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. "I thought it would be better to make a tribute guitar for him."

This year's ball will be dedicated to Hayes, said Pat Kerr Tigrett, event founder and general chairman. "He was the honorary chairman of the Blues Ball for all 14 years and performed every year," she said.

Gibson donated the 24 guitars, which were then designed by artists for the auction.

The "Hallelujah Homecoming" Blues Ball will be Sept. 27 on Lt. George W. Lee Ave. and will include the Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel and the Gibson Guitar Factory.

Avant Garde with Southern accent

Wearing their grooviest clothing, guests sipped ultraviolet martinis and had their photos taken in a room with aluminum foil-covered walls at The Factory Avant Garde Party at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

The party, presented by the Avant Garde support group at Brooks, coincided with the museum's show, "The Prints of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again."

Campbell's soup cans -- one of Warhol's painting subjects -- were stacked on tables at the recent party, but none of the soup was used in the party's cuisine, said Andrew Adams, who, along with Wally Joe, prepared the food.

The menu, which included hush puppies stuffed with braised pork belly served with green tomato jam, was more Memphis-Mississippi regional than hip 1960s fare. "It's Southern New York," Wally said.

'Dining by Design'

Steve and Kimberley Hale's spacious home on South Front was the site for the recent "Dining by Design" party presented by the Memphis chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Guests toured the 21,000-square-foot cotton classing warehouse, which was built in the 1800s. They also witnessed a magnificent sunset over the Mississippi River.

The party featured Southern-inspired food, a hands-on cooking demonstration with chef Thirawadee "Lena" Jones and designer fashion show by Mednikow and Shelton Clothiers.

The evening concluded with a performance by Amy LeVere, Paul Taylor and Steve Selvidge.

Tour de food samples fine fare

Memphis Literacy Council's recent "Taste of Cooper Young" began with a literatini -- a martini that included creme de cassis and vodka -- at the council's headquarters on Cooper.

Guests then stopped to eat at various restaurants, including The Beauty Shop Restaurant, Tsunami and Blue Fish. Nine restaurants were featured this year.

Rafael Morales and Sarah Manley, who have moved from Brooklyn to San Francisco, were guests of Deena Knopf and David Arnold. A Taste of Cooper Young was "a good way to introduce us to Memphis cuisine," Rafael said.

SRVS with a lot of smiles

Food from area restaurants, wine, art, live music and live and silent auctions were featured at the 10th annual Spirit of SRVS (Shelby Residential & Vocational Services) Auction Affair recently held at the Hilton Memphis.

"Let the Sincerity of Your Love Flow," a commemorative painting by Lori Butler, also was up for bids.

Entertainment was by Eddie Harrison, the Company d dancers and Rickey Frazier.

Petra Rees and Thomas Schmitt were chairmen. Dr. Fred and Ann Wesberry were honorary chairmen.

Art of Caring a masterful benefit

John Robinette, Greely Myatt and Fred Burton are the three artists referred to in the "Memphis Masters" title of the recent Art of Caring reception and silent auction at Perry Nicole Fine Art.

The annual benefit supports Baptist Trinity Hospice and the Kemmons Wilson Center for Good Grief.

Julie Spear was the curator for the show, which featured original work created for this year's event.

Contact Michael Donahue at 529-2797 or e-mail donahue@commercialappeal.com.