Scenes of the South

A Red Carpet Grand Opening celebration was hosted by South magazine on April 13th to celebrate the grand opening of the new, Milan Esthetics Spa in Pooler, the long-awaited second location to the regionally renowned, Milan Day Spa on Broughton Street. Pooler Mayor, Mike Lamb, was in attendance to welcome the new business to the community and guests were able to tour the new facility while enjoying live music and sipping on champagne. Photos by Lindsey Clark at Lorien Studios

More than seventy participants gathered at the Top Deck Bar inside the Cotton Sail Hotel to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Savannah Art Walk on April 9th. Presented by the Tiffani Taylor Gallery and Heej Chung Art and Designs, the second Saturday walk began with an opening reception where participants enjoyed the beautiful view while sipping on refreshing sangria and mingling with featured local artists and authors. Following the opening reception, guests could hop on board the free Old Savannah Tours Trolley to make their way throughout the locations on the map. The group reconvened at the Andaz Hotel for a finale reception and wine pour complete with raffle drawings and prizes. Photos by Krystal Oblinger

Men and Women of all shapes, sizes and ages enjoyed putting on their favorite pair of high heeled shoes at the 3rd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, hosted by the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire on April 7th. Participants met at the Forsyth Park Band shell and walked the one-mile lap around the park in their heels to raise money and awareness to end violence against women. Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

This past Tuesday Kendra Scott Jewelry invited the Savannah community to enjoy a fun evening of bubbly, baubles, sweets, and treats to help raise awareness and money for those battling blood cancers. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the event went towards Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the Women of the Year Campaign of Shannon Hunt. Photos by Lindsey Clark with Lorien Studios

I. Gregory Hodges and William J. Hunter, Trial Lawyers at Oliver Maner, LLP., presented the 3rd Annual Shot in the Dark Sporting Clay Tournament on Saturday, April 2nd to benefit the Savannah Center for the Blind and Low Vision. Hosted at Forest City Gun Club, each four person team received one hundred clays, cart and lunch and enjoyed a fun day of networking and fundraising for a good cause. ​Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

Thousands of women from around the country hit the road the first weekend in April to participate in the 2nd Annual Publix Savannah​ Women's Half Marathon and 5k Race. Runners enjoyed the scenic 13.1 mile course that began at Forsyth Park and navigated through the Historic, Victorian District and into the Arsdsley Park subdivision toward Daffin Park before heading back to the Historic District and finishing at the Forsyth Fountain. The post-race party was hosted immediately following the race, featuring food vendors, prizes, awards and live music performed by A Nickel Bag of Funk. ​Photos by Krystal Oblinger

The first annual Better Block Savannah Event was hosted by the Savannah Developmental Renewal Authority on April 1st in conjunction with the 50th Consecutive First Friday Art March hosted by Art Rise Savannah. The weather played a major factor in the day's activities and held out until 6pm allowing the pop up business and local experiences to make their presentations for several hours before the rain poured in. The free Old Savannah Tours trolley transported participants to the designated locations throughout the Starland District, extending from 41st and Bull Street to Hall and Drayton at the Mansion on Forsyth Park. The First Friday Art March Savannah ia hosted each month with the next event taking place ont he 6th of May as a Mega Art March that encompasses galleries within the Historic District. ​Photos by Lindsey Clark from Lorien Studios

An exclusive list of clients, friends and neighbors were invited to celebrate the 60th Anniversary JE Dunn Construction Company, at their new office location on Drayton Street in the Historic District. Founded in Kansas City in 1924 by John Ernest Dunn, what began as a small family-run residential contractor has grown into one of the top general building contractors in the country. ​Photos by Lindsey Clark from Lorien Studios

Business owners and professionals from around the community joined together in Ellis Square on March 30th to welcome the newest addition to the Savannah Tourism community at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Indigo Hotel Historic District. Guests at the open house enjoyed delicious breakfast offerings accompanied by an exclusive Pecan blend of locally sourced, Savannah Coffee Roasters, before making their way to outside to hear a presentation by General Manager, Kellie Linder, who cut the ribbon with the help of members of Visit Savannah and the Chamber of Commerce. Staying true to its nature as a part of the global IHG Hotel Indigo Brand, the Savannah property was uniquely designed to reflect the culture, character and history of the surrounding neighborhood, promising to deliver a refreshing and inviting guest experience reflective of the local community. ​Photos by Lindsey Clark from Lorien Studios

