Strolling violinist Al Colombo added an Old World feel to Dogwood After Dark.
From the “Better Late than Never” department, we bring you a look at Dogwood After Dark, one of the earlier Dogwood Arts Festival events last month. Been a little busy lately, but these pictures brought back memories of such a fun and relaxing evening, that I thought they would still be worth posting.
Dogwood After Dark is a relatively new addition to the Dogwood Arts Festival. It is an event that moves around. It has been at the Knoxville Museum of Art and at Latitude 35 in past years. This year, it was at the Region’s Bank parking lot across Union Avenue from Market Square. Huge see-through tents, courtesy of event sponsor All Occasions Party Rentals, made for a perfect environment from which one could enjoy being outdoors, but still feel as if he or she were in an enclosed space. With a jazzy band, Frog and Toad’s Dixie Stomp, food by Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining, and wine tastings from seven generous distributors, it was a memorable Friday night in downtown Knoxville.
Set up to have the feel of an Old World vineyard, it seemed natural to have a strolling violinist in the friendly personage of Al Colombo making the rounds. A special shout-out to the Dogwood After Dark Committee chairs: our friends Gay Lyons, Chris Davis and Craig Shelton. Great job, folks.
Click here to see a glimpse of Dogwood After Dark last year. And here to see the 2011 version of the event. We can’t wait to see what they come up with in 2014!
Jerry Kruse, owner of The Pour Guys, our favorite bartending service, welcomes guests with nibbles.
The Food Network was one of the major sponsors and provided these Riedel glasses for everyone to use for the tastings and then take home.
Our friend Erin Donovan of WBIR-TV was up on the table crushing grapes with her bare feet! Ha! This girl will do anything!
Chris Davis and his business partner, Craig Shelton, of The Drawing Room, were in charge of the centerpieces.
Aren't they pretty? And safe. Comforting not to have an open flame in a tent.
Moxley Carmichael's Lauren Christ, left, with Jeff and Becky Ashin. Jeff is the new executive director of Young-Williams Animal Center. Lauren served on the event's planning committee.
Lisa Duncan, left, executive director of the Dogwood Arts Festival, with Lanny and Lisa Cope.
From left, Alan Carmichael, Nick Cazana and Michael Foltz
One of the appetizers: pork confit on Cruze Farm buttermilk rolls. Yum.
Duck confit on buckwheat blinis
WVLT-TV's Dino Cartwright also was a member of the planning committee.
Planning committee member Janet Testerman and Joey Creswell
Holly Hambright decorated four heads with flora to honor the four seasons. This is spring.
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Wasn’t that a cool idea?
WBIR-TV's Kara McFarland in purple dress, with, from left, her father Julius Krisanic, husband Ian McFarland, and mother Rita Krisanic.
Dessert offered lots of choices.
The happy crowd
From left, Jen Leitman, Bitty and Lisa King, and Jen Moore, all of Great American Country Network. Bitty and Lisa were making an appearance on behalf of the reality show "Farm Kings," which airs on GAC.
Vicki Baumgartner, left, and Gay Lyons, both of whom were on the planning committee
Craig Shelton, left, of the planning committee, with Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas
Frog and Toad's Dixie Stomp
A mighty big sax
Bill Morris and Erin Donovan cutting a rug
They don't call it swing for nothing!
Becky Dockery, left, and Jennifer Holder
From left, Anita Lane, Sandi Swilley, Sharon Meredith and Marion Epps
Gina Changas, center, with Christi and Scott Branscom
Dino Cartwright, left, with Rebecca and Alan Williams. Both Dino and Alan are with WVLT-TV. Rebecca is with the Convention Center.
From left, Lauren Davis and Amanda Hara, both of WVLT-TV, and Lauren Christ
Lia Broussard, left, with Mary Ellen Brewington
What a great event! This entire committee is such a joy to work with. They always dream up and execute an amazing vision, and this year was no exception. I’m just glad they let me help promote it and stick around for the fun — and it was definitely a lot of fun!
Thanks for coming–and thanks for taking these fun photos!
Thanks, Lauren and Gay. Very nice job on your parts. What will you all ever do to top yourselves?
The key to a successful endeavor like this is a great team. Shout outs to Chris Davis, Craig Shelton, Janet Testerman, Judith Foltz, Lauren Christ, Dino Cartwright, Barbara Grobiski, Vicki Baumgartner, Kelly Absher, Dennis Perkins, and Jason McClure. Stay tuned to see what happens in 2014.
Hey, Gay, you are so right. What a great team. Thanks for listing all of them.
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