RSVP Magazine October 2011 by RSVP Magazine

October 2011

Zoo Brew Blues Ball Brooks Avant Garde Party Phoenix Club Party at the Palace Q&A with Diana Kelly

CONTENTS

Contents October 201 1

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Singer and musician Susan Marshall entertains RSVP at Itta Bena.

RSVP Watch List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Pull together your fall wardrobe with any of these fashionable belts.

14 Blues Ball Melanie and Rick Rivera

Blues Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 “An Elegant Evening Under the Bridge” was had by all who attended Pat Kerr Tigrett’s annual benefit for the Memphis Charitable Foundation.

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 26 & 28

36 Brooks Avant Garde Party Bob Laurie and Pam Moss

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She embraces those who serve MIFA. He’s spreading the word about a sport with an unusual name. This artist is showing off her talent and her leadership skills within the local art community. StreetSeens highlight Charlie Nelson, Mike Morgan and Phyllis Boger.

Q&A with the president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis chapter, Diana Kelly.

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Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Brooks Avant Garde Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

The Brooks Museum of Art hosted a Parisian-themed affair for its Avant Garde patrons

Phoenix Club Party at the Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

StreetSeen Mike Morgan

42 Phoenix Club Party at the Palace Megan McCullough and Kate Bengal

Phoenix Club members and guests took over the Pink Palace during a party that raised funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

Zoo Brew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Beer nerds united at the Memphis Zoo for a fund-raiser that kicked off Memorial Day weekend festivities.

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52, 53, 54 & 56 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

10,000 Conversations About the Same Thing Humor columnist Dennis Phillippi makes a good case about the boredom behind choosing where to dine.

StreetSeen Phyllis Boger

48 Zoo Brew Jessica and Kevin Sanders

Cover Photo George and Nayla Nassar at Blues Ball Photo by Don Perry

Volume XVII

Number I

October 201 1 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kelly Cox Jonathan Devin Dennis Phillippi Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young EDITORIAL INTERN

Andrea Stockard ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Nathan Berry Baxter Buck Roy Haithcock Don Perry Steve Roberts SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Libby Huff Chris Pugh

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ruth Cassin

ACCOUNTING

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From the Editor

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Photo by Steve Roberts

ou know that feeling when you just want to head out of town? Nothing in particular spurred me to have this urge, but I knew that the time had come for me to plan a little weekend getaway to rejuvenate the soul. My only requirements were that the location had to be less than three hours from Memphis since it would be a short trip and also be somewhere that I’d never visited. After racking my brain and scanning TripAdvisor.com for what felt like days on end, I remembered my husband saying he’d always wanted to go to Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. Somewhere new? Check. Somewhere beautiful? Check. Somewhere peaceful? Check. After booking a hotel in nearby Little Rock and gathering hiking gear, we headed for our mountain adventure. Driving up the winding road to the park, I knew I was going to like this place because it would provide an out-of-the-ordinary experience and one that would hopefully make for good pictures. The park offered both of those things and had pristine grounds, as well as one of the most picturesque overlooks (at Petit Jean’s Gravesite) I’ve ever seen, to boot. One of the things I wasn’t prepared for was embarking on the most strenuous hiking trail imaginable when my husband and I chose to do Seven Hollows Trail. Only four-and-a-half miles long, I thought, “That’s nothing!” Little did I realize that that distance would take three hours to complete as we had to climb up, down and across numerous giant rocks and ascend some fairly steep paths. For a regular hiker, the trail would have probably been a breeze, but not for someone who does most of her exercise in a gym setting. Never has seeing a car parking been such a relief as it was upon completion of that hike, and apparently, I’m a glutton for punishment because my physical activity for the day didn’t stop there. Before comprehending how worn out I was, we headed straight to the boathouse at Lake Bailey and rented a kayak. Another new activity for me, kayaking seemed great at first, but not so much after 20 minutes, when I decided to call it quits. All in all, I am proud of engaging in those two challenging activities, but truth be told, heading home felt equally nice. Upon my return, I had much to look forward to as party season has gotten underway here at RSVP. Some of these affairs (Blues Ball, Zoo Brew, the Brooks Avant Garde Party and the Phoenix Club Party at the Palace) are already featured in this issue, however there’s much more to come with the MIFA “Feed the Soul” Party, Zoomelièr, Chefs’ Celebrity Gala, Merry Marketplace Gala, Art on Fire and the Architects’ Halloween Party each taking place in October. Enjoy the good times that are sure to be had at any of these charity events in Memphis…ah, home sweet home!

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Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com

Recording Artist/Singer/Songwriter/Vocal Coach/Owner of Memphism Publishing/President of the Recording Academy® Memphis Chapter

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SIGNATURE MEMPHIS

Susan Marshall

Personal Hero: My mother. Favorite Memphis musician: ALL of them. Favorite album: “Blue” by Joni Mitchell...brilliant! Things you can’t live without: My husband and my piano. Ideal vacation spots: Sedona, NOLA, Pickwick and Sonoma. Movie you could watch over and over again: The Color Purple Purple.. Guilty pleasures: “Law & Order” and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Favorite author: CliffsNotes. His writing style gets to the point of the story without having to use all those pesky extra words! First concert: When I was 12, my sister took me to the "Frampton Comes Alive!” tour in Albuquerque. Where you take out-of-town guests: Stax, Sun, Civil Rights Museum, The Peabody, Beale and, of course, Itta Bena, where I “serenade” from time to time. Stress outlet: Daily choir practice with my three dogs...we like the HOWLELUJAH Chorus. One thing most people don’t know about you: With Withthe thehelp helpofof my mentor, Sara Savell, I auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera when I was only 19. I ended up in New York City working Off Broadway as a leading soprano with The Light Opera of Manhattan. Your greatest achievement: Recording and performing with amazing world-class artists and touring internationally playing in famous clubs and arenas have been dreams come true, but I’m most proud of my husband, family and friends.

