Surprise guest Daniel Joseph Baker, a semifinalist on America's Got Talent
I go to a lot of great parties, but I think the one we went to this past Saturday may be in contention to be the party of the year!
It also was nice that this super party was to benefit one of Moxley Carmichael‘s best clients, Covenant Health. Specifically, Hope 2012 is a party and huge auction that funds the Hope Center at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
Hope Center provides supportive care at no charge to patients and families affected by HIV or other serious illnesses. Its mission is to address individual needs, quality of life, end-stage care, provide HIV education, and sustain hope in a nonjudgmental environment. Who can argue with those lofty goals?
But, let me assure you, this party, named “A Southern Summer’s Night,” was something else. The surprise guest at the event was Daniel Joseph Baker, the young entertainer who made it to the semifinals in last year’s America’s Got Talent TV show. (Click here to see his progress on the show.)
He brought down the house — before AND after a spectacular fireworks show. (I LOVE fireworks! Used to even go to baseball games just to see them. And I HATE baseball!)
The event, held under a massive tent and on the patio of the historic Middlebrook mansion, also featured some of the best auction items I’ve seen. I’ll show you some of the silent auction items. Among the live items, dinner for 10 with Mayor Madeline Rogero brought a whopping $4,000!
Big credit goes to Rick Fox and Ralph Cianelli, who own and live at Middlebrook, as well as to event co-chairs Jenny Hines and Patricia Robledo. Honorary chair was Mayor Rogero. But big hat-tip also to Gary Young, a Covenant Health staffer who was point person on this event. The inimitable Dino Cartwright of WVLT-TV, Channel 8 was master of ceremonies.
Here is historic Middlebrook, 4001 Middlebrook Pike
Our hosts, Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli
Jenny Hines, one of the event co-chairs, jokes around with a life-size stand-up of Mary Ellen Brewington, a sponsor who could not be there on Saturday.
Hahaha!
Look at this awesome dress Susan Arbital is wearing! The theme of the evening was "stars." Perhaps because the judges on America's Got Talent kept telling Daniel Joseph Baker, "You are a star!"
From left, Ginny Morrow, Donna and Sid Law, and Bill Morrow, on the patio
Covenant Health CEO Tony Spezia poses with Sylvia Peters, center, and his wife, Sharon.
Jeannie Dulaney, center, with Barry and Madge Cleveland
Dawn and Richard Ford
Chad and Robin Tindell
Nancy Brennan Strange and her band provided a mellow, jazzy vibe. I think they should be called "Strange Fellows." But they are not.
Horace Smith and Nancy Brennan Strange singing, appropriately, "Summertime."
The patio was starting to fill up at around 8 p.m.
Thomas Dice and Sharon Lord
From left, Sandra Robledo, Gabriela Moy, Marisa Craig and John Craig
From left, Gay Lyons, Mayor Madeline Rogero and Audrey Williams
Alan Carmichael and Gina Williams
Dr. Bedford Waters, center, with Tiffany and Tommy Siler
Bill Regas and Janet Testerman Crossley
Ken and Tammy Knight
In the silent auction tent, we ran into James Newburn, left, and Jimmy Brimer.
Bill Roberts and Nancy Harrison were in there, too.
This wall hanging, one of the silent auction items, was called "Blowfish." I can understand why.
I loved this cast iron French oven!
Susan and Nathan Rothchild were looking over the silent auction offerings.
Mexican ceramic cat
Greg and Jennifer Dunn
Jennifer Dunn, center, with her parents, Tom and Margaret Scanlan. Margaret is a well-known Knoxville artist.
Loved these cute stepping stones. But we live in a downtown condo with no place for stepping stones.
This large Cynthia Markert piece was tempting.
From left, Karen Massey, Dino Cartwright (emcee extraordinaire!) and Elizabeth Thomas
Dawn Ford and Eddie Mannis
Volunteers made more than 500 of these stars for decorations! Wow.
Tasha Blakney and Michael Rogers
From left, Jim Landreth, Scott Bishop and Bart Weaver
Dr. Bedford Waters, left, with Sharon Bailey and Dick Brower
Alice and Charlie Mercer. As dusk fell, blue lights emanated from the stage.
Gay Lyons and Sam George
Marga and Jay McBride
Steven Smith, left, and Donald Thorne
Law partners David Eldridge and Tasha Blakney
Sam Maynard and Rosa Mar
Janet Testerman and Craig Shelton
State Sen. Becky Massey, left, and Missy Kane
Willene Chalmers
Desiree Fox and David Eldridge
And then, Daniel Joseph Baker took the stage!
I'm sure that microphone placement was unintentional.
Just as he did on America's Got Talent, Baker exuded a certain charisma.
He's a doll.
So are his dancers!
Then they rolled out a keyboard and the mood softened.
And the dancers looked like angels.
Doing the countdown to the fireworks were, from left, Rick Fox, Mayor Rogero, Daniel Joseph Baker, Jenny Hines, Patricia Robledo and Ralph Cianelli.
And then, boom!
It lasted about 10 minutes.
It was a great fireworks show!
Then Daniel Joseph Baker came back out wearing the outfit he’s wearing in the first photo on this blog.
He had some fans in awe.
Others were finding it hard not to dance!
Meanwhile, my friend Richard noticed the dancers coming out from behind the stage. I asked them if they would pose for a photo with him.
"Do I look too happy?" Richard asked when I showed him the picture!
As we left around 11, I took this picture of the dance floor. Which just goes to show, disco is not dead!
While I didn’t attend the event, we saw the fireworks. What a spectacular show!! One day, I hope to attend the event.
Rick and Ralph and their team have done it again. Another awesome, over the top party–all done to benefit the Hope Center. The fireworks were the best ever!
I want to go! Looks like so much fun and such a good cause.
The folks associated with the Hope Center know how to PARTY! Thanks Rick and Ralph, Lennie and Anne, Gary and so many others who made this a fabulous evening! I lost out on the auction items,..boo-whoo..but I came away having had a great evening for a very worthy cause. Rock on Hope Center!
This truly gets better every year. As a Volunteer I Love looking forward to seeing our return guests as well as new ones and this year the Fireworks were soo amazing one guest I heard comment, Better than Boomsday!!!
How do you get your name on this invite list? Looks super fun.
Michael: I think you would love it. Something to look forward to. Gay: Agree about the fireworks — and the party. Katharine and Mickey: You all simply must be there next year. It’s a fundraiser, so all you have to do is buy a ticket. And they were just $100. Terry and Mychael: Agree on all counts!
Congratulations on a truly spectacular event, surely elevated by the nature of the deeply-deserving cause. Kudos to the brigade it took to plan and execute the grand plan, I so vicariously enjoyed the auction items, fireworks and beautiful crowd. Appreciate the sharing, Cynthia! Gave me hope. 😉
This looks so much fun! Everyone looks like they had a blast! I would totally go here next year.
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