“Symphony Soiree:” A musical and culinary smorgasbord

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

KSO violinist Sean Claire has talents in the kitchen as well as on the stage!

The so-called “Symphony Soiree” was earlier this week in downtown Knoxville and, once again, it did not disappoint. This is the annual fundraising event where musicians of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, as well as Knoxville Symphony League members, bring a smorgasbord of covered dishes for dinner and members of the League bring all the desserts. 

The dining is followed by a series of short performances by KSO musicians. Held at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral‘s community room, it’s casual and fun. (Of course it doesn’t hurt that St. John’s is located in the same block as our downtown condominium!)

The “Soiree” is part of the Symphony League’s “Elegant Dining” series of events. They, along with the annual Symphony Ball, are the main fundraisers for the Knoxville Symphony, bringing in more than $200,000 annually. There are 11 dinners, lunches, and outings remaining this season and some have a few tickets available. Click here to browse the offerings.

In the meantime, browse these photos to see how multi-talented the members of the Knoxville Symphony — and their supporters — truly are! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 2 Comments

Chef Rick Bayless wows Knox art and wine crowd

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Featured Chef Rick Bayless with downtown Knoxville resident and foodie Jacque Hawks.

One of the hottest chefs in America was in Knoxville a few days ago and our art and wine lovers were the happy beneficiaries. Chef Rick Bayless, who owns seven restaurants — mostly in Chicago with New York City, Las Vegas, and Orlando thrown in for good measure — was the featured chef at L’Amour du Vin, the premier fundraiser for the Knoxville Museum of Art.

A packed and enthusiastic crowd also welcomed featured artist Tiffany Calvert of St. Louis, and featured vintners Michael and Sarah Browne of CIRQ/CHEV Estate in Windsor, California.

This was the 23rd year for the super-successful and super-fun event, which was originally the brainchild of art lovers Susan and Lee Hyde, who saw what a big deal a wine auction was for the High Museum in Atlanta and helped bring the concept here. Longtime presenting sponsors are Blackberry Farm and Lexus of Knoxville.

Chef Bayless and his wife, Deann, founded Chicago’s famous Frontera Grill in 1987 and received the James Beard Foundation’s highest award, Outstanding Restaurant, in 2007. Their 4-star Topolobampo, which served its first meals in 1991, earned the Beard Foundation’s award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2017 — a unprecedented accomplishment for side-by-side restaurants. At Topolobampo, Bayless also has achieved a different feat: earning and maintaining a Michelin star since the guide first came to Chicago 12 years ago. And he’s won a total of seven James Beard Awards. Continue reading →

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Weather gods smiled upon 19th annual “Mardi Growl”

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

“Best of Show” award went to “Punk Rock in Purple!”

Downtown Knoxville, like the rest of our community, has really been through it with the weather recently. But, on Saturday, the weather gods bestowed a blessing as hundreds of canines and thousands of humans took over downtown Knoxville from the Old City to World’s Fair Park for the 19th annual Mardi Growl parade and festival benefiting Young-Williams Animal Center.

The four-legged participants even made their presence felt on Market Square as their humans took them for breakfast, brunch or lunch on the many outside patios before and after the festivities. The temperature remained in the low 70s throughout the afternoon.

Mardi Growl, in its 19th year, is a major fundraiser for Young-Williams, the official animal shelter for Knoxville and Knox County. Under the direction of CEO Janet Testerman, Young-Williams has maintained its “no-kill” status since 2018, which means sustaining a “save rate” of 90 percent or more for all medically and behaviorally treatable animals.

The organization’s vision: “a home for every pet.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Downtown, Events | 2 Comments

Furrows named “Heroes;” party looks like hootenanny!

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

John Tolsma and his son, John II, were the emcees last week when his in-laws, Sam and Ann Furrow, were designated “Heroes of Southern Appalachia” at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris. 

Sam and Ann Furrow at the Museum of Appalachia prior to receiving the “Heroes of Southern Appalachia Award.”

The award, in its fifth year, recognizes “individuals of Southern Appalachian
heritage who exemplify perseverance, fortitude, self-reliance, and service.”

But John, upon looking around the room, declared, “This just looks like a hootenanny with their best friends!”

He was right! The place was packed with folks there to celebrate the venerable couple, most of whom count the Furrows among their closest companions. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation | 8 Comments

Fete toasts Duane Grieve, but don’t use the “r-word”

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Marsha and Duane Grieve at the reception in his honor last week.

Duane Grieve is leaving his position as executive director of the East Tennessee Community Design Center, a post he’s held for eight years, but don’t call it “retirement,” he insists!

Grieve was the honoree last week at a sweet little reception held at the non-profit’s headquarters behind WATE-TV which occupies the historic Greystone mansion on North Broadway. The little building was packed almost from the time the event started because Duane Grieve is a popular guy!

Grieve, one of Knoxville’s preeminent architects, is probably best known by the general public as an eight-year member of Knoxville City Council, on which he served from 2009 to 2017. He also was the city’s vice mayor for three of those years.

But he has a special place in my heart because one of his passion projects as an architect was the revitalization of the historic Miller’s Department Store building on Gay Street. That’s where the public relations firm that my husband, Alan Carmichael, and I owned — then known as Moxley Carmichael — was happily located for 20 years. The building truly is a beautiful — and functional — treasure. Thanks, in a large part, to Duane Grieve. Continue reading →

Filed under: Business, Historic preservation | 2 Comments

“Cabaret:” An over-the-top blast! Until it’s not.