Photo by Steve Roberts

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EVENT

Blues Ball

BLUES BALL

“An Elegant Evening Under the Bridge”

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Jim and Deborah Summers

Sloan Tate and Kory Drahos

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lowing, beaming and luminous could all describe any Hollywood starlet’s beauty, but the night of the Blues Ball, these adjectives applied to a different kind of star—the Hernando DeSoto Bridge. Twenty-five years has passed since the bridge received a facelift with 200 lights added to its arches, so the time had come for an anniversary celebration. Fittingly, Pat Kerr Tigrett, who helped raise donations for the bridge lights, hosted “An Elegant Evening Under the Bridge” in conjunction with her annual Blues Ball this September. Around 2,000 Memphians, and even some out-of-towners, ventured to River Island (Mud Island) for the special affair and a spectacular view of the bridge and the Memphis skyline. Asked to dress in black tie with an attitude, city chic couture or river rat rags, partygoers exercised their freedom in fashion choices to the fullest, arriving in outfits ranging from satin ball gowns to ripped jeans and t-shirts. Sam Samudio, aka “Sam the Sham,” opted for an edgy ensemble by sporting a bright red tuxedo jacket, a shiny black dress shirt and a black skullcap with red roses—a look that suited the performer well when he took to the stage to sing a fan favorite, “Wolly Bully.” And Samudio’s performance was only one of many during a party that featured some of the area’s finest singers and musicians, including Andy Childs, Susan “Honey Mouth” Marshall, Wendy Moten, Di Anne Price, Preston Shannon, Jason D. Williams and Ruby Wilson. DJ Raiford topped off the lineup and didn’t disappoint when he played dance heavy tunes often heard at Paula and Raiford’s Disco. Perhaps the biggest moment of the evening came when a grandiose fireworks display joined the Hernando DeSoto Bridge in lighting up Ol’ Man River. As the night sky changed from red to white to blue, Sandi Patty could be heard singing the national anthem, with a second rendition of the song sung by The Sanctuary Choir of the New Olivet Baptist Church. During the fireworks, a regatta of Memphis Yacht Club members’ boats also took place, much the same as it did 25 years ago when the bridge was first lit. In addition to celebrating the bridge, Blues Ball served as a fund-raiser for Tigrett’s Memphis Charitable Foundation, which supports causes from the Madonna Learning Center and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum to NARAS/MusiCares and the Memphis Fire Department. Tigrett made a new request this year though for $1,000 donations to plant 200 Yoshino cherry trees along Riverside Drive and on River Island in memory of or in honor of benefactors’ loved ones…and to continue to make Memphians proud of their city. Of the event, Tigrett said, “This was one of my all-time favorite Blues Balls. The 25th anniversary of our iconic bridge combined with other Memphis icons...our legendary Memphis musicians…was a true Memphis celebration.”

Sam Tweddell and Elizabeth Boone

Mike and Suzie Bowen

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Roy Haithcock and Don Perry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Kemp and Anne Conrad

Jimmy Ogle and Knox Phillips

Kelsey Loeffel and London Estis

Ron Olson, Mayor A C Wharton, Sam Samudio, Steve Conley and Mayor Mark Luttrell

Pat Kerr Tigrett and Al Bell

EVENT BLUES BALL

Kari Miller with Dr. Gary and Jenny Earhart

Deanna Vaughan and Henry Asby Fullmer III

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Buddy and Kate Gaynor

James and Donna Fox

Woodrow and Andrea Brown

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Madelyn Gray and Amy Beth Dudley

Sarah Jeffries and Brandy Davis

John Pellicciotti and Beth Flanagan

Phil and Bridget Trenary

Marcus Grandberry and Jessica Little

Ken McCown and Sara Hall

EVENT BLUES BALL

Aspen Mueller and Gordon Blum

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David and Jeanne Simmons

Jon and Ellen Hornyak with Diana and Jody Stephens RSVP

Bruce and Janie Hopkins with Elizabeth and Steve Thompson

Lee Warren, Ovul Ince, Nagesh Kamarsu and Rose Carabello Smith

EVENT BLUES BALL Mary and Paul Morris

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Patrick and Deni Reilly with Pat Mitchell Worley

We prefer to see our patients outside the office.

Patrick Akers and Kym Clark

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EVENT BLUES BALL O C T O B E R 2 0 11

Evan Walker, Rachel Agee, Brandi Jenks and Colby Bowen

Lance and Traci Denton

Sheila and Jim Wilson

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Nancy Coffee, Kathryn Perry, Christina Brown and Jill Turner

Tim and Marta Mitchell

Danny and Sharon Sumrall

EVENT BLUES BALL Tricia and Doug Weatherford

Wendy and Tommy Simpson

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Arlessia Davis, Jilian McQueen and Lindy Roberson

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Curry Weber, Elizabeth Montgomery Brown and Dan Russo

