Tag Archives: Holly Watkins

Lakeshore Park Picnic powers back

More than 350 people spent an idyllic evening at Lakeshore Park’s HGTV Overlook last Saturday at one of the most relaxing, low-key fundraisers the town has ever seen. About 135 pre-packed picnic baskets filled with the delicious wares of 15 different … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 7 Comments

Blackberry Farm event was marvelous. Mostly.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraising dinner at Blackberry Farm was a sellout this year as folks seemed to crave getting out and about after being fully vaccinated — a requirement to attend the event. (Thank you, Knoxville Symphony!) Even … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 6 Comments

Cuisine to crave! (Don’t read this if you are hungry.)

I may already have had my best meal of 2020 — and it’s only February! You can’t beat the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s annual trek to Blackberry Farm for what many think is the best fundraiser of the year. That occurred … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 4 Comments

Dining on pinto beans at Blackberry Farm. No kidding.

Blackberry Farm, of course, is the elegantly rustic Relais & Chateaux property located on 4,200 acres in Walland adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A 45-minute drive from downtown Knoxville, it features gourmet dining as well as rooms … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 6 Comments

L’Amour du Vin 2019: It was love, all right!

L’Amour du Vin, in its 16th year and held this past weekend at the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA), is among our community’s most successful fundraisers. Benefiting the museum and aided in a big way by the chefs and staff … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville | 4 Comments

Knoxville Symphony Board: many reasons to celebrate

In addition to the holiday season, the Knoxville Symphony Society’s board of directors had much to celebrate last night when members gathered at the Historic Middlebrook mansion for a little conviviality. Hosts Rick Fox, a KSO board member, and Ralph … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville, Music | 10 Comments

Cash makes ‘Candide’ climb

Several years ago when our client Pilot Flying J got into the racing business by sponsoring a professional NASCAR driver, company CEO Jimmy Haslam told me, “Money equals speed, Mox.” What he meant was that the more money you put … Continue reading

Filed under: Knoxville, Theater | 8 Comments

Symphony ShowHouse goes uptown. (You should, too!)

Every year, the Knoxville Symphony League typically selects a brand new 5,500-square-foot home, usually on the water, and invites an assortment of interior designers to decorate its various rooms. Called the Symphony Designer ShowHouse, tours of the home are one … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Knoxville, Music | 5 Comments

Mozart in the mountains

Seventy-five Knoxville Symphony supporters gathered Sunday at Blackberry Farm for what I think is one of the best opportunities of the fundraising year. You get to have dinner at our area’s premier dining establishment AND hear an intimate 30-minute performance … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 8 Comments

Even Mother Nature loves Ijams and the Symphony

In the 32-year history of Symphony in the Park, the fun, fun event where the Knoxville Symphony plays at an outdoor fundraiser for Ijams Nature Center at the nature center, there’s never been a rain plan in place. And, although … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Music | 5 Comments