Men’s a er-hours fashion, philanthropic gentlemen, the Heritage Ball and more
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IWC. ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME.
Brown water enthusiasts celebrate the fourth annual Beyond Bourbon
Dinner by the Bridge celebrates 30 years of Greenways for
A Tennessee Waltz raises funds for the Tennessee State Museum and museums affected by flooding
gather for the annual Fall for
for Paws raises funds to help homeless animals find their fur-ever homes
How Gentlemanly
Shining the spotlight on some of the philanthropic men of Nashville
AS THE CHRONICLER of the Nashville social scene, Nfocus has been in the room at some of the city’s top events for more than 30 years. Over the past two years, many of the institutions that have graced the pages of our magazine have celebrated 20-, 30- and 40-year milestones. We commend the work of these organizations and raise a glass to their future success.
In this, our Men’s issue, we take a look at just a few individuals who give their time, talent and treasure to building up Music City. Stylist Bentley Caldwell curates some new looks for men this fall, reflecting the trend that lit up the runways at this year’s New York Fashion Week — Western wear. We get a behindthe-wheel experience at the new Rivian outpost in the Gulch. We sit down with Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Symphony Ball. Carrington Fox visits with the visionary Matt Logan before his groundbreaking rendition of A Christmas Carol to talk about the inspiration behind this modern adaptation.
With event season in full swing, Matt Masters takes us inside the stunning 51st annual Heritage Ball. We cover the inaugural Paint the Town reception supporting the Preservation Society of Nashville. We take a step back in time at the dinner for Cheekwood’s 1929 Club, which is celebrating its 10th year. We attend the Abe’s Garden capital campaign kickoff, celebrate with The Next Door at its 20th anniversary gala, and get into the swing of things at the Harpeth Conservancy’s annual River Swing. We spend an elegant evening at the state Capitol for A Tennessee Waltz, and we take in a stunning fashion show at Cause for Paws. Tales of many more captivating events await in the following pages.
A gentleman is often defined as a chivalrous and honorable man. And in Nashville, we’re rich with generous philanthropists and community leaders who put others before themselves and live lives of service. This is a state of mind, rather than a status of society, and yet the noblemen of Nashville need no prodding to continue their important work. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.”
BY JANET KURTZ
Janet moved to Nashville 26 years ago. She is an avid reader, traveler and collector of fountain pens, and she lives in downtown Nashville with her husband, Ron, and their dog, Julep. Email her at jkurtz@nfocusmagazine.com or follow her on Instagram @musiccitytraveler
Editorial
founding editor
Herbert Fox Jr.
editor-in-chief
Janet Kurtz
contributing editors
Lindsey Lanquist, Jack Silverman
social correspondent
Gloria Houghland
contributors
Beth Alexander, Emily Bache, Jeanette Barker, Abigail Breslin, Bentley Caldwell, Chris Chamberlain, Whitney Clay, Melissa Corbin, Carrington Fox, Paige Gawley, Hannah Herner, Margaret Littman, Carson Love, Hamilton Matthew Masters, Nicolle Praino, Nancy Vienneau
Art
art director
Christie Passarello
senior photographer
Eric England
staff photographer
Angelina Castillo
contributing photographers
Michael Scott Evans, Tausha Dickinson, Peyton Hoge, Lorenzo Huerta, Hamilton
Matthew Masters
graphic designers
Sandi Harrison, Mary Louise Meadors, Tracey Starck
Marketing
events and marketing director
Robin Fomusa
brand partnerships & event manager
Alissa Wetzel
events coordinator
Maddy Fraiche
Advertising publisher
Olivia Moye Britton
advertising solutions consultants
Teresa Birdsong, Maddy Fraiche, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Allie Muirhead, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Niki Tyree, Alissa Wetzel
associate account executive
Kailey Idziak, Rena Ivanov
sales operations manager
Chelon Hasty
advertising solutions associates
Audry Houle, Jack Stejskal
Circulation
circulation manager
Gary Minnis
Business
president
Mike Smith
chief financial officer
Todd Patton
IT director
John Schaeffer
Owner
FW Publishing, LLC
Bill Freeman
Behind the Scenes
With Chef’s Market’s Jim Hagy
FROM AGE 11, Jim Hagy knew he wanted to work in hospitality. That dream started thanks to his family’s restaurant, Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, which inspired him to pursue a degree in hospitality management and food and beverage service. While studying at The University of Southern Mississippi, Jim met his wife, Cheryl, and the pair put their heads together to develop something truly unique.
Flash-forward several decades, and the couple is celebrating 27 years of their business, the Goodlettsville-based Chef’s Market Cafe & Takeaway. The eatery now has more than 300 employees with a shared aim — to create meaningful culinary experiences for their guests.
THE BASICS
Name: Jim Hagy
Hometown: Shiloh, Tenn.
ZIP code: 37072
Years in Nashville: 40
Number of cake truffles you go through per week:
750 to 1,000
As Nashville has continued to develop, Chef’s Market has followed suit. While its offerings have expanded as its business has grown, one thing has remained the same — the restaurant’s goal to foster connections through tasty food, great service and stellar hospitality.
What inspired Chef’s Market, and how has your business changed as Nashville has evolved? At Chef’s Market, we kicked off our journey with a simple but ambitious idea: to offer chef-quality cuisine that’s both approachable and economical, all while being quick. Nashville has always loved a good party, and we aimed to ensure that every gathering was infused with deliciousness and sophistication.
As Nashville has grown and embraced a more diverse food scene, we’ve eagerly evolved with it. Our offerings now include interactive stations and experiential dining options, making sure every meal isn’t just eaten, but savored. In a city as dynamic as Nashville, we believe every dining experience should be just as exciting.
What is your favorite hospitality memory? I can’t pick just one standout moment, but I always love it when guests come up to me reminiscing about weddings I catered five, 10 or even 25 years ago. They introduce me to their kids — and sometimes even their grandkids — as if I’m an old family friend. It’s such a powerful reminder that great food can create lasting memories and forge strong connections across generations.
As you look around Middle Tennessee and see all the growth, what excites you? Over the past 40-plus years I’ve been here, I’ve witnessed some incredible transformations. When Cheryl and I first moved to Nashville, we felt so welcomed by the sense of community. I know some folks worry that as the city expands, it might lose some of its charm, but I think people probably felt the same way 40 years ago too. Nashville’s charm and hospitality are deeply rooted in its culture, and I don’t see that changing. Instead, I see our family just getting a little bigger.
Is there a topic you love to nerd out about? I never get tired of discussing the historical roots of Southern cuisine. It fascinates me how various cultures — Native American, African and European — have influenced our food. The stories behind dishes like shrimp and grits — or the use of sorghum and molasses — are so tied to our region’s history.
Growing up … I was surrounded by rich culinary traditions. My grandparents started one of the oldest fish camp-style restaurants in the South, which really shaped my appreciation for the evolution of Southern food.
What legacy would you like to leave in this community? I want to leave a legacy of connection — a place where people remember and continue to enjoy Chef’s Market as a spot that brings families and communities together, creating lasting memories over shared meals and important life events. Through my work and our community involvement, I hope to inspire the next generation of chefs and entrepreneurs to push boundaries while staying true to Nashville’s spirit. I love what we do, and I look forward to continuing this journey for many years to come!
BY PAIGE GAWLEY
PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC ENGLAND
Oh, Henry!
A new Nashville restaurant from Sam Fox opens in 12South
NESTLED AMONG UPSCALE retail shops — a stone’s throw from Sevier Park — The Henry is the latest Nashville addition from Fox Restaurant Concepts, who in 2021 brought The Twelve Thirty Club to the high-end Fifth + Broadway. Its handsome Bordeaux façade, complemented by a coordinating outside host stand, is hard to miss.
With a coffee shop that morphs into a moody bourbon bar later in the day, an upstairs eatery serving new American cuisine, and a patio overlooking bustling 12South, The Henry might just disprove the old saying, “You can’t be all things to all people.”
