Blossom time

A Tennessee Waltz welcomes spring

Published On: May 13, 2010

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Spring had undoubtedly arrived at this year’s A Tennessee Waltz, the State Capitol’s only black-tie event. The extraordinary Craig Peeples assisted the 2010 Waltz co-chairs Joelle and Brant Phillips in transforming the limestone interior to produce a regenerated Waltz.

Under a fading sunset, the gala’s out-of-town guests strolled over to the massive Capitol steps, where the Tennessee Army National Guard stood sentinel-like as the band played the “Tennessee Waltz.”

A veritable Southern garden, showcasing towering branches of every flowering tree held dear down South, sprang forth inside. The building’s monumental windows were swathed with billowing gold damask like a couture ball gown while round dinner tables, draped in pale green silk, held clear vases massed with hydrangeas, gladiolas and orchids.

Host Phil Bredesen, a serious wine aficionado and coveter of Cabernet, commented on the Capitol’s red wine prohibition. He explained: “…I could override that rule, but then someone might stain the marble and 100 years from now, I’d be known as the Governor who destroyed the Capitol!”  In keeping with the spring temperatures, many ladies were bloom-bedecked, including Lois Riggins-Ezzell in an orchid headband and Carolyn Ridley in a floor-length gown artfully strewn with black-and-white flowers. Joelle Phillips sported evening shoes with encrusted blossoms while Colleen Kerrigan’s bronze halter sparkled with flower-like jewels. But the fashion triumph was Bonnie McClellan’s magnificent red dress, its train cradling a bed of fabric rosettes.

The 350 guests seemed ready for spring’s promises. The museum’s new Young Professional Council brought their fresh faces to the final Waltz of the 106th General Assembly and the Bredesen administration. The highlights of the scrumptious Dani Kates-prepared dinner were a Granny Smith apple salad followed by a quintessentially Southern lemon tart—another nod to spring’s abundance. Gary Morris of “Les Miserables” fame sang the signature tune, delivering one of the more romantic renditions of the “Tennessee Waltz’’ ever performed.

Leigh Hendry, directing her 18th gala, encouraged the last guests to pluck a posy from the breathtaking arrangements, which held every flower imaginable from hyacinths and tulips to cherry blossoms and azaleas. What better way to waltz out into the magical night than with a handful of fragrant flowers? Leigh knew that the elegant Capitol, like Cinderella, would, alas, return to its everyday work “clothes” by dawn’s light, ready to meet lawmakers come Monday morning. GH

—photographs by susan adcock