Paula Wyatt and Lee Secrest

Brisa Samudio and Brandon Irwin

STREETSEEN

Charlie Nelson Volunteer Go-To

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or Charlie Nelson, director of volunteers and fundraising events at the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, each day at work brings about an “aha” moment, and it’s no wonder, with the thousands of altruists she meets. Last year alone, MIFA had 1,459 volunteers donate 158,643 hours (the equivalent of 76 full-time staff positions) by helping sustain seniors’ independence, working with families in crisis and mentoring area youth. However, volunteers aren’t the only inspiring figures, as Nelson remembers a particular experience where MIFA beneficiaries changed her forever. Nelson tells, “The first time I delivered meals to those less fortunate, I realized what’s important. I made some major changes in my life after that day.” She adds that programs like Meals on Wheels (MIFA has nine programs total listed on mifa.org) make you realize that volunteering is not just about the service you’re doing, but about relationship-building, especially with shut-ins. Referred to as the eyes and ears of the organization, volunteers often provide the only social interaction MIFA clients have in a week, and they’ll also report back to MIFA with emergency situations, such as when an air conditioning unit breaks, or make useful suggestions that get implemented, like delivering dog and cat food once a month to clients who can’t afford it. Nelson even recalls one occasion when a man had been waiting for her to deliver his meal so she could call 911 since he’d broken his hip and couldn’t get to a phone. She says, “I think everyone in some small way can serve the community; don’t let age or disability keep you from giving back, as we have several volunteers with disabilities and a broad span of age groups, from children to someone in his 90s.” To figure out which service capacity best suits you, Nelson provides facility tours and a general overview of MIFA, located at 910 Vance Avenue, at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m. on Wednesdays by appointment. She offers that current volunteers are the best form of recruitment though, and encourages Memphians to come meet some of those “recruiters” on October 6 at the annual “Feed the Soul” benefit, which she helps plan at The Warehouse. MIFA’s “Something Good in Memphis” campaign provides another way for would-be volunteers to learn how others are positively changing the community. Nelson points out that many times we all hear about good deeds taking place without knowing the party responsible, so this campaign strives to make those everyday do-gooders known. Nominees don’t have to be affiliated with MIFA, and anyone can nominate someone on the MIFA Web site. Select nominees then have a picture appear along with a story in The Commercial Appeal. Looking up at the giant “Something Good in Memphis” sign hanging in MIFA’s entrance, Nelson reminisces, “I wasn’t even looking for a job when this one came open, not to mention that I didn’t even know about MIFA when I was growing up in a housing project in the city. Now, MIFA has turned out to be the longest place I’ve ever worked.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

STREETSEEN

Mike Morgan Pickleball Ambassador

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tanding on a court at the Owings Life Enrichment Center (part of Germantown United Methodist Church) with what appears to be a small paddle and a wiffle-type looking ball, Mike Morgan gears up for a pickup match of a sport that combines components of tennis, badminton, racquetball and ping pong. Called pickleball, the name throws some off at first, but once newbies try it, Morgan says most quickly forget any confusing food connotations the name might suggest because they’re having too much fun playing the easyto-learn, fast-paced game. Morgan says, “I like to think of the game as ping pong on steroids!” A volunteer ambassador for the US Pickleball Association in the Memphis/Shelby County area since 2006, Morgan leads demonstrations and clinics for the sport anywhere within his region where someone has interest, but he started developing his own enthusiasm for pickleball seven years ago after getting hooked on it with his wife, Alice, during a vacation in Florida. When he came home, he began playing at the Germantown United Methodist Church, then the only facility in town available to play his new pastime. Today, about 40 members of the Germantown Pickleball Group play at the church on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with competitive players on the courts from 8-10 a.m. and others from around 10 a.m. until noon, and on Tuesday evenings from March until November from 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Anyone can show up to play with us, and court three is open for beginners, who can use our equipment to learn,” Morgan relays. More local places have since opened their doors to pickleball, which is played on outdoor courts in areas with more favorable year-round weather. Groups now play on Thursdays at the Bert Ferguson Community Center from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and at Balmoral Baptist Church from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The White Station Church of Christ offers open play on Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon, and the YMCAs at Schilling Farms and Olive Branch have courts as well. Picking up momentum here, pickleball dates back to 1965, when Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell invented a game for their families on Pritchard’s old badminton court in Washington state. They found a perforated plastic ball and made four wood paddles, and then began volleying the ball over a badminton net. After seeing that the ball bounced well on asphalt, they lowered the net to 36 inches—the net height at the sidelines in today’s version of the sport. The Pritchards’ cocker spaniel, Pickles, often ran away with the ball, so the game became pickleball. Morgan credits John Struthers as the grandfather of pickleball in Memphis, where the sport has a 20-year presence. Because it’s played inside in this area, Morgan says pickleball has been somewhat invisible, but that’s quickly changing with an increasing fan base and player recognition, including the 13 local players who took home 18 medals at the Tennessee Senior Olympics State Finals in July. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

STREETSEEN

Phyllis Boger Westernizing the Batik Technique

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transplant from Connecticut, Phyllis Boger not only brought her free spirit when she moved to Memphis in 2003, but also her diverse artistic talent— something that’s suited her well in a city she praises for having a widespread art scene and quality galleries. A painter with the Fountain Art Gallery, Boger has been making her mark on canvases, including some creative media like plastic body forms, since childhood, and even teaches plein air (outside) painting classes in Italy. However, she’s broadened her interests through the years into monoprints, collages and the unusual art of painting on silk, a skill for which has made her stand out among local artists. “I might be the only silk painter in Memphis,” she shares. Now an instructor of silk painting classes at the Memphis Botanic Garden every 12 weeks, Boger says she became fascinated with this type of art when an aunt brought home batiks from Sri Lanka. Prominent in Asian, and sometimes African, cultures, batiks are cloths traditionally colored by using a manual waxresist dyeing technique and are used for clothing or banners. Intrigued by the technique, Boger decided she wanted to “Westernize” it by making batik more of an art form, rather than a craft. She began by applying more painterly subject matter to silk fabrics and framing them just like she would her paintings. Two years ago, she exhibited her silk paintings for the first time at Christian Brothers University. A referential artist, Boger needs a sense of place or feeling before she goes to work and makes no qualms about painting what she knows. For her silk drawings, an inspiring force has been American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, whose influence is clearly evident through Boger’s bold use of color and swirling, almost whimsical forms. Inspiration can also arise from one of her many artist friends, of which she has many thanks to her roles as vice president of the Memphis Germantown Art League and president of Artists’ Link, a group of 95 artists that welcomed her into the local artist community shortly after she moved here. She tells, “I’d been here only 10 days and was trying to adjust when I met Jeannine Paul at Michaels. She was giving a demo and invited me to an Artists’ Link meeting.” When Boger showed up to that first meeting, she felt at home, immediately enjoying the comaraderie among the artists and the noncompetitive nature of the members, who exhibit as a group. Soon thereafter, she joined, meeting every third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Jason’s Deli on Highland with the group, comprised of everyone from a photographer of train graffiti to a professor of medieval history at the University of Memphis. Perhaps she’ll expand her repertoire with another style of art in the future, but until then, she’s happy keeping company with artists as unique as her works. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