“It’s a restaurant that you can come to in your workout clothes with a big group of friends to have brunch,” says Christopher Melly, director of operations. “You could come for coffee and have a business meeting. You could do lunch and sign a deal or a contract. You can have a bridal shower, a baby shower — you can throw a bachelorette party — and then at night, come in and have a $300 bottle of wine and a steak. And in every one of those scenarios, The Henry works.”
Christopher, who oversees all The Henry restaurants, says Nashville is the sixth location for the brand, which started in Phoenix. Other locales include Coronado, Calif.; West Hollywood, Calif.; Miami; and Dallas, with more in the works. And while there are consistent themes in terms of décor
and menu, each one is decidedly different, depending on where it is.
The Coronado location, for example, has a light, airy, coastal vibe. The Henry in Nashville leans into Tennessee’s whiskey heritage with the Bourbon Bar. In addition to a full bar with signature craft cocktails, there is an extensive bourbon selection including special editions and collaborations, such as the one between the Bardstown Bourbon Company and Goose Island Beer Co.
When entering from street level, guests will find themselves in the Bourbon Bar’s intimate setting, complete with Bordeaux leather banquettes and color-coordinated walls with wainscoting. Light-oak wideplank floors and a black-and-white marble bar give the room a relaxed but elegant feel.
Another hallmark of The Henry in Nashville is live music on weekends, made better by a state-of-the-art sound system. “We set the restaurant up and we built it with live music in mind,” says Christopher. “We have three different areas where we can plug into our speaker system. We’ve got really big firepower with our music system … We really haven’t done that anywhere else.”
BY WHITNEY CLAY
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JASON
BIHLER
AND FOOD PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE
HENRY
A LITTLE HISTORY
Sam Fox, who might be best known to Nashvillians for partnering with Justin Timberlake to open The Twelve Thirty Club on Broadway, also founded the Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts. The group currently has 12 brands with over 60 locations throughout the country, including Nashville’s North Italia. The Henry — which uses the catchphrase, “the greatest neighborhood restaurant” — will try and live up to that impressive claim starting early. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
COME, STAY A WHILE
In the main restaurant, the wood floors, winecolored leather booths and brass pendant lights infuse the space with warmth. The dining room opens into a terrace with its own bar outfitted with rattan furniture and banquettes with striped cushions. With fall upon us, the retractable ceiling and walls assure summer can last a lot longer. Nelsen Partners, with o ces in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Austin, Texas, worked with Scottsdale-based Testani Design Troupe to oversee the design. The restaurant seats 150 upstairs and 40 downstairs.
ON THE MENU
Another first for The Henry, inspired by its popularity at The Twelve Thirty Club, is sushi — spicy tuna and crispy rice, a rainbow roll and a California roll. Appetizers include tru ed brie toast, umami Brussels sprouts and pretzels, which are made inhouse and served with provolone fondue. Entrées range from an “all-American” burger to filet mignon. The varied menu also includes Bolognese, shrimp tacos, a vegetarian harvest bowl and sea scallops. A perfect ending could be the key lime tart brûlée or the molten butter cake.
HOU RS A FTE R
Refined looks for nights out
COCKT A ILS
Editor: Janet Kurtz
Art Director: Christie Passarello
Photographer: Eric England
Photography Assistant: Angelina Castillo
Stylist: Bentley Caldwell
Stylist Assistant: Ivy Calvert
Model: Carey Grabeman | AMAX Talent
Location: Virgin Hotels Nashville
Jacket: Blake leather jacket (Billy Reid)
Shirt: Vintage thermal henley (Buck Mason)
Jeans: Levi’s Made in Japan 511 dark-rinse slim-fit jeans (STAG Provisions) Boots: Paglia moto boots (Billy Reid) Watch: 42mm Standard Issue dive watch (Weiss Watch Company) Eyewear: Dark-rim glasses (Denslow Vintage Eyewear)
Jacket: David Thomas X Rothesay varsity jacket (Franklin Road Apparel Company)
Shirt: Field-Spec cotton heavy tee (Buck Mason)
Jeans: The 1991 straight-leg jeans in vintage canvas (Madewell) Boots: To Boot New York Whitman Suede Chelsea boots (Levy’s)
Bandana: Red Japanese cotton bandana (Willie Taylor & Co.)
Belt: Brown leather belt (Faherty Brand)
Watch: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph watch (TAG Heuer)
Hat: Taupe suede Western hat (Joseph Martin Hatmaker)
Eyewear: Brown aviator glasses (Denslow Vintage Eyewear)
HA VING A L A UGH
Cardigan: Far Afield Kuki striped cardigan (STAG Provisions)
Jeans: The 1991 straight-leg jeans in vintage canvas (Madewell)
Loafers: Alden suede leisure loafers (Levy’s)
Watch: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche watch (TAG Heuer)
PL AYING A ROUND
Jacket: The Lowry Black Melrose shirt jacket (SAVAS)
Sweater: California cashmere V-neck (Buck Mason)
Shirt: The Perfect Shirt in soft-drape twill (Madewell)
Jeans: Levi’s Made in Japan 511 dark-rinse slim-fit jeans (STAG Provisions)
Watch: Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback watch (King Jewelers)
BY THE FIRE
Jacket: L.B.M. 1911 Untreated Jack jacket in light green (Levy’s)
Shirt: The Perfect Shirt in soft-drape twill (Madewell)
Jeans: Levi’s Made in Japan 511 dark-rinse slim-fit jeans (STAG Provisions)
Boots: To Boot New York Monaco dark brown suede Chukka boots (Levy’s)
Bandana: Green Japanese cotton bandana (Willie Taylor & Co.)
Pocket square: Floral pocket square (Clifton + Leopold) Watch: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41mm (King Jewelers)
PLAYING POOL
Jacket: The Lowry Augden shirt jacket (SAVAS)
Gitman Bros. classic chambray tuxedo shirt (STAG Provisions)
MEN IN PHIL A NTH R OPY
Choosing a life of serving others
From business leaders to professional volunteers, men in Nashville have never shied away from supporting the local community of nonprofits with their time, talent and treasure. These contributions are shaping the city’s future, fostering collaboration across industries and driving positive change. Nfocus sat down with just a few of the men leading the charge for change in Music City.
PHOTOGRAPHS
BY
BY JANET KURTZ
ANGELINA CASTILLO, ERIC ENGLAND AND CHRIS WOOD
When Ketch Secor — front man for the awardwinning band Old Crow Medicine Show — moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music, he had no idea that path would lead him to found a new school in East Nashville. With parents who were itinerant educators, Ketch had a front-row seat to how schools operated. Once settled in Nashville, Ketch got to work giving back to the community — volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, the Martha O’Bryan Center, the East Nashville Hope Exchange and more before eventually starting the Episcopal School of Nashville.
Looking around his East Nashville neighborhood, Ketch saw a need to increase educational opportunities for children in the area. In 2012, he approached the bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee with the idea and soon found himself working to charter the Episcopal School of Nashville, which welcomed its first class of students in 2016. “Being a school founder wasn’t ever on my radar,” says Ketch. “I sat down and — with the help of so many — actually did it.”
From the moment the doors opened, Ketch worked diligently to grow the school and fill a unique gap in East Nashville. The driving passion for his work is helping neighborhood children thrive. “This next generation of Nashville youth are more than our city’s future leaders [and] problem solvers,” Ketch explains. “They are the principal architects and dreamers of a better, safer, more just, verdant, and peaceful, and altogether more successful Nashville.”
While Ketch has a laundry list of needs for the school — for instance, buses to transport kids to support flood relief efforts, and kitchen upgrades to help feed the community — Ketch remains optimistic. “One thing that makes a school startup so special is that, when your origins are as humble as a wing and a prayer, you get to dream big,” he says. “And I have some mighty big dreams for this little school.”
K ETCH SECO R
MUSICIAN,
OLD CROW MEDICINE
SHOW EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE
MIKE SHME R LING
FOUNDER AND BOARD CHAIR
ABE’S GARDEN COMMUNITY
Ask anyone who has cared for a parent or loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, and they’ll tell you that navigating support networks can be daunting. Entrepreneur and fourth-generation Nashvillian Mike Shmerling knows that all too well. When his father, Abe Shmerling, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, care options were limited. But Mike drew inspiration from his father — not only to help him, but also to follow his example and serve the neediest in society. No stranger to giving back to the community in myriad ways, he and his sister, Judy Given, founded Abe’s Garden Community, whose mission is to “establish a replicable model for senior life that is focused on brain health, wellness and purposeful living.”
