Scruffy City Soiree: Who can resist its appeal?

Surely the friendly bartenders are not the cause of my lack of self-control at the annual Scruffy City Soiree! From left are, xxxx, xxxx, Judith Foltz and Gay Lyons.

Surely the friendly bartenders are not the cause of my lack of self-control at the annual Scruffy City Soiree! From left are Sean and Sara Martin, Judith Foltz and Gay Lyons.

Every time I go to one of these fundraisers, I promise myself (and my husband) that I will not buy anything. We live in a relatively small downtown condo and our designers, Craig Shelton and Chris Davis of The Drawing Room, have practically forbidden us from bringing in any more art.

Still it seems to happen. Especially at the Scruffy City Soiree, a benefit for Knox Heritage. It’s just that they have such great items. This year, we just couldn’t resist a framed photograph of Immaculate Conception Church, which is where we got married in 1984. The photo, by Sharon Wright Cottrell, came with a “downtown pilgrimage,” a guided tour of downtown’s historic churches by Knox Heritage’s Hollie Cook. I mean, really, who could resist?

This is a great party for a great cause. The fundraising results of over $50,000 exceeded the goals originally set by Knox Heritage. And, Chris and Craig, I promise I’ve found just the place to hang the photo!

Let’s go now, shall we, to The Foundry and see who else couldn’t resist the fabulous offerings at the 2012 Scruffy City Soiree.

Tony Cappiello, left, with Susan and Kent Farris. Tony invited everyone over to his new club, Icon Ultra Lounge, in the Sunsphere. Some of us went, as you will see at the end of this post.

Tony Cappiello, left, with Susan and Kent Farris. Tony invited everyone over to his new club, Icon Ultra Lounge, in the Sunsphere. Some of us went, as you will see at the end of this post.

I love the music of the Johnson Swingtet!

I love the music of the Johnson Swingtet!

The silent auction was crowded -- but you could still get around.

The silent auction was crowded -- but you could still get around.

Knox Heritage Executive Director Kim Trent, left, with WBIR's Erin Donovan. Erin put together a cute video featuring a mashup of fairy tales -- set in Knoxville, of course!

Knox Heritage Executive Director Kim Trent, left, with WBIR's Erin Donovan. Erin put together a cute video featuring a mashup of fairy tales -- set in Knoxville, of course!

Pamela and Dan Chips with Sam Maynard, right.

Pamela and Dan Chips with Sam Maynard, right.

From left, Ted Smith, David Butler and Allison Easterday

From left, Ted Smith, David Butler and Allison Easterday

Donna and Chuck Morris, left, with Stephanie and City Councilman George Wallace

Donna and Chuck Morris, left, with Stephanie and City Councilman George Wallace

From left, Teresa Scott, Michael Foltz and Evelyn Miller

From left, Teresa Scott, Michael Foltz and Evelyn Miller

Lee Ann Rogers and Steve Drevik

Lee Ann Rogers and Steve Drevik

Tom Cervone and Nancy Young

Tom Cervone and Nancy Young

From left, Kim Bumpas, Erin Donovan and Bill Lyons

From left, Kim Bumpas, Erin Donovan and Bill Lyons

Rosa Mar at the sumptuous three-table buffet

Rosa Mar at the sumptuous three-table buffet

Dorothy Stair, left, and Sarah Penegar

Dorothy Stair, left, and Sarah Penegar

Sandy and David Martin

Sandy and David Martin

Allyn Purvis Schwartz, left, and Elaine Clark

Allyn Purvis Schwartz, left, and Elaine Clark

Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson

Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson

Margaret Samples, left, with Peter and Kathleen Finch

Margaret Samples, left, with Peter and Kathleen Finch

Judi Starliper, left, and Lynn Beck

Judi Starliper, left, and Lynn Beck

From left, Ann Brookshire, Ken Levine and Sheena McCall

From left, Ann Brookshire, Ken Levine and Sheena McCall

Julia and Gary Bentley

Julia and Gary Bentley

From left, Cindy Hassil, David Powell, Jennifer Holder and Sue Riles. David is the general manager of the new Tupelo Honey eatery on Market Square and Sue is a trainer for the wait staff. Welcome, folks.

From left, Cindy Hassil, David Powell, Jennifer Holder and Sue Riles. David is the general manager of the new Tupelo Honey eatery on Market Square and Sue is a trainer for the wait staff. Welcome, folks.

