Scenes of the South

The Andaz Hotel hosted their monthly artist salon on July 16th to highlight the Savannah Voice Festival as they embark upon their third season taking place from August 2nd through August 16th. This summertime celebration of Opera, Musical Theater and Song brings classical vocal excellence to the Coastal Empire through concerts, events and educational programs throughout the year. Attendees were treated to several spontaneous serenades by rising opera star, Santiago Ballerini, who captivated the crowd with his amazing vocal talent as he performed fan favorites such as "O, Sole Mio." Guests also enjoyed the opportunity to meet festival director, Maria Zouves along with Opera Legend, Sherrill Milnes, who recently celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Old Savannah Tours conjured up a special 'appearance' by Savannah's famous Irish protestant ghost, Alice Ryley, who is the subject of the self-titled opera commissioned by the Voice Festival to be written about Savannah which will premier October 30th, 2015 at the Charles H. Morris Center. Photos by Diane Dodd

The torrential rain didn't put a damper on the July Martinis at the Mansion event on July 15th, as soaked guests arrived to a packed house at Casimir's Lounge to kick off the Summer Prevention Program Week hosted by the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire. Attendees arrived to the South magazine Red Carpet ready to pose for their close up before dashing off to the bar to order their special $5 martinis and bid on the amazing silent auction prizes available to win. Kesha Gibson-Carter was the RCC host for the evening and presented information on the center's upcoming Art and Sole fundraiser along with details on the prgrams offered during the prevention week. Martinis at the Mansion is a monthly social occasion held on the third Wednesday of each month inside the Mansion on Forsyth Park from 5:30pm until 7:30pm which provides important networking opportunities for business owners, entrepreneurs and neighbors to engage and mingle while learning about a prominent Savannah host who is making a positive impact on the community. The next Martinis event will be held on August 19th at 5:30 pm and will feature the students and faculty from the Blueprint School of Pageantry, a finishing school that teaches youth to "Reign" in life with poise and purpose. Photos by Diane Dodd

A special French-themed Bastille Day event took place on July 14th to celebrate the third anniversary of the Savannah based, Mint Green Tag Sale Company, owned by local entrepreneurs, Cody and April Joy Hetzel. Guests were treated to Bastille Day cake as they raised a champagne toast to the grand opening of the full-service estate company's new office location inside A special French-themed Bastille Day event took place on July 14th to celebrate the third anniversary of the Savannah based, Mint Green Tag Sale Company, owned by local entrepreneurs, Cody and April Joy Hetzel. Guests were treated to Bastille Day cake as they raised a champagne toast to the grand opening of the full-service estate company's new office location inside the Senior Citizen's Inc. building on Bull Street. Guest chefs from the culinary program at Virginia College were busy preparing fresh appetizers for the evening's attendees and Buy Local President, Lori Collins, spoke to the group about the importance of supporting our local businesses and entrepreneurs. Donations of new and used fans were accepted to help senior citizens in our area stay cool during the hot summer months. Photos by Lindsay Clark

Savannah foodies and local neighbors accepted the invitation to join in on the party at the Kayak Kafe Midtown to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of the restaurant's second location in the Medial Arts District on July 8th. The popular downtown eatery resided on Broughton Street for several years before opening its sister location on Paulson Street in July of 2014 much to the excitement of Midtown residents. Guests were treated to an all night Happy Hour, prize giveaways and live music by the Accomplices. Kayak Kafe Midtown offers a full menu of fresh food selections for lunch and dinner along with a full bar, off-site catering and Saturday Brunch. Photos by Lindsay Clark

The Savannah Downtown Business Association hosted their monthly luncheon on July 8th at the Charles H. Morris Center to a sold out crowd of attendees. Guests arrived at 11 am for networking and to browse the member spotlight's before sitting down to lunch prepared by Magnolia Grill Catering . July's guest presenter was Greg Parker, CEO of Parker's convenience stores, who spoke about Savannah's anti-litter campaign and encouraged DBA members to get involved in taking an active role in combating litter in the Hostess City. The DBA meets on the second Wednesday of each month to allow members the opportunity to share their business, meet other members an enjoy a short presentation to provide information about current events, statistic and other important topics of discussion. There will be no DBA luncheon in August but they will resume in September.

More than five hundred guests arrived ready for their close up on June 30th at the Royal Cinemas IMAX theater in Pooler, Georgia at the Magic Mike XXL movie premier. The event was originally planned as an intimate gathering for the extras who were cast in the movie but quickly grew into a Red Carpet affair as word spread. South magazine treated the ladies to a special appearance by local actor, Drew Ater, who makes his film debut as a featured dancer in the highly anticipated sequel.

Over 150 people filled Savannah Smiles on Tuesday, June 23 for a unique Micro Championship Wrestling event. Fans at the sold-out show watched wrestlers go head to head, in and out of the ring, for the Heavy weight championship belt. Dubbed the “greatest little show on earth,” the event had the crowd screaming and laughing throughout the night.

Hundreds of excited competitors came out to the JCB Mud Run and Dig and Ride events on June 20th to test their strength against the elements. Attendees had to endure 100 Degree heat to complete the 5 mile course made up of over 30 obstacles on this hot Savannah afternoon but everyone in attendance had one focus only - Finishing the Race!

A unique combination of tourists and Savannah neighbors gathered together on June 18th at the monthly Artist Salon hosted at the Andaz Hotel Savannah to learn more about the June featured hosts from the Savannah Children's Theater. Guests enjoyed hand-crafted dark and stormy cocktails and select wines from the bar as they devoured the amazing farm-to-fork offerings from 22 Square Chef, Lauren Teague and company, including; hand-stuffed bratwursts, colorful garden potato salad and freshly fried eggplant.