For 16 years, Mike and his sister have been actively involved with Abe’s Garden Community. As board chair, Mike has led the organization’s strategy and governance and worked hard to develop best practices for fundraising and construction. In addition to providing residential memory support, Abe’s Garden Community offers independent and senior living options, as well as educational, advisory and support services for caregivers.
“Abe’s Garden is special, because it addresses a critical need for quality Alzheimer’s care, setting a new standard in the industry,” Mike says. “Our dedication to best practices and collaboration with institutions like Vanderbilt University makes it an invaluable asset to Nashville and beyond.”
The future is bright for Abe’s Garden Community. Mike sees opportunities to expand both its services and its influence, “sharing our model globally to improve care standards,” he says. The facility is currently in the middle of a $20 million capital campaign that will allow it to increase residential capacity and offer more services. So far, the organization has raised $17 million toward that goal.
“My favorite aspect is the sense of community we’ve fostered,” Mike says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact on residents and their families, knowing that we’ve created a supportive environment that prioritizes their well-being.”
For many hospitality workers, once they get a taste of the industry, hospitality is in their blood for life. This is especially true for Mark Waldo, founder and CEO of Waldo’s Chicken and Beer. When he and his partners launched the brand, it was crucial to them that giving back to the community was at the core of the restaurant’s mission and values.
Three years ago, Mark’s brotherin-law, Aaron, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Looking for resources and help led Mark and Aaron’s other caregivers to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The organization helped Aaron by providing support, education and financial grants while he was in treatment and recovery. That compassion inspired Mark — and helped him understand that many of his customers were also affected by the disease in some way.
About every three minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, according to the LLS. The organization estimates that 187,740 Americans will be diagnosed with one of those cancers this year.
After seeing the care and focus the LLS provided its patients, Mark felt that it was only natural to continue working with them. Waldo’s Chicken and Beer began by providing food for the popular LLS fundraising walk, Light the Night, where participants carry lanterns — red for supporters, white for cancer survivors and gold for those in memory — to indicate where they are on their cancer journey.
“Since our first event, we have established our own walk team — Waldo’s Walk for Aaron — and expanded our food sponsorship to other cities within the Southeast where there is an existing Light the Night event,” says Mark.
M AR K WA LDO
FOUNDER AND CEO, WALDO’S CHICKEN AND BEER LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
As a sixth-generation Nashville landowner and entrepreneur with a thriving real estate and construction business, Waddell Wright has a passion for housing those in need. Waddell has been in construction and development for 28 years and develops land, apartments and houses with a focus on providing stable housing for low- to moderateincome families. After becoming involved with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2012, Waddell had a frontrow view into how policy was set. He saw the red tape that prolonged the process for those in need to finally obtain housing.
When a friend called from The Contributor about someone in need of emergency placement, Waddell immediately stepped in to house the person. He realized how great it felt to help someone in need — and stuck with it. For six years, Waddell has worked with a range of organizations to provide clean, safe and stable housing to those in need.
“My favorite aspect is the collective impact that all these organizations make,” says Waddell. “There’s no onesize-fits-all when it comes to housing. The employees and people who run these organizations are passionate about helping people, and their dedication and conviction to supply people with one of the most basic of human needs resonates with me.”
Through his work, Waddell continues to see hope for the future of housing. Recently, he’s worked with the Cookeville Housing Authority to develop over 400 units of public and affordable housing.
“My hope [is for] a centralized location that houses all the necessary resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, from intake to outpatient care,” Waddell explains. “I’ve seen this model succeed with the Hospitality Hub in Memphis, where people can access everything from showers, medical care and IDs to temporary shelter, jobs and domestic violence support — all in one place.”
WA DDELL WR IGHT
SUSTAINABILITYFORWARD
Rivian electric vehicles arrive in Nashville
OF THE SCORES of disruptors in the last decade and a half, electric vehicles certainly rank high on the list. But what happens when there is a disruptor for the disruptor? Enter Rivian — the sustainability-forward, lifestyle-focused electric vehicle company that has recently arrived in Nashville.
Founded in 2009 in Irvine, Calif., Rivian has exploded onto the scene with the goal of offering a battery-powered vehicle that straddles the line between ruggedness and luxury. The first two models — an SUV and a pickup truck — debuted in 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and the brand has been a hit with outdoor enthusiasts and luxury car connoisseurs alike.
THE CULTURE OF RIVIAN
COMPANY CULTURE PLAYS a front-and-center role in Rivian’s philosophy. The goal is to shift the consumer mindset, engage the spirit of adventure, and focus on generations to come by helping to neutralize or reduce carbon emissions. Rivian employees look at this stance as not only a way of life, but also an opportunity to pay it forward.
Rivian also partners with other industries when making its vehicles more sustainable. Its battery packs can be easily removed and either recycled — reducing the need to mine expensive resources from the earth — or reused in what the company calls “second life” applications. Its interiors are made from 100% animal-free materials. And, even taking the oceans into consideration, the dunnage containers — industrial containers used to ship vehicles — at Rivian’s plants are reusable and made from ocean-bound plastics.
DESIGN- AND SUSTAINABILITYFORWARD
“OUR STORY IS about people coming together with one mission in mind: to protect our planet and the cultures that inhabit it for generations to come,” Rivian says. Fittingly, its cars go hand-in-hand with active lifestyles. The SUV boasts a sleek exterior and a cleverly designed front trunk, which offers storage space and transitions into a cooler for easy tailgating. Conveniently tucked away in the back of the SUV is a flashlight you can use when you take the vehicle on a camping excursion.
It stands to reason that a state as beautiful and park-abundant as Tennessee would be the first to partner with Rivian and put Rivian Waypoint EV charging stations in all but six of its 59 state parks.
THE NASHVILLE CONNECTION
RIVIAN CREATED ITS Nashville showroom to help educate the community about the brand and the future of electric vehicles. Rivian is billed less as a car and more as an electric adventure vehicle, and the showroom on Gleaves Street lets potential buyers explore the SUV and pickup truck up-close — even offering test drives for interested parties.
“EVs are at a real turning point in Tennessee right now,” says Tony Caravano, Rivian’s senior director of experiential marketing and community engagement.
“Since 2017, there’s been a 700% increase in EVs on the road in the state. Rivian has opened our doors in Nashville to help meet the moment and to support the local community who are looking to make the jump to electric.” Rivian also hosts lifestyle events in its showroom from time to time, offering live music, demo drives, community-building and more.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RIVIAN
UBY ED
Symphony Ball co-chairs discuss the event’s history and heritage ahead of its 40th anniversary
Look Bck
1985 BROUGHT CHANGE and innovation. To kick off the year, Microsoft released Windows 1.0. Back to the Future sold out at the box office, and Wham!’s Careless Whisper topped the Billboard charts.
This was also the year of the first Symphony Ball, created to support the Nashville Symphony. The evening — co-chaired by Judy Simmons and Jeannie Hastings and held at the Vanderbilt Plaza (now the Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza) — was a spectacular beginning to what has become a beloved winter tradition. This year, the Symphony Ball celebrates its 40th year with a charming Winter Wonderland theme, courtesy of its first male co-chairs, Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal.
bout the Co-chirs
JASON BRADSHAW AND BOB DEAL are no strangers to philanthropy. For years, the couple has graciously donated their time, talent and treasure to a variety of organizations — even hosting several events in their beautiful home.
The power couple can be found chairing events, working on committees, stuffing invitation envelopes or helping with day-of event setup, because they believe it is important and inspiring to give to the arts. They hold firmly to the belief that nonprofit arts organizations thrive when they have a diverse and passionate bevy of patrons and consistent funding to support not only performances, but also community initiatives that bring the arts to a wider audience.