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VOX POPULAR

Vox Popular Q&A with Diana Kelly

RSVP: How long have you been in AFP Memphis? Kelly: Almost five years. I started not long after I took this position [manager of institutional development at the Medical Education and Research Institute], and I had no fund-raising experience when I took this position. With this job, I do operations, marketing, PR, fund-raising and special events.

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RSVP: What led to your involvement with AFP Memphis?

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Kelly: I knew a few people in the organization, and Bob Plunk at Methodist invited me to come to one of the meetings. It seemed like a good way to get indoctrinated and network with people and find mentors who could answer my questions and help me. Having no fund-raising experience, I felt like I needed to have a way to educate myself about it. AFP has a lot of conferences and educational opportunities that helped me learn more about fund-raising and development in general. The benefit of AFP is that they provide great educational opportunities not only locally, but at the national level. We just had our annual conference and had about seven or eight speakers, some from outside of Memphis. The program is comprehensive, and people can attend whatever is meaningful to them because everyone has a slightly different niche, even though they might all be fund-raising. About 117 members attended that conference, and, you know, it’s good to have something locally and not have to travel with the economy the way it is. Each month, we also have a luncheon on the Christian Brothers University campus, usually in the Thomas Center, and have a speaker come talk about various subjects. It could be ethics, special events or grant funders coming to talk about the state of grant funding in the city. The luncheons appeal to a broad audience and are open to all our members, and even if you aren’t a member, you can come to our luncheons and hear the program. Guests have to pay a little more for the luncheon than a member, but hopefully if they come and get a lot out of it, then they’ll join. Our Web site [afpmemphis.afpnet.org] will allow you to see what the subject matter is and allow you to sign up. The next luncheon will be October 6 at CBU from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and the speaker will be Robert Sharpe of the Sharpe Company, who will speak on planned giving.

RSVP: What are the requirements for someone to join AFP?

Photos by Don Perry

s president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis chapter, Diana Kelly says she’s learned more about the field from the organization’s membership and programming than from any book on the topic, and she has a lot of those in her office. With a presence in the Memphis community for more than 25 years, AFP has not only become a beneficial resource for Kelly, but for hundreds of locals working in the nonprofit world who dedicate their lives day in and day out to making the lives of others better. RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick met up with Kelly at the Medical Education and Research Institute, where she works as the manager of institutional development, to gain insight about AFP’s upcoming National Philanthropy Day® Crystal Awards Luncheon and to hear why the organization is more important than ever to its members during an uncertain economic climate.

Kelly: Well, AFP is very much committed to ethical fund-raising, so in order to join, you have to agree you’ll do the right things in fund-raising, and there’s a code of ethics you have to sign. What it does is really raise the professionalism of that profession. People in fund-raising need to make sure they’re doing the right thing for their donors and for each other. AFP International is the overall governing body, with chapters all over the world, in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Egypt, China, Indonesia and Singapore. Then, AFP International has strategic alliances with fund-raisers in seven other countries, including Holland, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Kenya and Germany. When we have international conferences— this year, it’s in Vancouver—at least 15-20 of us from the Memphis chapter will go. We do have a couple of scholarships that the chapter awards, as well as AFP International, to people who have never been or to those from an organization that is maybe too small to afford to send someone. Last year, we also started a diversity scholarship program to pay for membership for the local chapter, and Goodwill Homes was the first recipient of that and got to send one person as a member. RSVP: How many different organizations are represented in the local AFP chapter? Kelly: We have 165 members, and there are several organizations that have several members, so I’d say at least 140-150 organizations are represented in AFP. The majority of the organizations are nonprofits, but we do have a few business members who work with nonprofits and some consultants who work with nonprofits. Again, it’s all related to that nonprofit effort. RSVP: What has been your biggest challenge as president of AFP? Kelly: Well, I think you want to increase your membership, and you want to provide quality educational opportunities. Really, I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge; it’s an opportunity. Making sure you’re giving

Kelly: I think so. I think though that sometimes the expense holds some people back if they’re in a small organization, but they can still attend the luncheons and pick and choose what they’ll benefit from, from a programming standpoint. RSVP: How does the local AFP chapter compare to others? Kelly: We are very favorably compared to other chapters. We are a nice size for our city. We have been consistently well run, and membership has been steadily increasing. We are a Ten Star chapter, which means we have satisfied all the requirements to achieve that. It’s a designation you have to work toward, and we have been a Ten Star chapter for many years. Our chapter actually celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, and the international organization, as of last year, has been in existence for 50 years.

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33 RSVP

RSVP: Do you feel like a majority of fund-raising professionals in Memphis are aware of AFP?