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

The first theatrical show in the brand new Jenny Boyd Theatre on the University of Tennessee campus opened on Friday night and it is a dazzling production of the musical “Cabaret.”

Curtain call at the Kit Kat Club! Four of “Cabaret’s” stars, from left, Bryce Hagen, Tricia Matthews, Sammy Pontello, and John Cherry.

The music, singing, dancing, acting, staging, costumes, and lighting are all superb. I have seen “Cabaret” on stage and screen in the past, of course. But never has it hit me in the gut the way this version did on Friday. Continue reading →

Filed under: Knoxville, Theater | 9 Comments

Natalie Haslam: “A gift to all of us”

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Natalie Haslam, right, in 2020 at the Knoxville Museum of Art for the opening of a Beauford Delaney exhibit. With her are her husband, Jim Haslam, and her step-daughter, Ann Haslam Bailey.

A celebration of life was held for Natalie Haslam January 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville. The some 500-seat sanctuary was standing room only and the services were live-streamed into an overflow space for those who couldn’t even wedge into the standing areas. 

“Today we celebrate a life well-lived and a love well-loved,” said Natalie Haslam’s step-son, former Knoxville mayor and Tennessee governor Bill Haslam from the pulpit during a short and emotional remembrance. “She was a role model to so many people of what love looks like,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many people told me, ‘I want my marriage to be like theirs is.'”

Natalie Haslam was married for 50 years to James A. Haslam, II, the founder of Pilot Company, which today is the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America. She supported him in his business and other endeavors, but she also was a community leader in her own right.

“Natalie would have never, ever called herself a feminist pioneer,” Bill Haslam said. “But she was the very first woman to do a lot of things in this community. She did it because she loved this community.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 18 Comments

It’s 2026: Let’s get this party started!

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Maria and Kevin McHale at midnight on New Year’s Eve at J.C. Holdway in downtown Knoxville.

There is no more festive location in which to ring in the new year each December 31st, than the downtown restaurant called J.C. Holdway. Located at 501 Union Avenue, it’s owned and operated by Joseph Lenn, Knoxville’s only James Beard Award-winning chef, and his wife, Laura, a distinguished professor at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business.

Last Wednesday, the eatery’s amazing staff prepared and served an exquisite seven-course repast to a sold out dining room — twice. We arrived at 8 p.m. and stayed until past the stroke of midnight. That arrival time meant we also got to see some folks who were just finishing up their meal from the earlier seating.  When we heard their rave reviews, we knew we were in for an amazing dining experience. That’s actually an understatement.

I’ll show you the highlights of the menu and the evening, but I think the fact that we have made this a standing New Year’s Eve tradition is the ultimate testament. I just hope it’s a harbinger of good times to come in 2026! We’re ready for it! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food | 3 Comments

Chamique Holdsclaw: ‘No one heals alone.’

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Chamique Holdsclaw speaking last week at Knoxville Convention Center during a luncheon for Volunteer Ministry Center.

Former Lady Vol basketball star Chamique Holdsclaw, an Olympic gold medalist and WNBA Hall of Famer, opened up to a large luncheon crowd at the Knoxville Convention Center last week about her own mental health struggles. 

In the process, she urged the audience which had gathered for a fundraiser for the Volunteer Ministry Center, to support efforts to help the community’s homeless population. 

“That could be me,” she said when reflecting on someone she knew who experienced homelessness. “I lost hope. I didn’t survive because I was strong. I survived because people refused to leave me alone.”

Holdsclaw said she was raised by her grandmother due to her parents’ battles with schizophrenia and alcoholism. She said those early experiences caused childhood trauma which later resulted in her extended battles with depression, anxiety, and even a suicide attempt. 

She said she took inspiration from something her UT basketball coach, Pat Summitt, often said: “Enough complaining. What are you going to do about it?”

“Struggling does not mean you are weak; it means you are human,” Holdsclaw said. “Life begins in the re-build. No one heals alone.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 8 Comments

After 22 years, we have this cookie thing down!

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Best purse award goes to Erin Donovan, whose pocketbook, designed by Betsey Johnson, was shaped like a gingerbread house and actually lit up!

Our annual cookie exchange is in the books once again and I have the crumbs on the floor to prove it! Actually, this party is a group effort each year and I don’t mind sweeping up a little bit afterwards.

And, as usual, the cookies were superb! I don’t think Santa himself fares any better than do the women at this yearly event, held this past Sunday for the 22nd time! The historic J.C. Penney Building on Gay Street, where my husband, Alan, and I have a condo, turns out to be perfect to accommodate my enthusiastic friends group. Because the space formerly housed the furniture department at J.C. Penney, it has large open spaces that allow for gathering, eating lunch, and displaying literally hundreds of cookies!

A special thanks to my pals Susan Brown and Katie Kline, who pitched in as bartenders — Susan on the wine and mimosa front and Katie churning out Bloody Marys. And thanks to Gay Lyons who brought homemade pimento cheese as one of the appetizers. And another big shout out to Alan, who staffed the doors downstairs to help the women — and their cookies — get to the party on the fourth floor.

As usual, we’d like to encourage everyone reading this to put together your own cookie exchange. It’s a blast! And, in addition to the attendees, their families and co-workers will become big supporters of the event. After all, they are the beneficiaries, as well! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food | 10 Comments