Levin Their Mrk
WHAT CAN GUESTS expect from this year’s Symphony Ball? “It is a party in three acts: dinner and dancing, followed by the Harmony Award recipient presentation and performance, then the always energetic late party,” Jason says. The chairs are excited to bring back the tradition of the Craig Duncan Orchestra performing during the dinner hour to encourage dancing. “Our goal is to make it memorable and fun with lots of smiling faces, and to also help establish some great funding for the Nashville Symphony,” Bob adds.
Many guests hold decades of memories of the Symphony Ball, and for Jason and Bob, two performances stand out. In 2012, Harmony Award recipient Keith Urban took the stage and entranced the crowd. Their second favorite memory is when the Nashville Symphony played “Moon River” to a rapt audience at the 2016 ball.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND AND FROM NFOCUS ARCHIVES
Martha Ingram, Jeannie Hastings (1985)
Jason Bradshaw, Bob Deal (2019)
TO A ST OF HOLID AY P R ESENT
Director Matt Logan holds a modern lens to a timeless tale
“WHAT DOES IT take to be a changed man?”
That question drives Matt Logan’s creative work in a new production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which he directs and designs this holiday season at the Franklin Special Schools District (FSSD) Performing Arts Center.
The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Victorian character forced to review his selfish life with the help of ghostly chaperones, has been reprised by everyone from Bill Murray in Scrooged to Matthew McConaughey in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. But while the enduring story lends itself to humbug humor, it is, at its core, a study of how a man became himself.
“People forget that in A Christmas Carol,” says Matt, who collaborates on the stage production with playwright A.S. “Pete” Peterson of Rabbit Room Theatre and Tony and Laura Matula of MA2LA. “They think it’s a romp, but it’s a deep psychological analysis with three therapists to examine his past, present and future.”
Written in 1843, A Christmas Carol narrates, in Matt’s words, “a tale of a man who has put all his hopes into finance and money, [and] shut off any vulnerability in order to protect himself.”
Sounds like quite a modern story.
Storied Past
A PRIMARY CHALLENGE for Matt’s creative team is to tell a 19th century parable that honors the source, while reaching an audience whose attentions are eternally sapped by the 21st century technology in their pockets. Fortunately, Matt has proven himself a master of attracting visual attention. After graduating from Pepperdine University, the Middle Tennessee native designed sets and costumes in Hollywood and on Broadway before returning home, where he co-founded Studio Tenn in Franklin and, among other accomplishments, designed Reba McEntire’s performance outfits for the CMA Awards. In 2022, Matt and Rabbit Room Theatre brought to the stage The Hiding Place, a play based on the Holocaust memoir by survivor Corrie Ten Boom, who hid Jewish refugees behind a false wall in her home until she was arrested in 1944 and imprisoned in a concentration camp.
Matt, Pete and the Matulas, who will oversee the original score and digital projections, collaborated on Studio Tenn’s Frankenstein and The Battle of Franklin. This fall, Matt has been in Atlanta, designing Andy Warhol pop art-inspired costumes for an outdoor production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Art Farm at Serenbe.
“We’re taking into account that people have seen this tale a lot,” Matt says of Dickens’ novella, which has inspired more than 100 productions, including It’s a Wonderful Life. Matt first saw the play when he was a high school student at Christ Presbyterian Academy attending the Tennessee Rep’s production by Mac Pirkle, who ultimately became a friend and mentor.
Fresh Take
“WE ARE DEALING with something precious,” Matt says. “When you take on something like that, people are ready to riot, like if you try to move a side dish from Thanksgiving.” One goal is to win over the audience with respect for the original tale but a lens that makes it feel new.
Matt describes his strategy to craft costumes that convey the story through two visual languages. For example, a narrator’s modern wide-leg pants might create a Victorian silhouette. “I’m using things of our world today to create familiar shapes and images of the story,” he says.
When it comes to the Ghost of Christmas Present, don’t expect the familiar ghoul with green robes and a torch. Instead, Matt, who oversees everything from pattern design to elaborate beading and stoning of garments, envisions a woman of color in a magical red robe that evokes design elements of Alexander McQueen and Zac Posen.
Matt suggests his Past might be described as a Tolkienesque Middle-earth goddess-pixie, while his Future will evoke a John Galliano design, or, in the vernacular of Dickens, a “chalky Miss Havisham.”
The jilted bride of Dickens’ Great Expectations is just one Easter egg to hunt for in Matt’s production. Dickens superfans will recognize references from other titles that weave through Peterson’s script, such as Emily, the Micawber family and Uriah Heep from David Copperfield, and Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. Meanwhile, some characters from Scrooge’s world will be fleshed out a little more, all in service of painting a fuller, more human portrait of a man who has become synonymous with regret and redemption.
All the Same
BUT SOME THINGS will stay reassuringly the same, Matt promises. It wouldn’t be A Christmas Carol without the classic refrain: “God bless us, every one!” If Matt and Pete succeed, the 19th century words will speak to their 21st century audience about the ability of an individual to change. “When Scrooge can say that line at the end of the play, having been a man who did not care, that’s a whole new man,” Matt says. Matt Logan Productions and Rabbit Room Theatre will present A Christmas Carol Dec. 7 through 22 at the FSSD Performing Arts Center in Franklin. For general show or ticket inquiries, contact boxoffice@rabbitroom.com.
BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Co-chairs Steve and Kaye George
Jamey and Jennifer Parker
Bari Beasley
TO P ESE VE ND CONSE VE
e 51st annual Heritage Ball raises crucial funds for historic preservation
MORE THAN 800 people gathered at Franklin’s Eastern Flank Battlefield Park on Oct. 5 for the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s 51st annual Heritage Ball. The sold-out black-tie fundraiser was chaired by Steve and Kaye George, whom Heritage Foundation president and CEO Bari Beasley called “pillars of our community and true preservationists.”
The event featured a surprise performance by five-time Grammy winner Marty Stuart and additional musical performances by the Atlanta Allstars.
“Historic preservation is not about the past,” Bari told the crowd. “It’s about the future, and it’s about what we’re leaving for that next generation.” She also reiterated the organization’s stance on balancing preservation and development in a growing community — a debate that has at times been contentious.
“We’re not opposed to development,” Bari said. “Development is happening in a big way in Williamson County. But we are just proud as a preservation organization to come alongside development, because they can all coexist together.”
The past year has seen a slew of successes for the organization — like last November’s groundbreaking ceremony for Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens. The property now houses Williamson County’s last remaining Rosenwald school, the Lee-Buckner School, which the Heritage Foundation saved in March. In February, the group also opened the Moore-Morris History & Culture Center of Williamson County in downtown Franklin.
Bari also announced that the Heritage Foundation would partner with Franklinbased One Generation Away to collect donations for flood victims at its next two public festivals, PumpkinFest and Dickens of a Christmas.
“There’s no other organization that’s done more to preserve perhaps the very character of our community when you think about it,” said Jamey Parker, who, along with his wife Jennifer, received this year’s Patron Award. “And … we live in a time where that’s probably never been more important.”
Other speakers included board chair David Garrett, Heritage Ball committee member Joe Jennings, Kay Awalt Musgrove, Roy Brown and Stefanie Gorman. A “raise the paddle” auction-style event saw the organization raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in minutes.
Event planner Amos Gott created a “dinner club” atmosphere with art deco designs in black and gold. Guests savored braised beef short ribs with pea tendril salad, roasted Brussels sprouts and hickory-smoked bacon, and tricolored fingerling potatoes with caramelized shallots and fresh thyme. Guests also received gift bags that included a copy of “Good Lookin’ Cookin’” — some signed by co-authors Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George.
Lauren Bradford and Kaitlin White served as the late party co-chairs, a nightcap featuring desserts from Flavor Catering and entertainment by Grace Good Cirque.
“It is such a joy to be able to give back to this organization in such a way, and to really plant roots by serving as a representative of the next generation,” Lauren said. “We really believe in the power of that and the power of giving back at a young age.”
BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO, HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS AND PEYTON HOGE
Late Party co-chairs Kaitlin White, Lauren Bradford
Marty Stuart
Joe and Paige Jennings, Debbie and Bo Segers
Perry and Janis Schonfeld
Nick and Emily Birren
Colson Horton, Kelleigh Bannen, David Greider
Chuck and Jo Ellen McDowell
Brandon and Kate Hagan, Caitlin and John Bond
David and Vivian Garrett, Sarah Webb and Miller Garrett
Lisa and Roy Brown
Leigh Williams, Judy Wallace
Hank and Lisa Parrott
Barry and Jackie Alexander
Kris and Lauren Evans
Marilyn and Calvin LeHew
Kelly Mason and Mike Smith
Rhonda Gray, Carol Watson
Trent and Bethni Hemphill Atlanta Allstars
Keeley Locke, Lyndsay Smith, Lynlee Kennedy, Karen Jackson
Eric and Rachel George
Chris Jones and Kaitlin White
April and Eric Jackson
Dallas Wilson, Lauren Bradford
4
Joni Miller
Linda Smith
Megan Jones Campbell
Sherry Reynolds
Kristen Carbine
Marabeth Poole
Andrea Franden
Fresh Cot of Pint
The inaugural Paint the Town raises funds for the Preservation Society of Nashville
Fashionable historians, preservationists and friends gathered for the inaugural Paint the Town event supporting the newly formed Preservation Society of Nashville. The setting of the evening was, appropriately, the newly reimagined Neuhoff District. As guests meandered through what was once a meatpacking plant, they learned about the work that went into the space, which has revitalized the riverbank. Guests floated between the indoor and al fresco spaces as hors d’oeuvres passed through the rooms. Throughout the Neuhoff property, plein-air painters from The Chestnut Group awed guests with their talent. The paintings created during cocktail hour later became the focus of a spirited live auction.
After guests had taken a moment to explore their surroundings, founders Kelleigh Bannen and Colson Horton took the stage for remarks. Colson noted that the funds raised during the evening would support “the Preservation Society of Nashville’s ongoing efforts to protect and celebrate our city’s unique character.” The founders then shared two special announcements. The first was that David Greider had been named the Preservation Society of Nashville’s first executive director. An industry veteran, David brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the role. He held leadership positions at the Center for Nonprofit Management, Nashville Health Care Council and Digital Medicine Society before founding Orange Oak Nonprofit Management in 2023. There, he has helped organizations innovate and grow, especially during times of change.
The second, and equally exciting, announcement was the creation of the Sondra Morris Impact Award, which “will honor individuals who made extraordinary contributions to national preservation efforts.” The award’s namesake, Sondra Morris, is known as a staunch supporter of preservation. She has been an integral part of the revitalization of Franklin and Williamson County, and this award will continue her legacy for years to come.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
TJ Wilt, Tonya Wnek, Rachel Halvorson, Nick Dryden, Hoyt Halvorson
Tim Walker, Kelleigh Bannen, Patrick and Ellen McIntyre
Kelleigh Bannen, David Greider, Colson Horton
Chris Cotton, Lynn Maddox
Sondra Morris, Sue Bannen
Chris and Emerson Scales
Plein-air painter
Window to the Future
Tiffany Circle raises funds and looks to the future of philanthropy
Each September, American Red Cross supporters gather for the annual Tiffany Circle Fall Luncheon. Hosts of the event work diligently to select a dynamic speaker to energize the room of top female philanthropists. This year, hosts Denice Johnson and Barbara Turner welcomed Melanie Sabelhaus, co-founder of the Tiffany Circle, who brought not only the story of the Tiffany Circle’s founding but also a vision of who the philanthropists of the future might be.
Belle Meade Country Club was again the site for the fall luncheon. As ladies arrived, they visited with one another and enjoyed a glass of BMCC’s refreshing punch. Melanie was right in the middle of the elegantly attired crowd — delighting and enchanting guests before all sat down for lunch. The hosts of the day wasted no time beginning the program, as all were anxious to hear from Melanie.
“Melanie has a distinguished career, spending over 30 years in business, government and philanthropy,” said Keri McInnis, introducing the speaker by her many accomplishments. “Melanie is a devoted philanthropist, having supported many esteemed nonprofits, ranging from the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Maryland, to the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, to the Nantucket Dreamland theater.”
Melanie reminisced on the Tiffany Circle’s founding and shared some important facts illuminating the economic power women have today. “Ladies, you are absolutely unstoppable,” she said. “You’re the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. economy. The way you think and the way you act is the way our world does business.”
Melanie also discussed the next generation of philanthropists and their desire to take a hands-on approach with their nonprofit work . She pointed out that Gen X women volunteer more than any generation in America and that millennials and Gen Zers are very generous with their time. Her comments brought into sharp relief that the future is bright for philanthropy.
BY JANET KURTZ
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Melanie Sabelhaus, Barbara Bovender, co-hosts Barbara Turner, Denice Johnson
Louise Bryan, Betsy Wills, Claudia LeLay Anne Russell, Ted Clayton
Laurie Seabury, Joel Sullivan, Frances Spradley
Keri McInnis, Melanie Sabelhaus, Joanne Sowell
Marci Houff, Leora Allen, Tracy Wade
Katie Crumbo, Janice LaGasse
Collie Daily, Janet Bentz, Sheila Shields
Cheek to Cheek
The Cheekwood 1929 Club celebrates 10 years with a look back
On an August night in 1914, a ship named President Lincoln slipped through the ink-black water of the Atlantic Ocean, racing full steam ahead toward the New York harbor. Portholes were ordered closed and lights were extinguished. The passengers on board — including a young family from Nashville — held their collective breath as news passed through the crowd that Germany had declared war on Russia, just days after Austria-Hungary had declared war on Serbia to start World War I. The President Lincoln was a German ship, and the captain feared it would be targeted by the English or the French, who had also joined the war. Later, Leslie Cheek Sr. would recall the experience in the Nashville Banner. “It was the most dramatic moment of my life,” he said. “Within two minutes [of] the captain’s announcement that war was declared, every hand on the ship had been put out, every porthole closed, and in almost total darkness, full speed ahead was ordered, and the big ship plunged forward into the night.”
This and other Cheek family stories were among the highlights of the 10th annual 1929 Club dinner at Cheekwood, dedicated to Mabel Wood Cheek. Amos Gott created an elegant setting for the dinner under a tent on the Swan Lawn, with tables covered in embroidered, black organza linens surrounding a grand piano and a crystal chandelier floating above. Members of the 1929 Club enjoyed cocktails and glasses of Champagne, while hors d’oeuvres by Kristen Winston Catering passed on silver trays throughout the Loggia.
The evening was picture-perfect. Jane MacLeod, president and CEO of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, shared some successes Cheekwood has enjoyed, like refurnishing the mansion’s period rooms and stable, developing new interpretive displays, creating a book and audio tour to share the history of the Cheeks and Cheekwood, and so much more. Guests listened as Gigi Lazenby told the story of refurbishing the mansion library — and pulling books she inherited to donate to Cheekwood.
In the end, guests compared notes on poignant moments from the evening and lingered to savor the night — the mark of a truly great party.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Sandra and Larry Lipman, Lisa Manning
Beth Murdock, Katherine DeLay, Nancy Peterson Hearn
Rick and Vicki Horne, Katie and Kevin Crumbo
Karen Morgan, Neil Krugman and Lee Pratt
Darryl and Carol Yochem
Jane MacLeod, Carol and Howard Kirschner
Gerry Nadeau and Ellen Martin
THE SNOWMAN © Warner/Chappell.
FGrden of Serenity
Abe’s Garden Community raises crucial funds for expansion
riends, family and supporters of Abe’s Garden Community gathered to celebrate a milestone toward the organization’s $20 million “Let’s Grow” campaign. The initiative — already at 82% of its financial target — will fund a property expansion that aims to deliver high-quality services to more people in need of memory care.
Guests visited with each other and enjoyed cocktails and snacks in the community center lobby. Many also admired the resident mourning doves in one of three on-campus aviaries. Local and political dignitaries filled the room as guests took their seats to learn more about the exciting progress of the campaign.
