Photo by Michael Donahue // Buy this photo
Memphis Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet (left), Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo attended the first Grizz Gala on Saturday at the Gold Strike Casino.
Instead of shorts, sweat socks and sneakers, Memphis Grizzlies players got to wear suits, fashionable hosiery and dress shoes to the first Grizz Gala on Saturday night at Gold Strike Casino Resort.
The party, which featured music, dancing, food, interactive games and the chance to meet Grizzlies players, was a fundraiser for the Memphis Grizzlies House at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Asked when was the last time he dressed up so much, O.J. Mayo said, "The high school prom."
Live auction items included the chances to dance with Rudy Gay and Mike Conley.
Asked if being included in the auction was intimidating, Rudy said, "I've been practicing all month for this." The high bid for Rudy was $1,300. Tanya Matthews was his dance partner.
Mike said he wasn't nervous about the dancing, but, he said, "It's intimidating that somebody bid more for Rudy than me." The high bid for Mike was $750. Alex Tievy was his dance partner.
Country music legend Charley Pride was among the guests. "I have a lot of friends here at Gold Strike," he said. "I played at Sam's Town when they first started opening up here."
Greg Campbell, Memphis Grizzlies president of business operations, said the event was a way "for fans to get to know the players."
And, he added, "We are definitely doing this every year. We're going to commit to St. Jude like we have for the 10-year deal on the Grizzlies House. We're actually broadening that and doing more and more with St. Jude every single day."
Metal art
Guests listened to music by Jump Back Jake and dined on barbecue and other cuisine at the "Metal in Memphis" opening reception Thursday evening at Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
The exhibit featured work by artists Jacob Brown, Kevin Burge, Andy Dohner, Mary Catherine Floyd, Jim Masterson and Jeannie Tomlinson Saltmarsh.
Not all the metal was under glass cases; Eleanor Scott wore some metal jewelry she made as a student back in in the 1950s at the old Memphis Academy of Art. She attended with her daughter, Keitha Scott.
Crystal Ball
"The Wizard of Oz" was the theme of this year's Crystal Ball Gala. Celebrating the 10th year of the gala, the title of the recent event benefiting the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi was "The Year of the Ten Man." Past recipients of the Crystal Ball and Community Star awards were honored.
Also honored were the 2009 Community Stars: Business of the Year: South Group-Brown & Haynes Insurance of Southaven; Nonprofit of the Year: Charleston Arts and Revitalization Efforts from Charleston, Miss.; Woman of the Year: Beatrice Peace, chairman of the Tunica County Literacy Council; and Man of the Year: Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson.
Steve and Lisa Beene were event chairmen. Tom Pittman is foundation president.
Contact Michael Donahue at 529-2797 or e-mail donahue@commercialappeal.com
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