Jamar Rogers, a 30-year-old singer/songwriter who is HIV-positive, brought the star power to Southern Summer's Night.
It has come to be known as THE fun event of summer. Southern Summer’s Night, also called Hope 2013 (this year), is the huge outdoor gala held every year at the historic Middlebrook mansion to raise money for Covenant Health’s Hope Center.
Hope Center was established in 1996 to address the unmet needs of patients infected with HIV in Knox and the surrounding 20 counties. Due to gaps in care for this population, Hope Center began developing practical supportive care programs at no charge to inpatients, outpatients and families affected by HIV and other serious illnesses. The Center relies entirely on charitable gifts and donations for its existence.
Southern Summer’s Night is part of that fundraising effort. Special musical guest this year was Jamar Rogers, a finalist on “The Voice” who himself is HIV-positive. Rogers also has battled an addiction to crystal meth and admits to sharing needles and having sex with women and men in exchange for drugs or money. But all that is behind him now. He is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on a social awareness campaign called “Let’s Stop HIV Together.” As he showed during his performance in Knoxville, he has a very engaging personality. Rogers’ personal history gives him credibility and makes his message even more powerful.
We have been to this event for several years now and just find it to be so much fun on a balmy night in the middle of summer. More than 350 folks were there this year and they snapped up some great deals in the silent and live auctions. I’m sure you’ll see friends of yours in these photos. Plan to join them next year!
From left, Ralph Cianelli and Rick Fox of Historic Middlebrook with Mary Ellen Brewington and Craig Shelton, co-chairs of the event
Covenant Health CEO Tony Spezia and his wife, Sharon
Alan Carmichael with state Sen. Becky Massey, center, and Courtney Kohlhepp
Kelly and Mike Conley
From left, Jeff Cupp, Jim Landreth, Bart Weaver and Tim Young
James Newburn, left, with Tina Rolen and Bill Pittman
Joan Ashe, left, with Kent and Kim Lauth
Michelle Hardin, left, and Pam Fansler
Jerry Bodie and Gay Lyons
Bill and Ginny Morrow
Rock and Debby Saracini
Hosts Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli, right, with Ralph's sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Alex Massimi, who flew in from New York for the party. (Photo by Craig Shelton)
Michael and Judith Foltz with Scott Bishop, right
Tony Spezia, left, with Allison Beaver and Michael Strickland
Frank Munger
From left, Rosa Mar, Dawn Ford, Susan Brown and Mark Grayson
Sam Maynard and Susan Rothchild
Mary Ellen Brewington and Morton Massey
Ralph Cianelli, left, and Alan Carmichael
Artist Cynthia Markert had a nice piece in the silent auction.
Richard Jolley had a self-portrait.
I liked this bird. And there were scores of other offerings.
From left, Craig Shelton, Rick Fox and Gary Young of Covenant Health
From left, Nancy Strange, Carolyn Schwenn and Jackie Lane
Dr. Michelle Brewer, left, and Sherri Gardner Howell
Victor Ashe, left, with Jennifer Holder and Richard Ford
Jacqueline Newman, left, and Willene Chalmers
Rick Fox, left, with Janet Testerman and Joey Creswell
Steve Brewington with his (and my) favorite brand of beer!
From left, Jeff Cupp, Mary Ellen Brewington, Shanna Browning and Tim Young
Knoxville Museum of Art Executive Director David Butler and Terry Holley
From left, Laura Wallace, Susan Rothchild, Morton Massey and Nathan Rothchild
Jackie Wilson, left, and Dawn Ford
Sid and Jo Blalock
Michael Higdon, left, and Scott Bird
Ralph, left, and Rick, right, pose with the star of the evening, Jamar Rogers.
Jenny Hines
Mickey Mallonee
Jamar Rogers told his story and delivered a great performance.
He is committed to helping lift the stigma associated with being HIV-positive.
This is Jamar's mother, with whom he said he has reconciled after a long period of estrangement.
As you can see, the crowd was really into the performance.
And then, fireworks!
It was a great evening.
It is hard to imagine how this party could get any bigger or better. Such fun! And for such a good cause. Kudos to all who work so hard to put this together every year.
This party used to be primarily gay men. Wow. Knoxville has changed. Or the photos of the men didn’t make the cut.
Gay, I agree. Everyone involved should be commended. And John, I think Knoxville has changed — for the better. There were plenty of gay folks there, but isn’t it great that the entire community is now behind this important cause?
This is “the” party of the summer. Fantastic entertainment and fireworks–all for a very good cause. Thank you event organizers!
Yes. I agree. It was around 2000 when women were finally invited. Great to see all types. And loyal friends for a good cause.
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