Mayors Freddie O’Connell and Bill Purcell kicked off the remarks by extolling the virtues of the great work the Abe’s Garden Community team does each day. Sandra Simmons, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging, discussed the vision for Abe’s Garden Community, as well as the need for more research and funding. “We’re much better at early diagnostics and early detection,” she said. “We’ve discovered biomarkers and risk factors and even some promising treatments for early stage [Alzheimer’s disease], but we still have so much more to learn and discover.” She added that partnerships between organizations like Abe’s Garden Community and researchers like Sandra and her colleagues help push this research forward.
Sandra then introduced Abe’s Garden Community founder and board chair Mike Shmerling , who, with his sister Judy, created a place that provides independent living, assisted living and memory support to those in its care. “The expansion stands as a profound testament to our enduring commitment to provide unparalleled care and support for our residents,” said Mike. “We are deeply excited about the opportunities these advancements will make both within and outside of our walls.”
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Phil Ponder, Ginny McKee
Adam Rhoades, Carter Parkey, Ben Metz
Mandy Hansen, Bob Freeman, Bo Mitchell
Judy Given, Sandra Simmons, Katie Crumbo
Walker Mathews Jr., Ryan Moses
Lisa Shmerling, Susannah Dwyer
Mike Shmerling
Somebody’s Duhter
The Next Door dresses up for its 20th anniversary
Lovely ladies in demure black gowns welcomed friends of The Next Door to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center — a new venue befitting the milestone celebration. To commemorate the organization’s 20th year, board chair Rebecca Whitehead oversaw the first Next Door gala, an evening with cocktails, dinner and plenty of music.
The Benefactors Reception began in the Founders Hall with delicious passed hors d’oeuvres and a string quartet to serenade guests. A full house made for close elbows, but the familiarity seemed natural for this warm group of supporters.
Dinner was divine — clearly Kristen Winston Catering. There were three salads to choose from in the perfect buffet, which included shrimp and grits, roasted veggies, corn soufflé and tenderloin. Kristen’s hallmark, a trio of three preset desserts, had a bit of lemon, a bit of caramel and a bit of chocolate.
If that wasn’t already heavenly — and it was — celestial music ensued, clear young voices raised in celebration of young women’s lives redeemed through two decades of work by The Next Door, a treatment program for women struggling with addiction. A selection from Voxology, Belmont University’s gospel choir (think Nashville Tabernacle Choir), opened a musical presentation that gave way to Canadian singer-songwriter Tenille Townes singing her hit “Somebody’s Daughter.” Emcee Matt Rogers from Dallas guided the agenda through musical performances interspersed with information, inspiration and a little salvation through donations.
“Answered prayer is our theme for tonight,” said the Rev. Susan Jones, adding that more than 17,000 women’s lives have been saved by The Next Door over the past 20 years. Wallets may have been a little lighter on the way back to the valet, but so were hearts.
BY BETH ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO
Drew and Mary Catherine Healy, Paige and Kevin Roddey
Rebecca Whitehead, Katie Keckley
Natalie and George Clements, Jena and John Simmons
Tom and Cordia Harrington, Sheila Shields, Garry McNabb
Stacy and Randy Butler, Ann Claire West
Walter and Joyce Searcy
Laura and Pat McFadden, Rebecca Whitehead
Medallion Ceremony
Produced and Presented by THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM
We congratulate John Anderson, James Burton, and Toby Keith, and express our deepest gratitude to the many people who gave their time and talent to produce this very special 2024 Medallion Ceremony.
Jen
Tania
Jeff King, Electric
Rachel Loy, Bass
Jerry Pentecost, Drums
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEDALLION ALL-STAR BAND
Deanie Richardson, Fiddle and Mandolin
Mica Roberts, Vocals
Charlie Worsham, Rhythm Guitar, Banjo, and Vocals
Photos by: Jason Kempin and Terry Wyatt / Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Mary Caroline Russell, Donn Jones, and Amiee Stubbs
Biff Watson,Bandleader and Acoustic Guitar
Gunderman, Keyboards
Hancheroff, Vocals
Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar
Guitar
Keith Richards, James Burton, and Steve Jordan
Vince Gill Rodney Crowell
Emmylou Harris
Keith Richards and Vince Gill
Tanya Tucker
Eric Church
Medallion All-Star Band
Blake Shelton
Post Malone
Shawn Camp
Bobby Braddock
Elvis Costello and John Jorgenson
Lucinda Williams and Travis Stephens Del McCoury Band
Randy Owen
Brad Paisley
Tricia Covel for Toby Keith
John Anderson James Burton
Mdme Butterfly
Chic Awearness offers hope and resilience with a side of fashion
Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the W Hotel, casting a glow over the teal-clad crowd at the annual Chic Awearness fundraiser and fashion show. Founded by ovarian cancer survivor Marci Houff, the organization is dedicated to raising funds to eradicate ovarian cancer, and is the only Nashville-based organization focused on this specific disease. Since its inception in 2013, Chic Awearness has raised nearly $1 million to support research efforts in Middle Tennessee.
It is said that a butterfly goes where it pleases and pleases where it goes. As guests entered the room, friends greeted friends and enjoyed the evening’s signature cocktail — the Butterfly Kiss. Bartenders combined Champagne with a touch of blue curaçao to create an elegant teal drink. They garnished the glasses with lasercut paper butterflies — adding fun and whimsy to the aperitifs.
Once everyone had their fill, revelers headed into the ballroom, taking in the abundant silent auction items along the way. Rhori Johnston welcomed the crowd, and Marci introduced Dr. Ronald Alvarez, who presented the annual Courage Award to Dr. Alaina Brown.
Marci then took a moment to share the story of her friend, Rhonda. Marci met Rhonda, who’d also been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, through a mentorship program that pairs survivors with those experiencing the disease. Through text messages, phone calls and an in-person visit, the two developed a tight bond. With a shaking voice, Marci shared that Rhonda lost her battle with cancer just days before the event — emphasizing the crucial need to keep fighting ovarian cancer.
After a lively auction with singer-songwriter George Thorogood and others, the annual fashion show got underway. As models strutted down the runway, announcers read their names — and shared how each model had been impacted by ovarian cancer.
BY JANET KURTZ
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Will Barnett and Heather Eisenmann, Shari Martin, Bill Wade Bob Deal, Tracy Wade, Jason Bradshaw
Stephen and Marci Houff, Marissa Houff
Milton White, George Thorogood, Dawn Mangrum
David Kazmerowski and Barbara Browning
The Butterfly Kiss
Pamela Bollinger, Amy Marsalis
The 35th Annual Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
Featuring keynote speaker Brooke Shields and her designer, David Flint Wood Tickets at AntiquesandGardenShow.com January 31 – February 2, 2025
Tke Me to the River
The Harpeth Conservancy celebrates 25 years
Supporters danced long into the night at River Swing 2024. Held on Christian Currey’s River Circle Farm, the 21st annual bash saw a record number of attendees gather to celebrate the Harpeth Conservancy’s 25th anniversary.
During cocktail hour, attendees shopped at booths set up by ABLE, Barn Girl Jewelry and Huck Hats, and energetically bid on more than 150 auction items, like vacation stays and works of art, which were peppered throughout several tents. Guests also imbibed the event’s signature cocktail, “The Mabon” — a blend of pawpaw, ginger, lemon and elderflower named after the fall equinox — while enjoying the music of country-rock artist JB Strauss.
When dinnertime came, everyone indulged in a buffet, courtesy of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. Not one morsel was forgotten, as River Swing prided itself in being a zero-waste event this year.
During the program that followed, Harpeth Conservancy president Dorie Bolze spoke about the organization’s mission to restore and protect clean water and healthy ecosystems for rivers in Tennessee. Dorie thanked supporters both present and not, including donors Jimmy John and Leslie Liautaud, who were unable to attend. Also absent from the evening was the conservancy’s CEO Grace Stranch, who recently welcomed a baby.
The party really got going from there, as guests left their chairs in favor of the dance floor. The Revivalists put on an unforgettable 90-minute set, full of hits like “Good Old Days” and “Kid,” and the crowd passionately sang and danced along. DJ Marissa Sardar kept the excitement going during the latenight party, before attendees left the venue with thoughts of next year’s event on their minds.
