Downtown developer David Dewhirst might be wearing a pleated shirt and have suspenders dangling from his cumberbun, but he still took advantage of batting practice offered at the Knoxville Symphony Ball. (Photo by Alan Carmichael.)
When someone says the Knoxville Symphony hit a home run with its annual ball this year, it might be a lot more accurate than you imagine!
The sold-out fundraiser was at Covenant Health Park, the home stadium of the Knoxville Smokies (and the One Knox Soccer Club) and attendees got the chance, for an extra $1,000, to actually participate in batting practice down on the field. A surprising number of formally-attired men — and women! — took advantage of the opportunity.
Ball chair Adrian Jay has built a reputation for thinking outside the box. Instead of the long-standing tradition of holding the event at Cherokee Country Club every year, she’s been coming up with unique venues — and unique themes — for the black-tie affair. In 2024, at the Mill & Mine, the theme was “License to Trill” with a Broadway star coming in to sing tunes from James Bond movies. Accompanied by the Knoxville Symphony, of course. In 2023, with a theme of “Appalachian Spring,” the ball was at The Venue, a beautiful park-like deep west location, and featured renowned mandolinist Jeff Midkiff.
At the ballpark this year, the theme “Stars & Strikes” was a perfect fit for John Phillip Sousa tunes, fireworks, and a little baseball! Check it out!
KSO Board President Rick Fox, left, with Ralph Cianelli and David Williamson, seated. Great job following the theme, guys!
The Symphony’s CEO Rachel Ford, left, with Maddie Helbling, director of education and community partnerships. Check-in was on the main concourse where there also was a photo booth sponsored by the Blue Streak.
After checking in, guests were ushered upstairs to the Club Level where they were greeted with champagne. This is Ryder Smith doing the honors.
It’s a lovely spot for a party!
Out on the balcony, we spotted, from left, Randy and Jenny Boyd with Larsen Jay, a Knox County Commissioner who is running for mayor.
Anita Hollmann Matijcio and Steven Matijcio.
From left, Elizabeth Offringa with Jim and Elizabeth Williams.
Angel Howard and Rick Stone.
From left, David and Sandy Martin with Jerry Askew.
Janet Testerman and Joey Creswell.
From left, David Dewhirst with Sharon and Joe Pryse.
The bar was doing a brisk business!
Appetizers were delish. Clockwise from top: mini crab cakes; mini chicken and wafles; and stuffed mushrooms.
Jerry and Emily Lenn.
Richard and Gina Bass.
From left, Kay Jursik, Debbie Emery, Robin Smith, and Chris Hamby.
Courtney Bergmeier, left, and Crystal Burnes.
Greg Humphrey, left, and KSO violinist Sean Claire.
Jim and Kim Hays.
John and Linda Haynes.
Joan and Jim Davis.
Charley and Linnie Sexton.
From left, RJ Hinde, John Winemiller, Kevin Burdette, Jerrod Blue, and Natalie Burdette.
Ron and Melissa Miller Feinbaum.
Ron and Carolyn Lawrence posing with a cute Smokies teddy bear that I brought to deliver on the theme considering that I look horrible in a baseball cap! Ha. My husband named the little bear “Randy.”
Randy became quite popular! Here he is with Sandra and John Butler.
Right before dinner service, all the past presidents of the Knoxville Symphony League who were in attendance gathered on the concourse for a photo. From left are Elizabeth Offringa, Theresa Stone, Linda Haynes, Jenny Kitts, Becky Benedict, Sandra Butler, Jane Venable, Harriet Hodge, Rose Moseley, Kim Cunningham, and Carolyn Lawrence.
Loved the sign on the field!
It turned out to be a lovely night on the concourse.
Sakaylea Sanders and Marcus Hall heading to their seats.
Randy found his seat.
Our friend Dino Cartwright, the evening’s emcee and auctioneer, stopped by to say hello. He’s here with Alan Carmichael and Randy.
Chuck and Laura Kinzel shared our table along with Emily and Jerry Lenn and KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian and his wife, Caraline.
Here are the Demirjians with Randy. They would later adopt the little bear and take him home to raise with their two-year-old daughter!
Caraline had a perfect hair clip!
Dinner was a citrus salad with artisan greens, blueberries, goat cheese, citrus segments, and herb vinaigrette; braised beef short ribs with garlic shrimp, creamy grits, asparagus, and carrots; and, to finish, lemon meringue pie with mint Chantilly cream.
It was great seeing our friend David Colquitt, right, even if he did outbid me on an auction item! He’s with Will Edwards.
From left, Ralph Cianelli, Madge Cleveland, and Jenny Hines.
Faith Ferguson and Don Stoner. (Photo by Jeff Bell.)
Drs. Quyn and Ayaz Rahman.
Karina and Scottie Johnson.
Sande MacMorran and Elizabeth Offringa.
The conductor is ready.
So is the audience.
Stacy Nickell, left, and Sarah Senn on cello.
Opera singer Michael Rodgers hitting all the right notes.
He received a standing ovation.
Mick Gillispie, also known as “The Voice of the Knoxville Smokies,” narrated “Casey at the Bat.”
And then it was time to hit a few!
Elegantly attired batters assembled on the field.
Watching from the stands, from left, Cathy Briscoe, Sande MacMorran, and Elizabeth Offringa. Seated behind them are Kim and Jim Hays.
Down on the field, Cheryl Masur and Joe McCamish posed with Knox, one of the Smokies’ mascots. (Photo by Alan Carmichael.)
Mary Knepper, left, and Ayca Yayman.
Congrats to these three for all their hard work and big success. The Symphony’s website says the event raised about $175,000! From left, Symphony League President Kim Cunningham, Symphony CEO Rachel Ford, and Adrian Jay, Symphony Ball chair. Bravo! (Photo courtesy of CityView Magazine.)
The fireworks were great, too!
That looks like SO MUCH FUN!! What a great idea. How will KSO ever top this?
David: I KNOW! It was a blast. Would love to have seen you out there swinging at the baseball! We’ll see what they come up with.