Calling all princesses!  Does your little one love playing dress up in beautiful gowns and glittering tiaras?  Is she dreaming of meeting her favorite Disney princess?  We have the perfect excuse to treat your sweet girl to a magical tea party.  Once Upon A Fairytale: A Mother Daughter Princess Tea, will take place in The South Warehouse in downtown Jackson on Sunday, October 18.  The precious event will help raise money for Eagle’s Nest Children’s Home in Guatemala, helping to send its young residents to school! 

Founder Jenny Blount says, “God used adoption to build our family and it has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.” After adopting her child, Jenny felt pulled to help children in countries where adoption is not an option.  Guatemala is not open for adoption, so most of the children at Eagle’s Nest Children’s Home live there until they turn 18.  Jenny says, “A solid education is incredibly valuable in preparing them for adulthood.  The goal of our event is to raise enough money to send every child at Eagle’s Nest to school for an entire year!”

At Once Upon A Fairytale, tiny guests will mingle with six live princesses (including Cinderella!), sip tea and lemonade, and enjoy a delicious three-course afternoon tea menu, provided by Fresh Cut Catering. 

Prior to the tea, a limited number of spots will be available for little girls to have their hair and makeup done by professionals from Tangles Salon!  A boutique appointment costs an additional $10 per child.

What a memorable experience for young girls and their mothers!  Tea times are at 1:00 p.m. and at 4:00 p.m. and remember, princess costumes are highly encouraged!!  

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.fairytaleprincesstea.com! 

Today celebrates the 90th birthday of a legend.  Riley "B.B." King was born in Mississippi on September 16, 1925.  Though he passed into eternity on May 14 of this year, his Blues and his warm spirit live on.  

David Rahaim of The Iron Horse Grill says, "We remember and honor B.B. King for his altruism, good cheer, wonderful work ethic, and most of all for his music, a wonderful gift we will treasure forever."

Mr. King's Blues continue to inspire musicians and music lovers throughout the world, and the Iron Horse Grill in downtown Jackson has opened an incredible new Mississippi Music Experience, dedicated to our state, the birthplace of America's music.

"Guests will make their way through decades of Mississippi music history while learning more about favorite artists like B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett, Bo Diddly, Robert Johnson, Honeyboy Edwards, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Tommy Johnson through informative placards, signed memorabilia, iconic instruments, & classic concert videos," says Rahaim.

The free museum is in the heart of downtown Jackson, and guests will surely be amazed by the extraordinary impact Mississippi has had on the world of music. 

"These exhibits are highlighted by life-size & life-like wax statues of the musicians hand-crafted by award-winning local master doll maker Anne Robin Luckett," says Rahaim.  "The stunning statues include 'The Singing Brakeman' Jimmie Rodgers, Jaimoe seated at his famous drum kit, Pinetop Perkins at his piano, & even an epic interaction between The King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley and the Sith Lord Darth Vader."

The Iron Horse Grill is an iconic building in Jackson.  Rahaim says, "Once ravaged by time and the elements the 1906 Armour Smokehouse has been rebuilt with appreciation for its historic aesthetic and updated for 21st century sensibilities."  The Iron Horse Grill is a warm and cozy haunt, filled with wood, red brick and leather.  "The original Iron Horse chef, Pierre Pryer, is the heart of the wood-fire kitchen and has a commitment to consistently delicious food.  He still prepares his popular signature dishes just as he did during the restaurant's first incarnation." 

The Iron Horse Grill:  the perfect spot for a drink after work, a delicious meal, and a place to honor Mississippi's talented musicians.  Joseph Simpson adds, "We decided to create the Mississippi Music Experience in the Iron Horse Grill partnering with the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame to tell our State's story and hopefully be a jumping off point for tourism.  Fly into our Capital City, eat great food, listen to great music, learn about the history, and then travel and see it for yourself." 

For more information on The Iron Horse Grill, please visit their website here! 

“People always asked me what I wanted to do with my life, and I honestly never really knew.  When I got to college, I decided to major in Chemistry with the idea that I would go to medical school,” reflects Chase Richardson.  “But by my junior year, I realized I did not want to go to medical school.  That same year I received my first DSLR camera for Christmas.”

The camera changed everything.  Taking photos of friends and family and documenting life through his lens quickly became a passion for Chase.  “Social media fueled that fire because everyone always wants something to show when they’ve done something cool.  I started photographing events at school and just carrying my camera around with me.”  Chase began posting his photographs on Facebook, and offers came pouring in.  Chase was asked to shoot head shots, events, and eventually, his first wedding in 2012. 

Chase laughs, “Looking back from where I am now, I realized I had very little clue as to what I was doing!  But one thing I took away from that first wedding was that I really enjoyed photographing something that was real.  The emotions on a wedding day are oftentimes high and all over the place – and are usually completely authentic.  I liked that.”