Over the years, River Swing has been crucial in supporting Harpeth Conservancy’s mission by raising over $2.5 million for the organization.
BY PAIGE GAWLEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS
J.R. Simon, Adriana Moniodes, Allie Feiner
Anya McIntosh, Meg Musselwhite Hefley, Layton Meng
Charles Evans, Kaitlyn Hammerly, Madeline DuPlessis, Christian Currey, Alba Cook, Cait Hurwitz, Frances Briggs
Gail Greil, Casey and Deborah Reed
Barry Stowe, Emily Humphreys
Jay Wilkes, Kristin Dixon, Kurt Bartlett, Heather Bartlett, Courtney Laginess
Sharon and Will Cheek, Trey Lipman, Steve Sirls
Hank and Lindsay Bentley
Julie and Adam Sneed
Lisa Siegmann and Michael Liparoto
Carter and Amy Lawrence, Randy and Kate Lovelace, Steve Kuhn
Grant Bockman, Dania Winfree, LaTisha Holt, Shane Hixson Cassie Frustaci, Lindsey Bachman
William Slatten, Shannon Howell
Andrea Schrager, Laura Kinsman
Sarah Michaud, Lana Pargh, Alyssa Rosenheck, Roseann Rogers
Claire Flippin, Houston Flippin, Cindy and Mike Corn
Josie Horchak, Wes Finlayson, Josie Wienges
Whiskey River
Brown water enthusiasts celebrate the fourth annual Beyond Bourbon
To know Tim and Arnita Ozgener is to be a friend to Tim and Arnita Ozgener. This power couple’s thousand-watt smiles and genuine warmth and hospitality were on full display at the annual Beyond Bourbon. Each year, the event’s organizers work to make the experiences bigger and better than they’ve been before, and this year was no different.
The key to fully enjoying Beyond Bourbon, which raises crucial funds for OZ Arts Nashville, is to secure a space at one of the tastings offered during the VIP Pre-Party. This year’s co-chairs — Lisa Maki and David Osborn, Cookie and Kirk Richardson, and Laquita and Finis Stribling — outdid themselves by organizing outstanding experiences for pre-party guests to enjoy. Depending on their patron level, guests could choose from specialty tastings like Women Winemakers and Weller, Cardinale and More, Extravagant Cocktails, and Willett Estate. As pre-party guests enjoyed these intimate tastings, spirits brands were busy in the main event space putting the finishing touches on their displays before the doors opened to the crowd.
Beyond Bourbon was just as impressive as its pre-party experiences, featuring over 30 high-end displays with samples of bourbon, whiskey, tequila and more on offer. Local barbecue legend Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint provided a delicious buffet dinner, which paired beautifully with the spirits in the room. If guests wanted a break from sampling, they could find distraction by perusing the expansive silent auction. Items included a beautiful guitar painting by Rob Hendon, season ticket packages to OZ Arts Nashville, a Les Paul custom guitar and more.
If that wasn’t enough to make the evening a rich experience for all, guests could cap off the night by indulging in cigars from Ozgener Family Cigars, Crowned Heads and Canvast in OZ Arts Nashville’s beautiful garden.
BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Levi Eskola, Chad Fortney
Ryan McLaughlin Wood and Barrett Wood
Mark Lombardi, co-chairs Kirk and Cookie Robinson, Jeff Hopmayer, Tara Mullaney
Co-chairs David Osborn and Lisa Maki, Steve Taylor
Andy Yaffee
Tim and Arnita Ozgener
Grace and Carl Awh Matt Morrissey
Fred Crumbo, Jodi Felts, Katie and Kevin Crumbo
Steve and Wendy Burch
Steve Nicodemo, Hank Ingram
Kelly Dougherty Suzi Bussacco Genaide Kilduff
Drk Skies
Dinner by the Bridge celebrates 30 years of Greenways for Nashville
Who doesn’t love al fresco dining at an ultra-long farm table with twinkling lights overhead? Seemingly, no one — and what differentiates these communal dinners from one another is the location. For the past 17 years, Greenways for Nashville has adopted this popular format for its annual Dinner by the Bridge, a fall fundraiser held on the Cumberland River Greenway Esplanade at the foot of the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge with a spectacular view of the city skyline. This gorgeous locale gives guests an opportunity to celebrate the success of Nashville’s greenway system, gather with supporters and friends, and raise a toast to a future that includes developing more greenways across Davidson County.
But this year, there was a last-minute change. The city’s Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service advised party planners to move the dinner indoors due to the threat of Hurricane Helene. Hosts moved the dinner to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, and made a few changes, like dividing the former long table into three broad semi-circles — which surprisingly created a new level of warmth and intimacy in a room with an impressive 450 in attendance.
The planners created a cottage-chic theme — a nod to nature and its unexpected mischief — with wooden tables, mismatched dinnerware and park-inspired centerpieces. The colorful scenes featured things you would find on a greenway encounter — deer, butterflies, coneflowers and the like. Sponsor Bates Nursery & Garden Center donated beautiful live plants, which patrons took home at the end of the evening. Four Nashville Ballet dancers dressed in greenery and beautifully carried the theme to another artistic level.
The program was short but powerful. Board chair Jacob Kassinger acknowledged the 30th anniversary of Greenways for Nashville by reading the mayoral proclamation that named September 26, 2024, Greenways for Nashville Day. “Over the past three decades, greenways have transformed our city in profound ways,” Jacob said. “We now have over 103 miles of greenways that touch every corner of our city. Every tree, every trail, every mile represents the collective effort of this community to invest in a healthier, greener future for generations to come.”
BY GLORIA HOUGHLAND
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Whit and Lauren Martin, Maddin Nelson
Jeanie Nelson and Will Martin
Michael Briggs, Jeanie Nelson
Angie and Richie Jones
Jenny Hannon, Ann Roberts Ann Tidwell, Allen DeCuyper
Amy Crownover, Karen and Ben May
Mary Stone, Mary Agee, Melinda Welton Morgan Charles, Ava Zisko
Lee Pratt and Neil Krugman
Marc and Becky McNamee, Phil Ponder
Mike Jameson, Alix Cross, Tamara Hart, Tom Cross
Tracy and Larry Pomeroy, Josephine Darwin
History in the Mkin
A Tennessee Waltz raises funds for the Tennessee State Museum and museums affected by flooding
s happens each year, a line of black cars and SUVs snaked their way up the drive to the Tennessee State Capitol building. Alighting from the cars, elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen ascended the stairs for the annual A Tennessee Waltz. Inside, co-chairs Dawn and Tre Hargett — wisely stationed by the table cards — greeted each guest as they came through. The annual event raises funds for the Tennessee State Museum, which works to close educational gaps and helps students and adults alike learn more about the history of Tennessee.
As guests entered the cocktail reception, servers stood at attention with glasses of Champagne and white wine resting on silver trays. The cocktail hour is always lively, as friends and colleagues mix and bidders keep a sharp eye on the silent auction. Guests also enjoyed snacks from an abundant spread of cheese, charcuterie, fruit and other delectables, fending off hunger before eventually heading back downstairs for dinner.
Once everyone found their seats, Tennessee State Museum executive director Ashley Howell took the podium and introduced singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood, the evening’s special guest, who later sang his No. 1 hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” Ashley announced that the devastation in East Tennessee was far worse than anticipated and that a portion of the evening’s proceeds would help museums in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
Gov. Bill Lee then took the microphone to deliver a heartfelt and important message. Having been on the ground in East Tennessee all day, he and the first lady wore their “work clothes” instead of a traditional tuxedo and ball gown. “The Tennessee State Museum is the chronicler of the state — it chronicles our history,” the governor said. “What is happening in East Tennessee right now is historic.” He went on to describe the devastation he and his wife, Maria, had witnessed that day — and emphasized the importance of helping out our neighbors in East Tennessee.