Beth and Robert Miller

Beth and Robert Miller

Linda and John Haynes

Linda and John Haynes

Nancy and David Goodson

Nancy and David Goodson

From left, Barbara Apking, Donna Kerr and Jane Creed

From left, Barbara Apking, Donna Kerr and Jane Creed

Anna and Calvin Chappelle

Anna and Calvin Chappelle

Cathy and Mark Hill

Cathy and Mark Hill

Donna Kerr, left, and Kreis Beall

Donna Kerr, left, and Kreis Beall

John Kelley and Teenie Hayworth

John Kelley and Teenie Hayworth

Chad and Robin Tindell

Chad and Robin Tindell

I loved Emily Campen's dress and asked her to pose for this photo.

I loved Emily Campen's dress and asked her to pose for this photo.

Bill Pittman and Tina Rolen

Bill Pittman and Tina Rolen

The evenining's auctioneer, Bear Stephenson, and Shirley Elder

The evenining's auctioneer, Bear Stephenson, and Shirley Elder

Mickey Mallonee and Caesar Stair

Mickey Mallonee and Caesar Stair

Pace and Karen Robinson

Pace and Karen Robinson

From left, Ellen Robinson, Melinda Meador and Marnie Page

From left, Ellen Robinson, Melinda Meador and Marnie Page

To go along with Erin's video featuring fairy tales, Bear donned this wig for the auction and dubbed himself "Knoxilocks!"

To go along with Erin's video featuring fairy tales, Bear donned this wig for the auction and dubbed himself "Knoxilocks!"

Here's Alan's reaction when we lost out on a bid!

Here's Alan's reaction when we lost out on a bid!

For many years, Sen. Becky Massey and her husband, Morton, have been helping non-profit organizations with check-outs for their auctions. They have it down to a science. What a wonderful service.

For many years, Sen. Becky Massey and her husband, Morton, have been helping non-profit organizations with check-outs for their auctions. They have it down to a science. What a wonderful service.

Aww! Here are Jake Hudson and Becky Wade in the check-out area.

Aww! Here are Jake Hudson and Becky Wade in the check-out area.

Becky Hancock, center, of Knox Heritage with Beth Meadows, left, and Melissa Charles in the check-out area.

Becky Hancock, center, of Knox Heritage with Beth Meadows, left, and Melissa Charles in the check-out area.

As if this post weren’t long enough, here is a post-script. A group of us headed over to the Sunsphere after the Soiree to check out the new venue, Icon Ultra Lounge. It was fun, but a little hard to photograph.

The lights around the lounge are eerie but festive.

The lights around the lounge are eerie but festive.

Some other guests at Icon checking out the lights.

Some other guests at Icon checking out the lights.

This bar is called the "Rain Bar." That is flowing water behind the bartender. There also is flowing water inside the bar itself!

This bar is called the "Rain Bar." That is flowing water behind the bartender. There also is flowing water inside the bar itself!

Our group enjoying our nightcaps. From left, Jeannie Dulaney, Rosa Mar, Gay Lyons, Alan Carmichael and Bill Lyons

Our group enjoying our nightcaps. From left, Jeannie Dulaney, Rosa Mar, Gay Lyons, Alan Carmichael and Bill Lyons

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to Scruffy City Soiree: Who can resist its appeal?

  1. Lauren Christ, on October 24th, 2012 at 2:07 pm said:

    The Immaculate Conception photo and the downtown pilgrimage sound really neat. I don’t think I could’ve resisted!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on October 24th, 2012 at 3:36 pm said:

    You will have to come see the picture, Lauren. After I prevail upon Chris and Craig to hang it, of course!

  3. Gay lyons, on October 25th, 2012 at 8:57 am said:

    The Scruffy City Soirée is so much fun.Thanks for coming and supporting Knox Heritage. I am sure Craig and Chris will find a place for the photograph. And don’t forget to schedule the postcard tour you bought last year.This is the perfect weather for it!

  4. The Modern Gal, on November 4th, 2012 at 2:51 pm said:

    IC is such a great church — I’m glad y’all won that photo! And any tour given by Holly is sure to be fun. We’re still trying to decide if the Pig art we won is going over the mantel or in the dining room. Maybe by the time Scruffy City rolls around next year it will be hung 🙂

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on November 8th, 2012 at 10:10 pm said:

    Hey, MG! Glad you decided to buy it. We have a wonderful pig drawing by UT artist Hugh Bailey in our kitchen and we adore it!

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