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Another year has come and gone, but we couldn’t bid 2017 adieu without honoring the best parties of the year. Our writers and readers alike have been reflecting back on the biggest and brightest moments of the past 12 months, and what a year it was! From laughing with Shaq to dancing with Steven Tyler to celebrating the birth of Andrew Jackson, there was something to delight everyone on Nashville’s social scene. Keep reading to find out what events stood out to our readers, what details impressed our writers and whether or not your favorites made the list. by Nancy Floyd, Holly Hoffman, Geert De Lombaerde and Megan Seling
READERS’ CHOICE B e st Pa rty 1. Symphony Fashion Show 5 2. One Night Only 3. Conservancy Gala and Ballet Ball (TIE)
M ost F u n Party 1. One Night Only 7 2. Gentlemen’s Christmas Breakfast 3. Conservancy Gala and Ballet Ball (TIE)
M ost I n spi re d C o- c h a i r Te am 1. Shaun Inman and Sheila Shields (Symphony Fashion Show) 2 2. Beth Courtney and Mara Papatheodorou (Conservancy Gala) 3. Charlotte Goldston and Trish Munro (One Night Only)
Be st Au c tio n I te m 1. Trip to NYC with Matt Logan (One Night Only) 2. L ive painting by artist (Dinner on the Bridge) 3. Breakfast with Megan Barry (Taste)
B e st Favo r 1. Beehive honey pot with honey (Conservancy Gala) 2. Bridge tea towel (Dinner on the Bridge) 3. Commemorative book (Sunday in the Park) B e st D e c o rat i on s 1. Ballet Ball 4 2. One Night Only 3. l’Eté du Vin
B e st E ntertain ment 1. Eden Espinosa (One Night Only) 2. F isk Jubilee Singers (Ballet Ball and Conservancy Gala) 3. Steven Tyler (Symphony Ball) B e st Wo men’s E vent 1. Symphony Fashion Show 2. Power of the Purse 3. Friends & Fashion
Best Sp ec ial G u est 1. Steven Tyler (Symphony Ball) 6 2. Zac Posen (Symphony Fashion Show) and Renée Fleming (Oz Chairman’s Choice) (TIE) 3. Steve Inskeep (Hermitage Gala) Best Ch ildren’s E vent 1. All Booked Up (Junior League) 2. Family Day at Oz (Oz Arts Nashville) 3. P icnic at the Library (Nashville Public Library) Best Dressed Party G u e s t 1. Clare Armistead 2. Milton White Craz iest/F u nniest/Best Sigh t at a Party 1. President Jackson showing up for his 250th birthday 3 2. Seesaw at Conservancy Gala 3. Sabering a 9-liter Schramsberg Champagne at l’Eté du Vin
B e s t A n im al- C e n tr i c E ve n t 1. Art for Animals 2. Sunset Safari 3. Cause for Paws B e s t Cate r e r 1. Kristen Winston 2. Johnny Haffner 3. G Catering B e s t E ve n t P l an n e r 1. Amos Gott 2. Jayne Bubis 3. Hugh Howser B e s t E ve n t V e n u e 1. Schermerhorn Symphony Center 2. Oz Arts Nashville 3. Cheekwood
WRITERS’ CHOICE M ost Tou chi n g T ri but e
Jane Dudley Dedication
In June, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens recognized Jane Dudley — the founder, two-time chair and honorary chair of the Swan Ball and an honorary Board of Trust member — for her perennial commitment to the historic estate. Following the heartfelt dedication of the Jane Anderson Dudley Grand Staircase and Balcony, past Swan Ball chairs surrounded the honoree for a group photo at the base of the newly named stairwell, which
now serves as a constant, touching reminder of the benevolent lady we lost this year. Holly Hoffman Be st B last fro m th e Past
the crowd over in no time, inspiring everyone to wave their candles from side to side when he closed out the show with “Right Here Waiting.” Nancy Floyd 1
Richard Marx at Stars for Wishes
Mo st Su c c essfu l Make ove r
Wherever you go, whatever you do, Stars for Wishes will be right here waiting for you. The star-studded fundraiser for Make-A-Wish had ladies swaying in the audience and singing along with 2017’s headliner, Richard Marx. The singer — best known for his romantic ’80s ballads — won
After more than 30 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee decided it was time to give its signature event, the Harvest Moon Ball, a makeover. They opted for a more casual vibe by dropping “ball” from the name and moving to the
Harvest Moon
crowd-pleasing Loveless Barn. The many enthusiastic attendees, who filled the barn wearing sporty jackets and jeans, enjoyed fare from The Loveless Cafe and dancing to Super T Revue, proving the plan was a huge success. Holly Hoffman B e s t B i parti s an G ath e r i n g
Gentlemen’s Christmas Breakfast On one of the first truly cold days of late 2017, there was plenty of warmth from both sides of the aisle at Shaun and Gordon Inman’s Franklin home, continued on page 24
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