During this year’s gathering, 1,200 children received new pairs of shoes and as many … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 7 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

UT prez’s secret sauce could be secret weapon

The University of Tennessee has a secret weapon for making friends and influencing folks. I think it even would work on members of the Tennessee General Assembly. What is it? UT President Joe DiPietro’s famous spaghetti with a tantalizing sauce … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville | 17 Comments

Picture perfect patio for a party!

Here’s some welcome news for party and event planners. The University of Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information has just opened a spacious new patio with an interesting view of Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee River. Moxley Carmichael used it … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Public Relations, UT sports | 11 Comments

Symphony in Park was sublime. Season will soar!

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra launches its 81st season tonight and Friday with new conductor and music director Aram Demirjian taking the podium at the Tennessee Theatre for a program called “Russian Passion” featuring the works of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky. But … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville, Music | 10 Comments

UT Gardens honor major donor — and peonies!

The weather gods smiled upon the UT Gardens Gala, thank goodness, as several hundred supporters gathered to raise money and also raise a glass or two to Henry McIlwaine Jr., whose generosity will fund a new pavilion on the Neyland … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville | 5 Comments

As Kool & The Gang would say: Celebrate!

The annual Knoxville Area Urban League Equal Opportunity Awards Gala is a jam-packed night. You have a general reception, a VIP reception for sponsors, the awards ceremony itself, dinner and then dancing. This year, entertainment was by James “JT” Taylor, … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Music | 2 Comments

Knoxville welcomes banner hire in Rick Barnes

I know it’s football all the time right now as the countdown draws close to kickoff of the gridiron season. But for one day last week, thoughts turned to basketball as the business community hosted a reception to welcome Rick Barnes, … Continue reading

Filed under: Business, Knoxville, UT sports | 3 Comments