Thousands of excited children and their parents gathered together at Grayson Stadium on March 26th to attend the 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Life Bridge Church. The largest Easter Egg hunt in Savannah required the help of more than ninety volunteers from around the community and featured twenty thousand plastic eggs filled with candy hidden across the stadium field for the kids to hunt. Families enjoyed meeting the Easter Bunny while playing games and participating in other fun activities. ​Photos by Lindsey Clark from Lorien Studios

Savannah Auction Exchange hosted their One Year Anniversary Celebration on March 26th with a food drive for the Bloomingdale Food Bank. Guests enjoyed performance by country musician Josh Sanders, a wine tasting by Johnnie Ganem in addition to Easter-themed appetizers, door prizes and a special Saturday Antiques Auction. Locally owned and operated by Michael Lee Wedingcamp, Savannah Auction Exchange is located on HWY 80 in Bloomingdale, offering a weekly auction of antiques and household goods every Tuesday beginning at 5pm. ​Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

More than eighty business members and guests packed the house at the Pirate's House Restaurant on March 24th to attend the monthly Buy Local Savannah luncheon featuring special guest speaker, Mayor Eddie DeLoach. As President and Owner of Tidewater Landscape Management, DeLoach has been a member of the organization for many years and spoke to the audience about his past experiences in business and how it has paved the foundations for his plans to run the city of Savannah. Photos by Jason Smith of St. Julien Photography

Local Savannah Firefighters joined together with fireman from all around the country at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum on March 18th to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day Fireman's Ball. Guests were treated to an open bar, delicious hors d'oeuvres, silent auction and live music performed by Continental Divide. Hosted annually by the Savannah Professional Firefighter's Association on the Friday following Saint Patrick's Day, this popular event is a favorite among local residents and proceeds from the 2016 ball went to benefit the Fallen Firefighter's Fund and Paws for a Cause. Photos by Jason Smith ​with St. Julien Photography

Hundreds of thousands of first time visitors and returning guests lined the streets of the Savannah Landmark Historic District on March 17th to witness the 192nd Annual Savannah Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Ranked as the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States, the procession began promptly at 10:15 am leaving from the staging area located one block from Forsyth Park on East Gwinnett and makes its way down Abercorn Street before turning East on Broughton and then traveling North to Bay to wrap back around to Bull Street to head South and conclude at Madison Square just past the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee Headquarters on Liberty Street. Following the parade, attendees could enjoy a variety of festivities held on River Street and City Market that continue until Sunday, March 20th. Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

South magazine and the Mansion on Forsyth Park welcomed guests to the monthly Martinis at the Mansion event on March 16 to raise money and awareness for the 24th Annual Savannah Kiss a Pig Campaign to benefit the American Diabetes Association of SE Georgia and South Carolina. Guests enjoyed St. Patrick's Day giveaways in addition to five dollar martini specials and raffle prizes that included donations from Grand Garages, Kendra Scott Savannah, Cool Savannah Tours and Gifts, Old Savannah Tours, Jalapenos' Mexican Restaurant and 700 Drayton Restaurant. Martinis at the Mansion is hosted on the third Wednesday of each month at Casimir's Lounge inside of 700 Drayton Restaurant with the next event scheduled for April 20th hosted by the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire. Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

The Savannah Art Walk returned to the Historic District on Saturday, March 12th, welcoming a variety of first time visitors and return guests to the popular self-guided tour. The Tiffani Taylor Gallery hosted the opening reception where attendees could meet a few of the artists and learn more about their individual galleries before taking off to visit the locations on the map by way of foot or on board the free Old Savannah Tours Trolley. At the end of the walk, participants reconvened at the Andaz Hotel for a finale reception and raffle prizes that included prizes donated by many of the SAW galleries and a tenth anniversary gift bag for South magazine. Presented by the Tiffani Taylor Gallery and Heej Chung Art and Designs, the Savannah Art Walk takes place on the second Saturday of the month with the next event taking place on April 9th. Photos by Krystal Oblinger

Hundreds turned out to Forsyth Park on Friday, March 11 to witness the annual Greening of the Fountain event hosted by the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Committee. Conducted for more than thirty years, this popular celebration signals the official kick-off to the Saint Patrick's Day Festivities in Savannah, attracting locals and visitors from around the world to watch the green dye being poured into the historic fountain. Third-grader, Evan Burns, was the winner of WTOC's St. Patrick's Day coloring contest and won the grand prize of helping the committee members and their families turn the fountain green. Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