BY JANET KURTZ
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS
Bill and Maria Lee, Stephanie and Kemp Maxwell, Freddie O’Connell
Co-chairs Dawn and Tre Hargett Tom Smith, Ashley and Joe Howell
Liz Sillay, Maxine Gernert
Jerry Atnip, Dianne Neal
Carley Easley, Scott and Aleah Guthrie
Andrew Kovalcin, Vanessa Falk, Bob and Susan Falk, Bonnie Brezina
Ming Wang
Mary Morgan and Paul Ketchel
Edwin Barton and Sheila Dial-Barton
Kelly Lang, Jada Boyd
Eddie Gore, Leigh Hendry, Brent Hyams
Freddie O’Connell, LaDonna Boyd, Waddell Wright
Justin Waterston, Marty Luffman, Birdie Waterston
Austin and Mary Dobbs, Hope Lyons, Harris King, Carley Easley
Thomas Barrett, Belinda Barry, Morel Enoch, Ann and Joe Gilbert
R&B mega-star and six-time Grammy® Award-winner Dionne Warwickmakes her Schermerhorn Symphony Center debut!
HITS INCLUDE:
“Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk on By,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” “Heartbreaker,” “Déjà Vu,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?,” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”
Fll Is in the ir
Families gather for the annual Fall for Cheekwood
Though there were summer-like temperatures in the air, families got into the autumn spirit at the 11th annual Fall for Cheekwood. The always-anticipated fall festival serves as a starting point to forthcoming holiday happenings, with activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Kelsey Finger and Lauren Trent served as chairs for the 2024 event, which was soundtracked by a live bluegrass band. For kids, sack races, a hay-covered slide and a cotton candy station proved popular. They also enjoyed face painting, an arts-andcrafts station and the ability to run throughout the picture-perfect grounds. Adults, meanwhile, imbibed seasonal cocktails as they took in the stunning fall florals and decor. This year, Cheekwood planted more than 4,000 chrysanthemums across the property — and crafted a 9-foot-tall, pumpkin-shaped topiary from orange mums.
The whole family came together to participate in hayrides, watch Lundy Cupp masterfully carve pumpkins, marvel at lifesize pumpkin houses, and pose for photos with a professional photographer. They also strolled through Turner Seasons Garden to see a selection of showstopping scarecrows created by community members. This year’s Scarecrow Trail theme was “personify a color,” which challenged artists to craft scarecrows in every shade of the rainbow. When it was time to eat, attendees young and old sat down to a delicious meal courtesy of Edley’s Bar-B-Que. Fall for Cheekwood isn’t held just for a good time. This year’s event raised money for Destination Cheekwood, which offers free field trips to school groups from Tennessee, Southern Kentucky and Northern Alabama. Created for students of all ages, the field trip’s curriculum — which is up to state standards and led by trained educators — covers topics such as art, history and botany. Thanks to generous funding, Cheekwood welcomed more than 150 schools and nearly 12,000 students to its estate and gardens in 2023.
BY PAIGE GAWLEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS
Rockwell with Hilary and Alex Chiang
Lynn Brown with Eves
Helen and Rod Roudi with Liza
Jeff and Anne Clarke Snyder with Mac and Anne Blair
Donnie and Kayla Counts with Tristan and Sebastian
Gray and Bentley Palmer with Court, Katie and Alex Hardy with Harper
Chuck and Carolyne Steiner, Carol Steiner with Chip
Presented by Sponsored by Cheekwood is funded in part by
Mansion Decor by Former White House Florist Laura Dowling
Laura Dowling.
Cause for Paws raises funds to help homeless animals find their fur-ever homes
Entering the Belle Meade Country Club for the 36th annual Nashville Humane Association Cause for Paws, guests were greeted by the tiniest — and furriest — puppy ambassador. The little darling understood the assignment and came dressed in a stylish tutu — a nod to the fashion show taking place later that day. Inside, guests enjoyed glasses of Champagne or club punch, a delicious fruit tea that’s a must at any ladies luncheon.
Co-chairs Jenny Cruise and Maryglenn Warnock and their committee outdid themselves in securing exclusive silent auction items, including jewelry, golf excursions and even a suite at Churchill Downs. And the glasses of Champagne weren’t the only thing sparkling. Diamond Cellar tempted shoppers with an elaborate display of beautifully designed jewelry. Gus Mayer also offered a wonderful selection of designer pieces — and more than one shopping bag was spotted heading out the door at the end of the day.
As guests enjoyed a beautiful lunch of strawberry salad on the perfect fall afternoon, Maryglenn shared how important the funds raised at Cause for Paws are to the Nashville Humane Association. “Your support helps almost 4,000 furry friends find their forever homes each year,” she said. The funds also help provide health care to animals at the shelter.
Each year, the organization presents the Julia Colton Award for Excellence in Animal Welfare to someone who has significantly contributed to the welfare of animals in Middle Tennessee. This year, the esteemed award went to Sherrie Harris, a longtime Nashville Humane Association volunteer who has rescued her fair share of animals over the years.
The event closed with a fashion show presented by Gus Mayer featuring designer L’AGENCE. Models moved through the crowd donning vibrant colors, iridescent fabrics and sumptuous velvets. Be on the lookout for these trending styles the next time you attend an event.
BY JANET KURTZ
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
Waldi Schmid, Jan Bachus, Stephanie Lehman
Roseann Rogers, Kelly Ford
Co-chair Jenny Cruise, Jourdan Parenteau, Dott Freeman
Lisa Cheek, co-chair Maryglenn Warnock, Leslie Olivier, Mary Pierce
Stacey Rhodes, Joy Smith
Benefiting Presented by
AND
Greenways for Nashville wishes to thank our generous sponsors, patrons, guests, committee members, Metro department partners, and volunteers for their support of this year’s Dinner by the Bridge fundraiser.
Greenways for Nashville wishes to thank our generous sponsors, patrons, guests, committee members, Metro department partners, and volunteers for their support of this year’s Dinner by the Bridge fundraiser.
Since 1994, Greenways for Nashville has advocated for the development of more than 100 miles of trails, giving 90 percent of neighborhoods access to greenspace within two miles of their home.
30 YEARS AND OVER 100 MILES OF GREENWAY: CELEBRATING A GREENER NASHVILLE FOR ALL greenwaysfornashville.org
Greenways for Nashville wishes to thank our generous sponsors, patrons, guests, committee members, Metro department partners, and volunteers for their support of this year’s Dinner by the Bridge fundraiser.
Since Greenways for Nashville has advocated for the development of more than 100 miles of trails, giving 90 percent of neighborhoods access to greenspace within two miles of their home.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to advance barrierfree access to nature, recreation, community, and green transportation for all Nashvillians.
30 YEARS AND OVER 100 MILES OF GREENWAY: CELEBRATING A GREENER NASHVILLE FOR ALL greenwaysfornashville.org
Since 1994, Greenways for Nashville has advocated for the development of more than 100 miles of trails, giving 90 percent of neighborhoods access to greenspace within two miles of their home.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to advance barrierfree access to nature, recreation, community, and green transportation for all Nashvillians.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to advance barrierfree access to nature, recreation, community, and green transportation for all Nashvillians.
greenwaysfornashville.org
Elliston Plce Sod Shop
A NASHVILLE INSTITUTION for 85 years, Elliston Place Soda Shop has a history as storied as its milkshakes. After spending his childhood biking from his family farm into Nashville to work at pharmacies, Lynn Chandler decided to purchase Elliston Pharmacy in 1939. The then 23-year-old — who later described himself as the “king of the meat-and-three” — had a plan to turn his love for the soda fountain into an unforgettable experience for visitors. It’s safe to say he did just that — even stars like Jimmy Buffett and George Jones have taken a seat at the counter.
In 2019, after years of doling out comfort food, flavored sodas and treats courtesy of Linda “the Pie Lady” Melton, the nostalgic diner faced an uncertain future. But Tony and Lisa Giarratana stepped in to purchase the restaurant, moving its location to the Cumberland Telephone Exchange building next door in 2020. By doing so, the Giarratanas ensured that generations to come will make their own memories at the beloved midtown eatery.
BY PAIGE GAWLEY PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NASHVILLE BANNER ARCHIVES, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