VOX POPULAR

members what they expect from their membership is also important, and I think we’ve done that this year. We’ve had some fabulous programs and a lot of talented people in the chapter who have put together a lot of great speakers. The other thing is the networking opportunities—we have a little bit of time before every luncheon when the group can interact and meet other people in the field. Knowing what’s out there has been a huge benefit to me, as well as learning about what other people are doing and the great fund-raisers in the city. For example, the new Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital was a huge fund-raising effort, and they were able to come and present their strategies and what they did. It’s a great way for people to say, “Yeah, that could work for me,” or “That’s a great idea.” Then, since the economy got tougher, it’s become relevant to hear what the state of fundraising is from people.

Kelly: There are all kinds of resources from International AFP on the Web site. You can go in and learn everything from ethics to how to run your chapter. If you’re a board member, it gives you responsibilities to tools you might need and forms for scholarships. It’s a pretty comprehensive Web site, and you can chat with other members. There’s even a blog. Occasionally, we do a survey to see what our membership is interested in and try to develop programming around that. AFP International puts together audio conferences of different subject matter, and as a chapter, you can choose what you want to participate in and offer that. We offer about 10 of those conferences a year to our members free of charge. We have a newsletter that is emailed to the membership monthly, and we try to include upcoming events in that. Also, on our Web site, there are jobs posted in the nonprofit world.

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RSVP: Does AFP ever have a hand in developing legislation favorable to philanthropy?

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RSVP: What are some of the different services AFP offers to its members?

Kelly: Sometimes, we’ll write letters and things like that, but for the most part, that’s done by AFP International if there’s new legislation coming up that would make it difficult for nonprofits. Pretty much, that’s part of what our dues go for, which is to 34 do things on a global basis that maybe individuals would have trouble doing at a local level. RSVP

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RSVP: What is the purpose of the Every Member Campaign 2011?

Stacy’s Hallmark La Baguette Bakery & Bistro Pelli’ Aesthetics Seize the Clay Ella Hair, Inc. Primary Care Specialists Pier 1 Imports Fountain Art Gallery JM’s Beautiful You Maternity Kelly Beers Salon Mrs. Post Stationery Just for Lunch 7th Avenue Jimmy Graham Interior Design David Johnson Designs Lisa Mallory Interior Design Kittie Kyle More T.H.E.R.A.P.Y Poppies A. Shaw Jewelry 3092 Poplar Ave. (next to the main public library)

Kelly: It’s an annual campaign, and we do two things with that. The AFP Foundation requests donations from our membership to be able to further their cause and to provide scholarships and things like that that they would do at the international level. Then, we have the membership campaign that focuses on bringing in new members each year. What we chose to do this year was to make it ongoing and not make it a specific period of time, but each month focus on welcoming guests. RSVP: What are some best fund-raising practices you can share with our readers? Kelly: I would say to keep your promises to your donors and protect their interests. I think if you take care of your donors, then everything else kind of falls into place. Also, you need to follow ethical principles, and it’s really important to be professional. RSVP: What are some highlights of the National Philanthropy Day® Crystal Awards Luncheon coming up November 29 at the U of M Holiday Inn? Kelly: Well, we’ve got some great winners, including DuncanWilliams Investment Bankers (Outstanding Corporation); Susan Schadt with ArtsMemphis (Outstanding Executive Leader); Linda Jackson-McNeil with BRIDGES (Outstanding Fund-raising Executive); James McGehee with McGehee Realty and

RSVP: How are nominations gathered for the Crystal Awards? Kelly: Our two fund-raising executive leadership awards [Outstanding Fund-raising Executive and Outstanding Volunteer Fund-raiser] have to be nominated by a member, but all other award recipients can be nominated by the community. We get a nice group of nominations of very good quality, and we have a committee who reviews those, with some of the committee members who are AFP members and others who are not. RSVP: What do you think people would be most surprised to know about AFP Memphis? Kelly: I think how dedicated the members are and how much those professionals enable organizations to do for the community. Memphis is a very giving community.

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Development Company (Outstanding Philanthropist); Shannon Brown, senior vice president and chief human resources officer of FedEx Corporation (Outstanding Volunteer Fund-raiser); Michael and Bette Arndt with Emergency Mobile Health Care (Spirit of Philanthropy); and Caesars Entertainment (Partners in Philanthropy). Another thing we do is give out Youth in Philanthropy awards each year, and they’re done separately from the luncheon, even though they’re recognized at the luncheon. We give out two awards in that category: one for an individual and one for a group, and they are nominated through the schools. It’s important for us to bring youth into the philanthropy realm early on, and we actually go to their schools before they get out at the end of the year and usually present the awards at an assembly. The awards can be given to a student at any school in the surrounding area, but typically they’re given to high school kids because that age group seems to be the most involved with philanthropy.