The June Martinis at the Mansion monthly event boasted an enthusiastic crowd of powerhouse professionals, local celebrities and fabulous friends who gathered together at Casimir's Lounge at the 700 Drayton Restaurant on June 17th to raise money for the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism.  Lee…

Over three hundred fearless competitors from around the Coastal Empire joined forces to make their escape from the Chatham County Sheriff's Department's inaugural Jailbreak Mud Run Challenge, hosted by Fleet Feet Sports and sponsored by South magazine. This grueling, 4.2 mile course was designed to test the limits of each participant, consisting of over forty obstacles that were strategically placed throughout the tough, natural terrain that surrounds the Sheriff' complex on Chatham Parkway. Contestants could run as individuals or as a team of four tethered together to race towards the finish and earn their shiny medal along with bragging rights. All proceeds from the Jailbreak Mud Run Challenge go to benefit the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Georgia Sheriff's Asscoiation that was established to give the state's most at-risk children a safe and stable environment needed to become mature, successful adults.

The Whitman Hospitality Group continued its nonprofit fundraiser series at their award-winning Whitman Mansion on Wednesday, June 10th with a special evening to benefit Coastal Pet Rescue. The marketing team from Lesley Francis PR stopped by to share in the delicious appetizers prepared by Chef Bob Vardzel and enjoyed an evening of marketing and community with several area neighbors and business partners. Whitman Wednesdays is a quarterly event designed to raise money for local charities and is hosted by owner, Steve Buckner.

Over one hundred members of the Savannah tourism community joined together on the new Tradewinds Casino Cruise for a special hospitality night fundraiser to benefit America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia on June 9th. Co-hosted by the Tourism and Leadership Council, attendees were encouraged to make a donation to the charity in return for a boarding pass for the reception on the third deck which included a free drink, delicious food and raffle prizes. Guests enjoyed the tropical steel drum music performed by Steel the Show while nibbling on the amazing smoked salmon and duck confit appetizers catered by Virginia College . For many, this was their first visit to the flagship Escapade, which holds up to 500 passengers amongst its three decks. The Casino Cruise sails every day of the week at 6:30 pm except for Mondays and the ship offers two tours on Saturday, complete with Vegas-style action including; coinless slots, Blackjack, Poker and Georgia's only double-sided Roulette wheel.

The Savannah Art Walk concluded its Spring series on June 6th with a finale that featured nineteen galleries in addition to special events and a few surprises along the way. Guests gathered for a gratis wine reception at the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront to meet and greet with the Art Walk artists before strolling to the Tiffani Taylor Gallery to be #SceneBySouth on the Red Carpet. Attendees were invited to stop by the the VIP room on the second floor of the CO Lounge at the Savannah Cocktail Company before visiting E.Shaver Bookseller for a book signing by author, Christina Pruitt. The group reconvened on the terrace at the Andaz Hotel for the concluding wine pour and raffle drawing. The Savannah Art Walk will begin its Fall series on September 12th as it moves to the second Saturday of each month.

Southbound Brewing Company and Jon Waits and Company teamed up on June 6th to host a summer time kick-off party that rocked the house with a fun afternoon of Brews and Tunes that featured an incredible line up of music from local and touring bands along with special guest brewers that included Art Rise Savannah, Foxy Loxy and Wild Wing Cafe . Guests enjoyed special brews such as the "Tipsy Critic" while jamming out to music from bands such as the Georgia Mountain Spring Band and Black Water Choir. Southbound Brewing Company and Jon Waits and Company teamed up on June 6th to host a summer time kick-off party that rocked the house with a fun afternoon of Brews and Tunes that featured an incredible line up of music from local and touring bands along with special guest brewers that included Art Rise Savannah, Foxy Loxy and Wild Wing Cafe . Guests enjoyed special brews such as the "Tipsy Critic" while jamming out to music from bands such as the Georgia Mountain Spring Band and Black Water Choir.

The stars came out to shine at the award-winning First Friday Art March on June 5th, featuring eighteen locations throughout the Savannah Victorian and Starland districts. The free Old Savannah Tours trolley transported marchers to a variety of galleries, shops and restaurants and this month's event showcased several new stops; including 13 Bricks Clothing, Kathi Rich and the newly opened Starlandia Creative Supply and Chef Darin's Kitchen Table. The Art March is a program of Art Rise Savannah.

The William Jay Society hosted their Annual Garden Party fundraiser at the historic Owens-Thomas House on June 3rd. Nearby neighbors 17Hundred90 Restaurant joined the society to host the event to help raise money for the young professionals arm of the Telfair Museums' family tree. Several donors provided raffle prizes for the guests, who were happily sipping on Mojitos and Dark and Stormys provided by Tony Chase from the newly opened Daufuski Island Rum Company. The mission of the WJS is to promote the Telfair Museum's goals and its commitment to developing awareness, understanding and appreciation of art.

Savannah gallery owner and local artist, Tiffani Taylor was invited to share her story with the members and guests of the Savannah College of Art and Design Success Club on May 19th about her humble beginnings in Utah to her studies at SCAD and on to how she built her business organically, with hard work and perseverance. Photographer, William Levitt and videographer, Labeeb Abdullah, were in attendance at the event, which had a primary focus on philanthropy and charity work. Ms. Taylor spoke from the heart about the Tiffani Taylor Scholarship Fund and concluded with her most recent creation, The Savannah Art Walk, which next takes place on Saturday, June 4th.