Edie Volk, past president of the Knoxville Symphony League, with former KSO Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz at one of his last performances before his move to Louisville, Kentucky.
Music by the Knoxville Symphony. Wine from Randy and Jenny Boyd’s Argentinian vineyard. Perfect weather on the lake. And food featuring such exotic elements as fried caper dust, house made elk duxelle ravioli and fried squash blossoms.
What could be better? Oh, yeah. Fireworks!
It was that kind of night recently at Tellico Village Yacht Club as Chef Bill Minkert pulled out all the stops to give KSO fans a Sunday night to remember. Symphony Board member Tom Shaw and his wife, Evelyn, sponsored the fireworks show, which we dubbed “Shaw-boom!”
It also was one of our last chances to get up close and personal with Gabe Lefkowitz, the KSO’s popular young concertmaster who is leaving Knoxville after seven years to assume the same position with the Louisville Orchestra in Kentucky, where he will share a music stand with his girlfriend, Julia Noone.
It was a perfect evening on Tellico Lake.
The Symphony’s development director, Mary Sue Greiner, left, and operations director, Rose Sampley, checked everyone in.
A quartet played welcoming tunes. From left, Ruth Bacon, Zofia Glashauser, Jennifer Bloch and Ildar Khuziakmetov.
Judy and John Griess on the porch. (John and I actually are good friends, although you may see us argue about politics some Thursday mornings on the “Heavy Hitters” program on Fox 43!)
Jim Nichols, left, and Alan Carmichael.
Karine and Spencer Smith.
From left, Dawn and Richard Ford with Phyllis Nichols.
These fig bites were fantastic little nibbles.
Carolyn Lawrence, center, with Terry and Rachel Ford. Rachel is executive director of the Symphony.
Sharon and Jim Smith.
I adore smoked salmon and these passed tartines really showed it off.
Ladies in red: Carolyn McClain, left, and Janet Bower.
Pete Sowa, left, and Mike Bernstein.
Becky Paylor, left, with Terry and Bruce Morgan.
Oh, wow. Here are those stuffed and fried squash blossoms!
Cynthia Sowa makes sure that Tom Shaw tastes one!
KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian, left, with Bob Lederer and his granddaughter, Reagan.
Sherri Gardner Howell, left, with Terry Morgan, center, and Dawn Ford.
Mary Cushman greets Bob Baldani.
It was a huggy bunch! Here are Alan Carmichael and Judy Griess.
Soon, it was time to sit down. Rhonda Webster, left, is immediate past president of the Symphony League, a hard-working group of volunteers who support the KSO. Edie Volk was League president before Rhonda.
First course was a salad of Romaine chiffonade, Maytag blue cheese, pistachios and fried caper dust. I’d never heard of fried caper dust before, but it brought some salty goodness to the party.
Sid and Jo Blalock.
Frank and Jane Venable.
Evelyn and Tom Shaw.
Main course was a bone-in filet mignon with a house made elk duxelle ravioli and blueberry demi.
My meat-loving friend, Richard Ford, approved.
Alan is on a special heart-healthy diet these days. I thought his salmon looked terrific. And it was so nice of Chef Minkert to make it for him.
Speaking of Chef Bill Minkert, here he is with Mary Ann Geoffrey, left, and Mary Cushman.
Malbec from the Boyds’ vineyard and winery was a great complement to the beef.
Tom and Tess Kwiatkowski.
Ron and Carolyn Lawrence.
Spencer Smith and his mother visit with the maestro, right.
Evelyn visits with Alan.
Baked Alaskas arrive. (Note to Alan’s doctors: he didn’t eat it!)
And then it was time for music.
They loved it.
Stacy Nickell.
Rachel Loseke.
And, then: Shaw-boom!
We will leave you with a taste of the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra performing Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” — “A Little Night Music.”
The fireworks lasted almost as long as Boomsday.
Alan: I know! Thanks so much to Tom and Evelyn Shaw for Shaw-boom!
BRAVO!!!
Helen: You need to come next year! It was so much fun.
Beautiful! Loved the clip at the end. I wish I had a symphony date. Can’t drag the old ball and chain out for such culture.
Annette: Tell the “B&C” the fireworks were worth the whole evening. (Although, I really loved the music and food, too.)
It was a terrific evening, even for a “working girl” (for KnoxTnToday.com!) So good to see you and to see Alan looking so well.
Sherri: I’m so glad you could come! We love reading you in KnoxTNToday.com! They are lucky to have you.
We had a great time Cynthia! Thanks for the invitation and more importantly, the friendship Judy and I share with you and Alan.
John: Love you guys! Even our arguments!
Marvelous account! It really gives the vibe of the evening.
We love this event and appreciate being included. Fireworks are spectacular!
Carolyn: You all should come next year. You would love it.
Dawn: Loved having you and your meat-loving hubs!
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