Go Memphis Stories: Parties

Party Line: Dressed to the nines

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:41:00 -0000

Surrounded by mannequins and humans wearing his creations, Andre Bruce Ward was honored for 30 years of designing costumes for Theatre Memphis productions at a party Friday night at the theater. In between constant hugs and kisses from his fans, Andre, who looked dapper in a black suit and a red tie, said he also takes pains when it comes to dressing himself: "I like to dress well and carefully."

Party line: Backstage Ball 3 rolls out the red carpet for impersonators of music's top stars

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0000

Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and Hank Williams Jr. are among the country music singers who've performed at FedExForum. Reba McIntire, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Toby Keith, Patsy Cline, Minnie Pearl and other country-star look-a-likes "played" FedExForum Thursday night at Memphis Rock 'N' Soul's Backstage Ball 3 "Red Carpet Rodeo."

After Dark: Kudzu's Pickin' Party

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:36:00 -0000

Michael Donahue’s After Dark goes to a Pickin’ Party at Kudzu’s. The 8 p.m. Thursday night-attraction has been described as “guitar karaoke;” folks bring their guitars to the bar/restaurant at 603 Monroe and join Nancy Apple in a circle to take turns singing originals or covers.

Party Line: Back to the Eighties

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:22:00 -0000

The 1980s was the theme of the eighth annual Hollywood Casino St. Jude Red Carpet Bash Saturday night at Hollywood Casino, so big hair was a big part of many outfits. Describing his bushy, curly wig, Frank York said, "I'm the guy they kicked out of White Snake before they made it big." Will Hutchins, who wore an oversized curly wig, portrayed Slash from Guns 'N' Roses.

After Dark: Brookhaven Pub & Grill

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:16:00 -0000

If sports events are airing on seven plasma TVs, people wearing jerseys with numbers on the back are eating, drinking and watching the TVs, you’re probably in a sports bar. Michael Donahue’s After Dark visits Brookhaven Pub & Grill, a refuge at 695 West Brookhaven Circle for sports lovers.

Party Line: 'Famous' faces showed up at Halloween gatherings

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:34:00 -0000

Three Sarah Palins made the scene at The Zarr Party Friday night at the Warehouse in the South Main area. Kim Bennett dressed as Palin and Kim's husband, George, attended as Palin's husband, Todd. Completing the trio was Mark Dodson as Joe the Plumber. As usual, some couples didn't go together.

Michael Donahue's After Dark: Rumba Room

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:40:00 -0000

It’s Salsa Night every Friday and Saturday at Rumba Room Latin Bistro and Salsa Nightclub at 303 South Main. Michael Donahue’s After Dark visits the nightspot around 11:30 p.m. The jam-packed dance floor heats up as patrons twist and swirl to music from a live band.

Party Line: Bids ride high on artistic horses at Germantown auction

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:36:00 -0000

Twenty-one Fiberglass horses found homes and some got to go back home at Germantown Charity Horse Show's recent "A Twenty-One Horse Salute" auction in the Shops of Saddle Creek parking lot. These are lifesize horse statues transformed into works of art through paint, pennies and, in one case, candy wrappers for "The Horses are Coming! The Horses are Coming!" project that began last January to honor Germantown Charity Horse Show's 60th anniversary.

Party Line: A Taste of dance

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:46:00 -0000

Jesus Pacheco thought Karen Blockman Carrier's first course for the Ballet Memphis fundraiser, "Connections: Food," was "overwhelming." It included Tennessee figs over warm goat cheese, shaved steak salad, peppercorn-crusted tuna, chicken dumplings, grilled scallops sashimi, deviled eggs and fried Apalachicolas oysters.

Party Line: Memphians kick up their heels in celebration of anniversaries

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:32:00 -0000

The Midtown Rhythm and Blues Party -- a.k.a. Architects Party -- celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday night at Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects. Another 20th anniversary party was held at the spring Architects Party last April at the same location. The party is held twice a year. That first party 20 years ago was held in the fall and was a "beach party," said Joe Wieronski, one of the event founders.

