Symphony in the Park: a sublime Sunday

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performing at nightfall this past Sunday at Ijams Nature Center.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performing at nightfall this past Sunday at Ijams Nature Center.

You can’t beat this for a fundraiser. Imagine, if you will, a beautiful park with 500 fun-loving friends eating scrumptious food, sipping wine and then listening to an orchestra perform some of the best music in Western civilization. Pretty sweet, huh?

Stephen and April Harris are long-time presenting sponsors of Symphony in the Park.

Stephen and April Harris are longtime presenting sponsors of Symphony in the Park.

That pretty much sums up the 28th annual Symphony in the Park, a fundraiser for Ijams Nature Center featuring music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Astonishingly, in all those years, it never has rained on this outdoor event.

The theme for this year’s Symphony in the Park was “flight.” To that end, sculptor Derek White created a number of bird-related pieces and offered to donate 10 percent of the sales to Ijams. Maestro Lucas Richman, getting into the spirit of the evening, opened the one-hour concert with “Overture to La Gazza Ladra” by Gioachino Rossini. Translation: “The Thieving Magpie.” Cute. The concert also featured performances by local singer Logan Brill, who wowed us with her ethereal vocals.

This is a beautiful night made even more appealing by the fact that it concludes by 8:30, which is very good because it is on a Sunday.

This large crane sculpture by Derek White greets visitors to Ijams Nature Center.

This large crane sculpture by Derek White greets visitors to Ijams Nature Center.

Two guests at the Moxley Carmichael table were Jim and Phyllis Nichols.

Two guests at the Moxley Carmichael table were Jim and Phyllis Nichols.

Derek White birds on the lawn.

Derek White birds on the lawn.

I thought the tables looked fresh and beautiful.

I thought the tables looked fresh and beautiful.

Here is sculptor Derek  White, center, with his parents, Whitey and Ellen Hitchcock, during the cocktail hour and silent auction.

Here is sculptor Derek White, center, with his parents, Whitey and Ellen Hitchcock, during the cocktail hour and silent auction.

Ham biscuits were among the appetizers being passed.

Ham biscuits were among the appetizers being passed.

From left, Diane Desvaux, Anna Ford and Joan Ashe

From left, Diane Desvaux, Anna Ford and Joan Ashe

Ijams' executive director, Paul James, left, with my husband, Alan Carmichael.

Ijams' executive director, Paul James, left, with my husband, Alan Carmichael.

Carol and Joe Pelliccia.

Carol and Joe Pelliccia.

Mayor Madeline Rogero with News Sentinel Publisher Patrick Birmingham, center, and University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro.

Mayor Madeline Rogero with News Sentinel Publisher Patrick Birmingham, center, and University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro.

From left, Grant Blevins, David Brill, singer Logan Brill and Les Cunningham

From left, Grant Blevins, David Brill, singer Logan Brill and Les Cunningham

Sommerville and Bret Culbertson

Sommerville and Bret Culbertson

The pimento cheese had a little kick to it and was fantastic.

The pimento cheese had a little kick to it and was fantastic.

Tommy and Charlotte Schumpert

Former Knox County Executive Tommy and Charlotte Schumpert

County Commissioner Dave and Pat Wright

County Commissioner Dave and Pat Wright

One of Alan's favorite snacks

One of Alan's favorite snacks

Here's another Derek White bird piece.

Here's another Derek White bird piece.

Lots of silver birds

Lots of silver birds

This big feather was pretty cool!

This big feather was pretty cool!

County Commissioner Mike and Jan Brown

County Commissioner Mike and Jan Brown

From left, Janell, Bill and Lauren Cecil

From left, Janell, Bill and Lauren Cecil

From left, Betsey Bush, Dr. Michelle Brewer, Jackie Wilson, Sarah Nielsen and Mary Johnson

From left, Betsey Bush, Dr. Michelle Brewer, Jackie Wilson, Sarah Nielsen and Mary Johnson

Evelyn and Tom Shaw

Evelyn and Tom Shaw

Kristin and Eric Seabrook

Kristin and Eric Seabrook

Jon and Mintha Roach

Jon and Mintha Roach

Ha! Look at these three great purses! Mintha is planning a trip to Charleston, where she got hers, and the other ladies placed orders for her to bring them each back another one, as well!

Ha! Look at these three great purses! Mintha is planning a trip to Charleston, S.C., where she got hers, and the other ladies placed orders for her to bring them each back another one, as well! That's Sherri Lee in the center and Betsey Bush on the right.

They are beautiful, aren't they?

They are beautiful, aren't they?

When it was time to go to our tables, we found plates of this herby focaccia waiting for us. Yum.

When it was time to go to our tables, we found plates of this herbed focaccia waiting for us. Yum.

I was delighted to see the little jars of pickled okra scattered around the table. Love, love okra!

I was delighted to see the little jars of pickled okra scattered around the table. Love, love okra!

Our table was well prepared in many ways!

Our table was well prepared in many ways!

