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. The party was held on Lt. George W. Lee Ave. and included the Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel and the Gibson Guitar Factory.

BB didn't just stand for Blues Ball this year; B.B. King was presented the Blues Ball Lifetime Achievement Award. He couldn't attend, but he sent a recording expressing his thanks.

Amid a fireworks display from atop FedExForum, the unveiling of the new B.B. King Highway (Third Street, aka U.S. 61) was announced.

The Blues Ball was dedicated to the late Isaac Hayes, a longtime Blues Ball supporter and performer. Guests included Isaac's wife, Adjowa, and daughters Veronica, Nikki and Melanie Hayes.

Isaac's likeness was included on artwork, including several guitars, in a silent auction of "art guitars" -- guitars designed by artists.

Anna Strasberg was high bidder on a red, white and blue guitar by David Simmons. Her husband was Lee Strasberg, founder of the Actors Studio, whose students include the late Paul Newman.

Anna was thrilled to get the guitar titled "America's Got the Blues: A Tribute to Jasper John's American Flag 1954."

"My husband made a speech one time thanking America for giving him his home, and the theater for giving him his identity," Anna said.

She said she was going to put the guitar in her husband's study, which is filled with Americana. "He loved everything American. This is so perfect."

On stage with Priscilla Presley and Mayor Willie Herenton, Pat Kerr Tigrett, the ball's founder and general chairman, was presented a plaque by Gibson Guitars chairman Henry Juszkiewicz.

The mayor described Pat as "a longtime ambassador of Memphis and Memphis music" and "a true pioneer in the evolution of Downtown Memphis."

The plaque was a smaller version of a larger one honoring Pat that will be placed on the Gibson Guitar building.

Sam "The Sham" Samudio summed up the purpose of The Blues Ball: "When you come from this musical culture here, you don't realize the impact Memphis has had on music history and rock and roll in particular. All roads lead to 61, you know, and it's strange 'cause people come from all over the world -- historians and scholars -- looking for the crossroads, not realizing that it's not a geographical location, but is a location of the heart."

Rainbow of fashion for Baddour

"Over the Rainbow" was the theme of The Baddour Center's 29th annual fashion show and luncheon.

The event, held Sept. 22 at the Hilton Memphis, featured the Miracles and The Baddour Mime Team from The Baddour Center in Senatobia.

Fashions were from Cotton Tails, Oak Hall and Gloria's Mother of the Bride in Memphis and Chessie's in Collierville. Babbie Lovett was fashion show commentator. Beverly Massey was fashion show coordinator.

To see party videos and more party pictures, go to gomemphis.com. Contact Michael Donahue at 529-2797 or e-mail donahue@commercialappeal.com