After Dark: Earnestine & Hazel’s

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:20:00 -0000

What do you eat at 3 a.m. when you’re bar hopping Downtown? You get a Soul Burger at Earnestine & Hazel’s at 531 South Main. Michael Donahue’s After Dark takes a look and a few bites of the burger that’s become legendary among night clubbers. Owner Russell George named the hamburger in honor of the soul singers who frequented Earnestine & Hazel’s back in the day.

Party Line: Movie crew for 'N-Secure' recharge at Itta Bena

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:28:00 -0000

Cast and crew of "N-Secure," a movie produced and co-written by Memphian Julius Lewis and being filmed in Memphis, gathered for a party Sept. 29 at Itta Bena restaurant. Guests included Tempestt Bledsoe, who played Vanessa Huxtable on "The Cosby Show;" Essence Atkins, a regular on UPN's "Half and Half"; and Denise Boutte, who was in "Why Did I Get Married?"

Michael Donahue's After Dark: Dan McGuiness Pub

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:08:00 -0000

Michael Donahue’s After Dark visits karaoke night at Dan McGuiness Pub at 4698 Spottswood. Anyone can be a star on Wednesday nights. Choose from rap to country, grab the mike (and perhaps a beer) and become, if not America’s, maybe Memphis’s Idol for a few minutes.

Party Line: Blues sky-high

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:26:00 -0000

The Blues Ball celebrated its 15th anniversary with fireworks, dynamic music and Memphis music legends. "Hallelujah Homecoming" was the theme of this year's bash, which featured music by artists that included Jerry Lee Lewis and Al Kapone on seven stages -- indoors and out -- a silent auction, a catered dinner and food stations from Memphis restaurants.

Michael Donahue's After Dark: The Cove

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:38:00 -0000

Remember Anderton’s, the Memphis restaurant/oyster bar with the fishnets, twinkling lights and pirate murals? It made you feel like you were in a 1950s time tunnel. The Midtown institution at 1901 Madison went out of business New Year’s Eve 2005, but the murals, the bar and other architectural elements are back at The Cove, a bar/restaurant at 2559 Broad.

Party Line: Tiki time in Collierville

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:47:00 -0000

Tiki torches -- those symbols of summer parties -- burned brightly as the season waned Saturday night at "Tiki Time on Town Square." The 16th annual Main Street Collierville's Partners in Preservation Party and Taste of the Town featured 25 food vendors, music by Van Gogh's Ear, live and silent auctions and a limbo contest for the braver guests in Collierville's town square.

Party Line: 25 gr-r-reat years for Zoo Rendezvous

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:05:00 -0000

The Rendezvous brought 150 slabs of ribs to the first Zoo Rendezvous 25 years ago, Nick Vergos recalled. Saturday night, the restaurant provided 140 slabs. That might sound strange considering the event grew from 300 people to one that draws thousands, but Rendezvous was the only food vendor for the first several years, Nick said. This year's event featured 77 restaurant stations.

Michael Donahue's After Dark: Bike Night on Beale

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:32:00 -0000

Michael Donahue’s After Dark: If you like choppers and hogs, Bike Night on Beale on Wednesdays is the place to be. Depending on the weather, there could be more than 100 local and out-of-town bikers showing off their motorcycles, networking and patronizing the night spots.

Gala's heads-up: Wear hats

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:59:00 -0000

The hooch didn't taste like it was made in a bathtub, but the attire and atmosphere at "The Speakeasy" resembled 1920s Prohibition era.

Party Line: Soul man absent

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:00:00 -0000

Likenesses of the late Isaac Hayes were featured on specially designed guitars for the auction at the upcoming Blues Ball. Guests got a sneak peak at the guitars at a cocktail party last Tuesday at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. Memphis firefighter Doug Mills was going to use David Porter, Robert Johnson and Hayes on the guitar he designed, but he decided to go with just Hayes. "Just because of his passing," he said.