Chase worked in the Public Relations Department at Mississippi College for two years and shot weddings on the side.  One day, he received an incredible offer.  Robby Followell of Followell Fotography asked Chase if he was interested in becoming an associate photographer with his company. Chase says with awe, “Even today I would say Robby is the best photographer in Mississippi, so naturally I was (probably overly) eager to get the chance to learn from him and be part of his business.”  Chase joined Robby and his wife, Jessica, in June of 2014, and the partnership has been extraordinary.  Chase laughs, “I’m booked for 30 weddings in 2015 and already booking for 2016 as well.  It’s been crazy how quickly things have progressed since joining Robby and Jess!”

Robby says, “Chase is super talented and was, literally, the perfect person to give us the opportunity to grow.”  Business is booming, thanks to the incredibly talented trio behind Followell Fotography.  “Robby and Jess are special people.  Robby has a lot of wisdom about a lot of things extending way beyond the realm of photography, and Jess is one of the kindest, most considerate people you will ever meet,” says Chase.  “They welcomed me in and treated me like I had been a part of the business all along.”

For more information on Followell Fotography, and to view more of their lovely photographs, please visit their website here!

Blue Magnolia Films is embarking on an extraordinary journey throughout Mississippi.  Founded in 2013 by Alison Fast and Chandler Griffin, the documentary film company celebrates small towns, and the people and projects that are powering a new culture of the South. They are traveling the state, sitting down with Mississippians, and beautifully sharing their stories.

“Our logo, the Mississippi magnolia tree, symbolizes the renewal of deeply held values, passed down through generations.  Through storytelling, we create more resilient, connected communities,” says Alison.  She adds, “Our goal is to produce well-crafted stories, celebrate the people in them, and deliver them back to the communities from where they came.” 

Today, we are pleased to share more about Blue Magnolia Films through the eyes of its brilliant founders, Alison and Chandler:

Tell us the history behind Blue Magnolia Films.  What inspired you to start the company?
Alison: “We started Blue Magnolia Films in 2013 after ten years of teaching documentary filmmaking in the Mississippi Delta, in Clarksdale. We have 100 films and photo stories about that community, produced by our students through Barefoot Workshops. We wanted to expand our documentaries to other small towns, and do something special for Mississippi's Bicentennial in 2017. Natalie Irby of Corner To Corner Productions, immediately got on board with this vision, and together we are producing a series of films that will celebrate people who are modeling revitalization from a small town perspective across the state. Our goal is to produce 25 short films that we will tour back through 50 small towns and communities in 2017. These are personal stories of everyday people modeling a new culture of the South. Wherever we highlight challenges, we're also highlighting resilience and creative solutions.”

 

Tell us a little bit about both of your backgrounds!  Are you both from Mississippi?  Do you both have experience in the film industry? 
Alison: “I have lived in Los Angeles for 15 years, and have a history producing documentaries for television. After working at MTV for three years, I directed my first film for NBC/Universal and won a Peabody Award. After meeting Chandler in 2006, we traveled full-time teaching internationally in the Middle East and Africa. We learned a lot about how to adapt media to different contexts, to empower people and their communities. We decided to bring all of that experience back to Mississippi, to tell a story here, about what is working, instead of what is not working. We want to make visible people in small towns who are connecting local assets in new ways, and showing us how to bring life to our communities. That's who we want to celebrate, the people who are rolling up their sleeves, making things happen, taking risks, and bringing their community with them.”

Chandler: “I was born and raised in Jackson, MS.  I went to college in Savannah, GA, where I double majored in film and photography.  I always assumed I’d be a cinematographer making feature length fiction films based in NYC.  In school, my photography was definitely in the realm of fine art using a large format camera and alternative printing processes.  My filmmaking focus was mastering the craft of ‘painting with light’ and shooting on 16mm film.  For the most part, I was that guy who only shot with a 4x5 or 8x10 big wooden photo camera and I only shot with an Arri SRII 16mm film camera.  I definitely felt that ‘real’ craft only came from using those traditional tools.  My senior year, I was the cinematographer for a short film that ended up getting shortlisted for an Oscar nomination... so I figured my path was set.  Two years later, I went to Zimbabwe and that totally shifted my attention to the power and importance of the documentary process.  I don’t think I’ve looked back since.  For the most part, I’ve stayed away from the mainstream ‘film industry’ but I’ve shot for everything from PBS National to the Ford Foundation.”  

Tell us about the subjects of your films!
Alison:  “Whether our subjects are artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs or community leaders, they are deeply engaged in learning by doing, and leading by example. We focus on people who are catalysts, who show us diverse ways to support economic and cultural revitalization. I've started to call people in our films ‘Yaysayers,’ in stark contrast to ‘Naysayers,’ because they don't take 'No' for an answer. They keep adapting until they get it right! And we admire this quality. There is no formula for revitalization. It looks different in every town. Some of our stories focus on health and wellness and farm-to-table, others on racial reconciliation, arts and culture. The point is, we can all do something where we live, and we learn best from our neighbors, our peers. So, this series of films is meant to expand a circle of support, and working solutions, especially in rural areas.”