EVENT BROOKS AVANT GARDE PARTY

hez Brooks,” better known as the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, felt more like a Parisian nightclub than a museum during its annual Avant Garde Party. Always the highlight of the summer for Brooks members and their guests, the gathering had adopted a French theme to coincide with the institution’s current exhibition, The Impressionist Revolution, and the vibe was très magnifique! As patrons walked across the museum’s veranda, they were quickly transported into Bohemian Paris thanks to a strolling accordion player and a plethora of performance artists, who painted an abstract painting while roller skating on top of a giant canvas. Inside, a replica of the Eiffel Tower set the scene in the rotunda, as did a balloon artist, a stilt walker and a mime standing atop a podium. Deeper into the museum, more entertainment options abounded with a dressup photo booth, where attendees could choose to disguise themselves in masks, tams, boas or fake mustaches; a large canvas on the terrace for guests to splatter paint; music by the Iguanas and the Magic Kids; and two tree reading stations. Though he wouldn’t reveal the finer points of his tree reading experience with the Amazin’ Grayson, Avant Garde host committee member Shannon Morgan did say, “With my tree reading, I was going with Abstract Expressionism.” Libations and hors d’oeuvres also were in keeping with the theme and packed a punch with their presentation. From ice shots named “Paris, Je T’aime” (mango vodka and peach maitilde), “Bizou” (Sprite, pineapple upside down cake liqueur and grenadine) and “Melon Fou” (lemonade and watermelon liqueur) to Absintheladen concoctions mixed up in the Absinthe Room, which cast a ghoulish glow on guests due to all the green-colored light bulbs, there wasn’t a shortage of French-inspired cocktails. The party wouldn’t have been complete though without savory French fare, such as crepes of goat cheese, ratatouille and chicken, a charcuterie and cheese display and macaroons. Partygoers toasted to the exhibition, as well as to the arts in the local community and abroad, by coming out for this affair, which continues to deliver a new, or avant garde, experience for patrons year in and year out.

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Brooks Avant Garde Party Summer Soirée

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Mona and Bill Sappenfield

Candice Young and Stephanie Drouillard

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Jimpsie and Warren Ayres

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Nathan Berry

Stephen Laws and Erica Farmer

Lisa Adee and Dan Flick

Nancy Wood and Laura Charbonnet

Randy and Laura Tims

Tom and Mary Jo Miller with Ginny and John Webb

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EVENT BROOKS AVANT GARDE PARTY

Daniel and Sherrill French

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Alpha Lyons and Vesna Milojevic

Clavette Bullard, Amy Greer and Tarsha Moore RSVP

Lee Woodruff uff is the he third third presenter presenter esenter in the Crittenden Crittenden tal Foundat F oundation’ ion’’ss annual speaker speaker and Regional Hospital Foundation’s Wo Woodr druff serves ser vves es as a home an and nd nd famil ly ly dinner series. Woodruff family contributor ibutor to o ABC Good Good Mor Morning ning ning Amer America. ic ica. She received ed d national national ional acclaim acclaim for for leading leading her family’ss journey jourrne ney of rrecovery ney reco ecover eco ery r y af after fter fter her husband, hu ld dN ews Tonight Tonight co-anchor co-anchor Bob ABC World News Woodruff, was critically critic itic it ically ly injured injured b byy a rroadside oadside oa bomb omb whilee covering cover ering ering ing the war in Iraq Iraq in 2006. She She shared ed her lif life fe fe lessons and eexperiences xp xper xper eriences iences from from this in her New w York Yo Y ork Times ork Times imes best-seller, best-sel best-seller est-seller ler, In an Instant. Inst Instant ttaaant.

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BROOKS AVANT GARDE PARTY

Brian and Holly Coleman with Mikki and Darrell Cobbins

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PHOENIX CLUB PARTY AT THE PALACE

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Phoenix Club Party at the Palace Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis

O Paul and Laura Yacoubian

Lindsey and Casey Cade

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n a cooler-than-usual Memphis night under a blanket of stars, supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis had the chance to party like royalty at the palatial setting of Memphis’ most famous manor, the Pink Palace. The function, dubbed Party at the Palace, was this year’s rendition of the Phoenix Club’s summer fund-raiser, which can be added to the group’s other annual parties including its Mardi Gras celebration and others. In its second year, the Party at the Palace brought in more than 800 guests, with 700 buying their tickets in advance. “We were as happy as can be with the turnout,” said the event chair, John Collier. “This party has really grown over the past couple years and has become a signature event for the Phoenix Club. It raises a lot of money for an excellent organization–the Boys & Girls Clubs–but it is also a really fun party.” Paul and Janet Hayden drove from Olive Branch just to see ‘80s cover band U.S. play. “We came for the band,” said Janet. “It’s very pretty here. It’s the first time I’ve been [to the Pink Palace].” Paul added, “We just moved here [from Jackson, Mississippi].” Emily Simpson, who attended with her then-fiancé, Derrick Simpson, said, “It’s awesome; I’m excited,” with Derrick chiming in, “I just joined [the Phoenix Club] three months ago. They do some really good work.” Beverages were provided by 901 Tequila, the Silly Goose, Swanky’s Taco Shop, Dan McGuinness and Budweiser of Memphis, and a hot dog stand provided for late night snacking. The event raised close to $10,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs. “That’s not bad for a flip-flop and tank top event,” said the club’s president, Nathan Walters.

Jon Pointer and Brennan Trezevant

Sarah Coplin and Dan Taylor

Story by Lesley Young Photos by Nathan Berry

See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Renee Dearmond and Gordon Conway

Derick Garner and Mary Alice Ruleman

Neil Townsend and Katie Casey

Rachel McAteer, Lindsay Pate and Aaron and Louisa Munn

Allison Rogers and Calvit Ratcliffe

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PHOENIX CLUB PARTY AT THE PALACE

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PHOENIX CLUB PARTY AT THE PALACE O C T O B E R 2 0 11

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PHOENIX CLUB PARTY AT THE PALACE

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EVENT Jessie Wilks and Steve Hutton

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PHOENIX CLUB PARTY AT THE PALACE

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Zoo Brew

ZOO BREW

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Whitney Bell and Daniel Butts