Hundreds of chamber members and friends flocked to Tubby's Tankhouse in Thunderbolt on March 11th to shuck away the afternoon at the 17th Annual Oyster Roast Business Connection hosted by the Savannah Chamber of Commerce. Guests took advantage of the beautiful Spring weather and packed the outdoor porch and bar to enjoy cocktails, seafood and world-famous chicken fingers provided by the original Spanky's on River Street, who are celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2016. Photos by Jason Smith with St. Julien Photography

Members of the Savannah community dressed up in their best Hollywood Glam to celebrate one hundred years of the historic Bull Street Library at the Hooray For Hollywood Gala. Presented by The Live Oak Libraries Foundation, this elegant affair to remember featured cocktails, a silent auction with exclusive prizes, entertainment from the era by Enchant my Party and heavy hors d'oeuvres by Creative Catering. The annual Library Gala helps the Foundation raise money to support programs and services throughout their nineteen libraries, spanning three counties. Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography

A diverse audience of music lovers arrived to the Lucas Theatre on March 5th to enjoy the debut collaboration between "Gypsy Jazz" ensemble, Velvet Caravan, and the classical Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra. In one of the most-anticipated performances of 2016, Velvet Caravan acted as "soloists" backed by the Philharmonic, performing an eclectic mix of music including; Johnny Mercer tunes, Brahms, Django Reinhardt classics and original Velvet Caravan tunes. Photos by Jason Smith with St. Julien Photography

A distinguished group of six talented bartenders gathered together at Cotton & Rye on February 28th for an opportunity to show off their skills and create their signature Manhattan cocktail at the Woodford Reserve Annual Bartender Competition. Applicants were invited to submit two original recipes using Woodford Reserve bourbon and could also enter an optional written component to discuss the significance of the Manhattan in today's cocktail landscape. Savannah's winner, Cody Henson from The Grey, won an all-expense paid trip to the Woodford Reserve Distillery where he will find out if he advances to the finale event to receive a feature on Liquor.com and a trip to San Francisco for a photo and video shoot. Applicants will be asked to submit two original recipes using Woodford Reserve bourbon. Photos by Jason Smith with St. Julien Photography

Motorcycle lovers and friends gathered together at the Harley-Davidson dealership on on February 27th to heat the streets and gear up for the famous Daytona Bike week, coming up in March. Guests enjoyed free food, drinks and raffle prizes in addition to biker games and a custom tailer on site to sew patches onto all of those leather jackets or just take care of alteration needs. The first thirty one people to arrive at the celebration received a free Harley-Davidson Savannah pin to help commemorate the occasion.

Hundreds of Telfair Museums members and guests headed to the Telfair Academy on February 27th to attend the highlight event of the Savannah's social scene at the 36th Annual Telfair Ball. Open for members of the Telfair Director's Circle and their guests, the ball is considered to be the city's premier gala and also serves as the museum's largest fundraiser, with proceeds going to benefit the exceptional exhibitions, educational programs and acquisitions available at the Telfair. Guests enjoyed a luminous evening that began with a cocktail reception and silent auction in the Telfair Academy Sculpture Gallery followed by an exciting live auction hosted in the Rotunda before concluding with an elegant seated dinner at the Jepson Center in honor of its tenth anniversary. At the conclusion of the ball, the Telfair Bash takes over where guests were treated to cocktails, silent auction and dancing to the music of featured band, Yacht Rock Schooner. Photos by Jason Smith with St. Julien Photography

National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend kicked off at Savannah Coffee Roasters on February 26th at the official judging for the Culinary Cookie Competition hosted by the Historic Girl Scouts of Georgia. Twenty local area restaurants, cafes, and eateries were tasked with creating either a sweet or savory dish by using Girl Scout Cookies as an ingredient in the recipe. A panel of judges,including celebrity Top Chef Hugh Acheson, were hand-picked to taste the entries and select their favorites which will account for 60% of the vote, while the community will visit the participating restaurants over the weekend and try the dishes to determine 40% of the vote. The judges chose the winners based on presentation, taste and creativity giving Savannah Coffee Roasters first place for their beautiful Iced TiraMisu, followed by The Florence Restaurant in second place and the Pirate's House coming in third. Photos by Tracy Scarpati with Cool Savannah Photography