Go Memphis

"Keeping the Thrill Alive" was the theme of the Architects' Party on Friday night at Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects. In their best ghoulish attire, dancers performed Michael Jackson's "Thriller." They came up with the idea to do the dance last May, before Michael's death, said Eva Lynn Bishop, director of special events for the International Children's Heart Foundation, the party's fundraising charity. Full story »

Midnight Saturday. Smoke. Flashing lights. Audience members hold drinks as they crowd close to the stage. Al Kapone raps with his band, which includes a shirtless drummer. Harlan T. Bobo and Two Way Radio performed earlier. Full story »

Just about everything, including a kitchen sink, was included at the recent Memphis Heritage Architectural Auction at Howard Hall. More than 500 items were featured in the auction, which is held every two years to raise money to help save historical landmarks and spaces, said Memphis Heritage executive director June West. Among the items were signs from Libertyland and the Mid-South Fair. Full story »

Tiger fans dressed in blue and gray gathered under blue tents beneath a gray sky Thursday to root for their home team. Harriett and Hilliard Crews opened their majestic Collierville home and grounds for the annual High Tops Party sponsored by the University of Memphis Rebounders. Team members chatted with guests and posed for photos before joining them on the iconic column-lined porch for Blues City Cafe barbecue and all the trimmings. Full story »

Dance met dinner at Connections: Food, the Ballet Memphis fundraiser, Saturday night at BRIDGES Inc. For example, guests watched choreographer Nicole Corea's bluesy "Children of the River" while dining on "Rice Krispy Chicken with Tomato Mustard Jam" by chefs Karen Blockman Carrier and Tim Barker. Full story »

Men in red chef's hats did the cooking at "Cater to You: A Gentleman's Way." The event, recently held at the Memphis Pink Palace Museum, was presented by the Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Full story »

Cort Williams described Shirley Williams as "a beacon in the night." Cort was an organizer along with Andria Lisle, Dan Holloway, Joe Simpson and Scott Rogers of "For The Love of Shirley," a fundraiser for the beloved bartender at Lamplighter Lounge. "She's got some health problems and, you know, sometimes we just need a little extra help from our friends," Andria said. Full story »

Partying Saturday night at Zoo Rendezvous at the Memphis Zoo, Barbara and Kevin Davis reminisced about their wedding, which took place at Zoo Rendezvous 17 years ago. Their first date was at the zoo fundraiser, so they decided to get married there, Barbara said. She wore a leopard-print top and they had a "Beauty and the Beast" wedding cake. Full story »

"How about a 'Go Tigers'?" Dr. Shirley Raines asked guests at the 28th Bank of Bartlett Annual Kickoff Party on Sunday afternoon. The U of M president was among the boosters at the party also known this year as the "U of M Alumni Association True Blue Barn Bash" since the association co-sponsors the event with the bank. The party always is held prior to the first U of M football game of the season. Full story »

Rudy Gay regularly slips in and out of athletic shoes to play in Memphis Grizzlies games, but Saturday night was the first time he ever wore a pair of Nike Jordans with a dress suit. Rudy wore a pair of Air Jordan 11s (his favorite, he said) and Ecko Wray, who was with him, wore pink Chuck Taylors to the 12th Annual SportsBall, a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Memphis. Rudy was the host of this year's event at Minglewood Hall. Full story »

You go to an art museum to view art, right? Saturday night people went to Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to dance, sing karaoke, have their fortunes told, watch a magic show, smoke cigars and view a burlesque show. They also could view "The Prints of Jacob Lawrence." The event was the Avant-Garde Party 2009. Guests, many of whom dressed in 1920s-style attire, were still dancing toward midnight in the rotunda at the annual fundraiser for Brooks. Full story »

Jesse Aron did it his way and took home the first-place title and $2,000 in the Images of the King Elvis tribute artist competition Saturday night at the Holiday Inn Select at Airways and Democrat. Chris Connor from Manchester, England, came in second and Cody Slaughter from Harrison, Ark., and Joseph Hall from Omaha tied for third place. Bobby Simkins from Independence, Mo., was the People's Choice winner. Full story »

Guest artist Miss Brazil-USA 2007 Heloisa Alves sang "Love Me Tender" during the 2009 Face of the World USA fashion show/pageant, a benefit for the International Children's Heart Foundation. Contestants vied for the women's and men's 2009 Face of the World USA titles at the recent event at Minglewood Hall. This was the first year a men's division was included, said the show's founder/promoter/organizer Fernanda Pinheiro. Full story »

Even though he wore a red-and-white jump suit and sang "In the Ghetto" with a back-up chorus of fellow rugby players, Chris "Woody" Woodard didn't win the Mr. Sideburns contest last year at the Elvis 7s rugby tournament. Wearing the same jump suit, Woody competed again this year -- and won. In addition to a "Mr. Sideburns" banner that Larry Magdovitz bestowed on him, Woody won a statue of Elvis wearing a jump suit nearly identical to his. Full story »

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures ranged from 76 to 79 degrees between 9 p.m. Friday and 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. So, guests required to wear white clothing during that time at the "All White Affair" at The Peabody were dressed comfortably. Full story »