Janna Tacker and KC Gordon

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very year, the Memphis Zoo transforms itself into the city’s largest biergarten for one night of sipping, singing and eventually howling at the moon. The Zoo Brew offers something stout for whatever ales you. On a sultry night in early September, thousands braved humidity worthy of a Tennessee Williams play to wander the many paths inside the zoo where kiosks, 44 in all, handed out double shotsized cups of beers from around the globe. From Germany there was Franzikaner Hefe Weiss or Spaten’s Oktoberfest or Dunkel. Those still celebrating Memphis in May’s honored country of Belgium got a taste of Lindeman’s Strawberry Pomme, Kriek Cassis and Peche Framboise. Irish stouts were well represented with Murphy’s, Beamish and O’Hara’s. Equally as popular though were American boutique beers like Vermont’s Woodchuck Hard Ciders, Oregon’s Rogue Porter and Chateau Rogue and California’s Self-Righteous and Arrogant Bastard Ales. A party band playing Elvis to ‘80s hits welcomed guests in sun dresses, shorts and t-shirts and kept the beat alive while beergoers danced their way through beer lines. Most arrived in groups and enjoyed comparing their Taj Mahal Lagers with their Hop Wallop Pale Ales under a starlit sky. While the animals had already retired to bed, the beautifully landscaped exhibits brought the intimacy of a Shakespearian magical forest to the event as guests relaxed on benches alongside spectacular water features or in groves of shrubbery. Keeping the environment in mind, the thousands of bottles opened for the party were all recycled by the zoo’s Green Team. Burgers, hot dogs, nachos and pretzels were available for purchase, but this crowd arrived well-steeled for a night of Pilsners, ambers, lagers and even some closer-to-home selections from Memphis’ own Ghost River Brewing and Nashville’s Yazoo Brewing Company. Brew newbies were delighted as well. Said one guest between sips of the British Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, “This is something I could get used to.”

John McNeil and Emily English

Corey and Maria Miller

Story by Jonathan Devin Photos by Baxter Buck See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Alam Sharifi and Dane Smith

Wanda and William Jackson

Katie Clark and Jon Hodge

Sarah Veazey, Cathy Clark, Tracy Dougan, Ashley Bryant and Mandy Caldwell

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ZOO BREW Logan Swanberry and Sachi Watkins

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Rob and Sonnet Booth with Chris Bauer

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EVENT ZOO BREW

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The Great Wine Performances WAMS Luncheon Christmas in July AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic Pairings Party was abuzz with Tony Award-winning shows, Monidtown or at least characters from 10 of them, at Playhouse the Square’s Great Wine Performances. This popular

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Christy Whittington, Jeff Scott and Sara Guice at AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic Pairings Party

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Bryan Ellis, Janie Cox and Neil Callaway at AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic Pairings Party

fund-raiser offered theater supporters a variety of wines for sampling at stations throughout the venue, and at each one, guests could guess the play represented by the character at the station for a chance to win a prize. Luckily, non-theater buffs had a shot at winning as well since clues could be gathered for small tips, or donations. Southwestern Distributing supplied the libations for the occasion, with nibbles provided by Marcy Siebert Catering and Lucchesi’s. Women united for a fifth year to lend their support to the National Multiple Sclerosis Mid-South Chapter at the Women Against MS Luncheon. Held at the U of M Holiday Inn, the WAMS Luncheon offered attendees an inspirational program that featured guest speaker Larissa Nusser. Diagnosed in 2000 with MS, Nusser, a yoga teacher from New York, co-created “You Can Do It Yoga for MS” DVDs for those with MS to help in their battle against the disease and encouraged guests by saying, “Being happy every day can give you the power to transform your life.” Kym Clark of WMCTV 5 emceed the event, which kept to tradition by featuring beautiful cakes (donated by area bakeries) that doubled as centerpieces and prizes for guests with birthdays closest to May 25. The searing heat outside seemed the appropriate backdrop for the fourth annual Christmas in July event held at Lexus of Memphis. Vendors sold items that would be perfect under any tree, from handcrafted jewelry to toys, homemade soaps and lotions, with sales benefiting the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South. Food, music and a performance by a young adult Down Syndrome dance troupe, Company D, added to the festivities. The Pairings Party, held the night before the tee-off of the 17th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic, featured cocktails and a silent auction, followed by a buffet dinner and live auction. Andy Childs provided music as guests bid on many golf-related items, as well as crystal dog bowls, season tickets to Playhouse on the Square, a behind the scenes tour of the Memphis Zoo and a painting from local artist Debbie Crawford. National Association of Auctioneer Hall of Famer John Roebuck, sold 11 luxury items, including a FedEx flight simulator experience for four and a vacation package to Vail, Colorado. Tournament proceeds benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick and Suzanne Thompson

Rashana Lincoln with Alex and Akia Wiley at The Great Wine Performances

Marisa Gullion, Kia Robinson, Molly Polatty and Amy Beth Dudley at The Great Wine Performances

Cyndii Jo Hartley and Katherine Whitfield at The Great Wine Performances

Emily Garrett and Taunya Stewart at WAMS Luncheon

Nicole Fox, Larissa Nusser and Michelle Rappaport at WAMS Luncheon

Lynda Dionne, Nancy Murphy, Suzanne Culpepper, Mike Murphy and Toney Dionne at Christmas in July

Nancy Jenning, Cory Shepard and Megan Davis at Christmas in July

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Forain After Dark Soirée Salvation Army Bridge and More Rock for Love 5 Kick-Off Shelby Farms Full Moon Mixer emphians gathered at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens MAnthropologie. to enjoy the sold-out Forain After Dark Soirée with Guests assembled outside the Hughes

Agnes Lindner and Susan Fondren at Forain After Dark Soirée

Kate Mauldin and Jonathan Kirkscey at Rock for Love 5 Kick-Off

Natalie Martin, Stacy Smith and Jessica Renton at Rock for Love 5 Kick-Off

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Josh Throndson and Sarah Long at Forain After Dark Soirée