 Tell us about the process of creating one of your documentaries - from finding the subject, to filming and editing the piece.  
Alison:  “Finding a subject. We are usually in conversation with someone, talking about this movement of creatives in small towns in Mississippi, and they will say, ‘Have you heard about X?  He/She is related to Y’ and we make the connection. There is a natural intelligence to the stories we tell, and a handful of people in small towns who are key influences. We also consult statewide actors like Mississippi Main Street and Office of Creative Economy and Culture. We are also exploring a research and data based approach. We factor all of this into our decisions, along with other indicators: Is the story adaptable, affordable and accessible to people in small towns?  How does it balance the other stories? There is no ‘right’ answer. We consider ourselves curators of a ‘living narrative’ that is unfolding in front of our eyes.”

What is your favorite thing about filming in Mississippi?
Alison:  “The unpredictable magic of place. Mississippi leads. We listen.” 

Chandler:  “My stock story is that I left Mississippi for college and vowed to never return.  Like most who feel this way, it’s because I didn’t really understand Mississippi.  I had a VERY narrow view of the state and the people.  The documentary process has given me the chance to start to understand where I come from and why I had those feelings of not wanting to be from Mississippi.  When you meet people and really start to listen…  it’s fascinating.  You can’t NOT understand and start to love a place like Mississippi when you have the experience of story.  The camera has become an excuse to listen and learn   ---  Ernest Herndon in his canoe on the Pascagoula River witnessing the beauty of place.  Seeing his paddle dribble dots of water across a mirrored sunset surface and hearing him talk about the sacredness of place and how we should respect and take care of the river. Then filming a racially mixed group in Money, MS a few weeks ago, through the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, stand hand in hand to honor Emmett Till sixty years after his murder.  Watching Johnson Benjamin, a twenty something entrepreneur in Corinth, start a new business of making hand crafted bags that are, well bags, but really they are crafted pieces of art that your grandchildren eventually inherit.  Hearing how his father and grandfather both worked in the garment industry in Hill Country, Mississippi and how he is continuing a legacy of craft.  Last year we filmed a Japanese woman, Reiko Yamada, living in Water Valley who took a broken accordion and used it as a way to interact with the community.  On paper, it seems completely absurd but when you watch the film, it’s absolutely brilliant to witness this outsider become a part of the fabric that holds a community together.  It becomes an emotional process to see the diversity in Mississippi.  We have example after example of those stories and those people and experiences start to shift and change how you see everything.”

How do you think your films can change people's perspective on Mississippi and the South? 
Alison: “A lot of news and documentaries reinforce negative stereotypes about the South. We can ‘flip’ the story by telling a new story, and engaging communities in reclaiming their narrative. Sometimes, our most valuable ‘assets’ are in our backyard, and we just need to learn to see them in new ways.” 

Thank you, Alison and Chandler, for sharing your incredible photos and videos with us.  We cannot wait to view your powerful documentaries in 2017! For more information on Blue Magnolia Films, please visit their Facebook page here.  You can also follow them on Instagram!  @bluemagnoliafilms

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}

Mississippi's most beautiful interior design showroom is celebrating a decade of impeccable style!  The SummerHouse staff says they are "as passionate about helping our clients as we are about design and beautiful things."  We concur.  We reached out to the warm, creative and richly talented staff, and asked them why they love working at SummerHouse!

"The atmosphere at SummerHouse is so positive! It makes it easy coming to work everyday and being able stay productive. I am very blessed to have the work family that I have in my life!"  Mary Courtney Johns (interior designer)

"SummerHouse has the ability to be whatever the client needs....as much help or as little help as they need.  We focus on client experiences and want the client to have the best experience no matter what they need." Todd Prince (interior designer)

"Being a SummerHouse designer is an incredibly challenging and therefore rewarding experience. We have great resources at our disposal and extremely educated clientele that stay current on design trends. They come to us with a high level of expectations. I love continually being pushed outside of my design comfort zone and being able to fulfill not only our customer's needs but give them a very personal design experience!"  Elish Moon ( interior designer)

"I have worked at SummerHouse for almost 4 years.  I love the feeling of 'family' that I receive from the owner and all of the employees.  Also, I love being able to look at all of the beautiful furniture and accessories everyday.  It's like Christmas all year round!!"  Stacy Bunch (Assistant business office manager)

"SummerHouse makes me so happy! I love walking into work and seeing my coworkers. I don’t know what I would do without my SummerHouse family! The atmosphere up here is bright and energetic - It’s just what I need to keep me going throughout the week!"  Laurel Donahoo (Social Media director)

Happy 10th Anniversary, SummerHouse!  To learn more about SummerHouse, please visit their website here!