Knoxville's favorite diva, Mary Costa, center, with Marilyn and Chris Burkhart getting ready to take their seats. Mary is still so stunning, isn't she?

Knoxville's favorite diva, Mary Costa, center, with Marilyn and Chris Burkhart getting ready to take their seats. Mary is still so stunning, isn't she?

This was my favorite dinner item: black eyed peas salad served on top of cole slaw. The combination of creamy and crunchy was amazing.

This was my favorite dinner item: black-eyed pea salad served on top of coleslaw. The combination of creamy and crunchy was amazing.

Jennifer and John Duncan

Jennifer and John Duncan

The main course was fried chicken. What could be more perfect for a picnic in the park?

The main course was fried chicken. What could be more perfect for a picnic in the park?

Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis, who joined us at the Moxley Carmichael table, is a leg man!

Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis, who joined us at the Moxley Carmichael table, is a leg man!

Amy and Tim Williams

Amy and Tim Williams

Sweet! Marilyn and Patrick Roddy

Sweet! Marilyn and Patrick Roddy

More lovebirds: Holly and Russ Watkins

More lovebirds: Holly and Russ Watkins

Doug and Melissa White

Doug and Melissa White

April Harris, left, with David and Sandy Martin

April Harris, left, with David and Sandy Martin

A snake was spotted on the top level, far left. Yikes! (It was pointed out to me that they live there and we are just temporary guests. But, yikes!)

A snake was spotted on the top level, far left. Yikes! (It was pointed out to me that they live there, and we are just temporary guests. But, yikes!)

Lyle and Trish Irish were guests at the News Sentinel table.

Lyle and Trish Irish were guests at the News Sentinel table.

Steve Bowman and Diana Condon of the News Sentinel

Steve Bowman and Diana Condon of the News Sentinel

Ray and Jackie Fisher

Ray and Jackie Fisher

Keyes and Melissa Williamson

Keyes and Melissa Williamson

County Commissioner Tony and Jani Norman

County Commissioner Tony and Jani Norman

Knox County Trustee Craig and Brenda Leuthold

Knox County Trustee Craig and Brenda Leuthold

County Law Director Bud and Patti Jo Armstrong

County Law Director Bud and Patti Jo Armstrong

Mary Thom Adams of Ijams gives an interview to WATE-TV.

Mary Thom Adams of Ijams gives an interview to WATE-TV.

Tasha Mahurin, left, hosting the Knoxville Focus table, with Anita Lane.

Tasha Mahurin, left, hosting the Knoxville Focus table, with Anita Lane.

Terry and Rachel Ford. She's executive director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Terry and Rachel Ford. She's executive director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Angela Howard, center, with her mother, Sue, and boyfriend, Rick Stone

Angela Howard, center, with her mother, Sue, and boyfriend, Rick Stone

Mark and Cathy Mamantov

Mark and Cathy Mamantov

Then cam Alan's favorite part of any meal: dessert. In this case, little lemon tarts.

Then came Alan's favorite part of any meal: dessert. In this case, little lemon tarts.

Carol Evans, right, received The Spirit Award for her work as executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Bestowing the honor is Karyn Adams, chair of the Ijams Board of Directors.

Carol Evans, right, received The Spirit Award for her work as executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Bestowing the honor is Karyn Adams, chair of the Ijams Board of Directors.

Getting ready for the performance are, from left, Jennifer Barnett, the KSO's director of education and community partnerships; Maestro Lucas Richman; Stacy Taylor, KSO's director of operations; and Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz

Getting ready for the performance are, from left, Jennifer Barnett, the KSO's director of education and community partnerships; Maestro Lucas Richman; Stacy Taylor, KSO's director of operations; and Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz

Maestro Richman conducting after dark.

Maestro Richman explaining one of the pieces. The nightfall added drama, don't you think?

Vocalist Logan Brill

Vocalist Logan Brill

Our buddies Mickey Mallonee, left, and Gay Lyons after the show.

Our buddies Mickey Mallonee, left, and Gay Lyons after the show.

Big kudos to caterer Nancy Kendrick, here with my husband, Alan.

Big kudos to caterer Nancy Kendrick, here with my husband, Alan.

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4 Responses to Symphony in the Park: a sublime Sunday

  1. Gay Lyons, on September 13th, 2013 at 10:22 pm said:

    Great evening–always look forward to it. Lovely setting, music, food. The Blue Streak summed it up–Sublime.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on September 14th, 2013 at 4:53 am said:

    I agree, Gay. It is one of the best nights of the year. Here’s hoping the good luck on the weather continues!

  3. Tasha Blakney, on September 14th, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:

    We always look forward to this event! And, you answered my question about the rain. We’ve been for the past six or seven years in a row with the great folks from Jupiter Entertainment (my husband included!). It’s never rained on us, and I wondered if it ever had in the past. Glad to know the sun always shines on this event!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on September 15th, 2013 at 10:21 am said:

    Isn’t that an amazing winning streak, Tasha? Already looking forward to next year.

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