Pavilion to nab a spot in front of the runway and to enjoy a Champagne tasting and hors d’oeuvres, such as tomato basil knish and raspberry chocolate truffles. After an hour of mingling, Nadia Fares, store manager for Anthropolgie Memphis, presented a fashion show with local women of all ages sporting the store’s flirty summer skirts and blouses, classy going-out dresses and vintage work attire. Afterward, an Anthropologie tote bag and gift bag from Bare Escentuals, which gave Major Rhea Dawn Woodcock, Arlene Southern and Joan Alperin away free makeovers to every guest at the show, were at Salvation Army Bridge and More raffled off. Viewers then went back inside to mingle as local vocalist Grace Askew performed fun and bluesy melodies. Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary members joined together at the Germantown United Methodist Church, Owings Life Enrichment Center, to play bridge, enjoy a box lunch provided by Panera Bread and partake in the “White Elephant” sale of donated books, jewelry, picture frames and other household items to support the Salvation Army. More than 200 participants enjoyed the Bridge and More event, which also included door prizes, table prizes and high-score bridge prizes. The Women’s Auxiliary supports many outposts of the Salvation Army, including the Purdue Center of Hope, Adult Rehabilitation Center, Emergency Family Shelter and the Single Women’s Lodge. The Church Health Center’s Rock for Love 5 benefit concert kicked off its largest year for local musicians and supporters at Ardent Studios with free barbecue, chicken sandwiches, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of Grace West and Nancy Masterson wine and beer. Music lovers attended the kick-off to at Salvation Army Bridge and More 53 mingle and prepare for shows hosted by the Hi-Tone, Shangri-La Records and The Gazebo on August 18-21. Local bands, such as The Subteens, Bryan Hartley Industries and Star & Micey, to name a few, donated their time and energy throughout the week to spur future support for local music and raise funds for the Church Health Center. Shelby Farms Park Conservancy members ventured to the park to enjoy food, beer, wine and live music during the Full Moon Mixer, sponsored by Ghost River Brewing. The conservancy celebrated its supporters of the new Shelby Farms Greenline by having a raffle for bicycles, riding lessons and athletic equipment, while bike rides took place on the new Greenline trail and a slideshow for park and Greenline users aired in the outside yurt. The Near Reaches and DJ David Pickett provided music, and Shelby Farms stickers, tshirts, water bottles and other items were available for Ginger Chapman and Carolyn Luttrell purchase as the park advertised the Greenline Half at Salvation Army Bridge and More Marathon on October 2. Story and photos by Andrea Stockard

Linda Hibbitt, Dione Jarred, Amy Moore and Kimberly Moore at Shelby Farms Full Moon Mixer

Darlene Winters, Janet Ticer and Bob Winters at Shelby Farms Full Moon Mixer

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O C T O B E R 2 0 11

he ninth annual Summer in the City Fiesta saved Memphians from simmering in the city by hosting a backyard-style gathering in the cool confines of Chickasaw Oaks Village. This casual, come-as-you-are party raised awareness for Volunteer Mid-South, the region’s full-service volunteer action center, and was hosted by the group’s wonderfully welcoming president, Brent DeLatte. Just For Lunch catered scrumptious Mexican eats, while Stinky Gringo margaritas flowed thanks to Delta Beverage Group, as well as beer and wine from Southwestern Beverage Distributing. Andy Alex Turner, Brittany McDonald and Alyana Lewis Tanas provided the tunes. An event where you can wear at Bracket Bash Cheryl Charles and JoAnn Ireland your madras shorts to the taco bar before scoring silent at Susan G. Komen Survivor Luncheon auction deals on everything from fine tequila to Pilates and massages? Si, por favor! The kick-off for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis 12th annual Tennis Invitational was held at Lexus of Memphis, and the party was just what it claimed to be: a bash. Bracket Bash featured many silent auction items, as well as a live auction conducted by radio personality Tom Prestigiacomo. Spirited bidders vied for a variety of trip packages, seats for a national tennis competition and a pamper package from Mona Spa and Laser Center. The tournament and related festivities raised $155,000 for the local Boys & Girls Clubs. Hundreds of breast cancer survivors celebrated Susan G. Komen Survivor Luncheon, at the annual Eddie Robinson, Debbie Yeager, Bill Mitchell and Heidi MacPherson 54 at Bracket Bash sponsored by Sandra and Jack Jones and the family of Alyssa Throckmorton, Billie White, Tracy McFall and Melissa Lewis the late Dottie Jones, at the U of M Holiday Inn. For at Susan G. Komen Survivor Luncheon this occasion, Chef Edward Nowakowski prepared a choice of three lunch entrees, and throughout the luncheon, guests enjoyed presentations from a variety of women offering advice on fashion, makeup, health and fitness. The U of M Holiday Inn also hosted the Be Found Virtuous Ministries’ biggest event of the year, the Total Woman of VIRTUE Affair. Founded by Qualice T. Seymour, Be Found Virtuous Ministries offers self-esteem and character-building sessions for women in the community. This year’s honorees were Christina Fanning, Yvonne Richmond, Vanessa Harrington and Michelle Tate.

Renee DeGutis, Dave Harris, Ruth Grant and Lisa Harris at Summer in the City Fiesta

Adrianne and Anthony Brown with Brent DeLatte at Summer in the City Fiesta

Story and photos by Kelly Cox and Suzanne Thompson

Christina Fanning, Yvonne Richmond, Qualice Seymour, Vanessa Harrington and Michelle Tate at Total Woman of VIRTUE Affair

De’Erica Thompson, Felicia Thompson and Mittie Carey at Total Woman of VIRTUE Affair

Desiree Thomas, Donald Thomas and Pam Scott at Total Woman of VIRTUE Affair

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