Latest news with #DollyParton-inspired
Style Blueprint
16-05-2025
- Business
- Style Blueprint
South Walton Came to Nashville, and It Was a Vibe! (Meeting Planners, You've Got to Read This!)
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit On a warm Wednesday evening in late April, Nashville's event-planning community slipped into the plush, rose-hued world of White Limozeen — The Graduate Hotel's famously flamboyant rooftop restaurant and bar. While the city bustled below, the real escape was indoors, where velvet banquettes, ornate chandeliers, and Dolly Parton-inspired decor set the stage for a different kind of pitch: an invitation to discover South Walton, Florida, as the next go-to destination for meetings and events. StyleBlueprint sponsored this event, and we learned so much. Here's the scoop! Pin The event took place indoors, but the rooftop's signature kitsch and charm provided the perfect backdrop for casual mingling. Roughly 40 local event planners were welcomed into the vibrant pink space, which was buzzing with conversation, curated bites, and Southern hospitality — an atmosphere that mirrored the very experience South Walton hopes to offer potential visitors and clients alike. Pin The conversations felt easy and organic, with a few brief remarks shared from a casually arranged stage area. The vibe stayed warm and low-key, inviting planners to envision their own events unfolding along Florida's scenic Gulf Coast. Whether imagining an intimate family gathering or a large-scale conference, it was easy to see the potential. And, with so many direct flights now coming into the two nearby airports, South Walton is accessible, which is a major advantage in the world of event planning. 'We have 26 miles of coastline,' Karen Morris, Walton County Tourism's Director of Sales, explained, 'and some of the neighborhoods in our destination that you might recognize include Seaside, Sandestin, WaterColor, Rosemary Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach.' It's clear that each community offers its own distinct flavor, from quaint, walkable town centers to luxurious beachfront enclaves. Pin What sets South Walton apart for event planners is the diversity of its venues and accommodations. 'We offer a wide variety of accommodations for meeting planners, so it's really a great setup,' Karen said. 'We have everything from boutique hotels and beach rentals along 30A — perfect for board retreats and high-end incentives — all the way to full-service resorts with ample meeting space for conferences and conventions.' The message resonated in a big way, particularly since so many planners create events year-round and are constantly on the lookout for locations that offer both function and flair. Pin One of the evening's most memorable elements was the appearance of artist Sarah Page, Walton County's 2024–2025 Artist of the Year. Known for her large-scale murals, Sarah brought a few of her smaller pieces to display during the event. Her presence underscored one of South Walton's most compelling selling points beyond the surf and sand: its thriving creative scene. From open-air galleries and coastal murals to artist residencies and cultural festivals, South Walton's commitment to the arts offers planners an opportunity to infuse creativity and authenticity into their events. Pin By the end of the evening, guests had not only tasted the flavors of South Walton but also its spirit — unpretentious luxury, artistic soul, and natural beauty rolled into one. The gathering at White Limozeen planted a seed: somewhere between the sugar-white sands and the turquoise waters of the Florida Panhandle, a new kind of event experience awaits. One where planners can trade ballrooms for breezy verandas, and crowded downtowns for curated coastal charm. Pin Find out more about planning upcoming events — from small business retreats to 1,500-person conferences — at the Visit South Walton website. ********** Find more fantastic Southern destinations in our Travel archives! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Dolly Parton musical suspended over homophobic abuse as star speaks out
The actors in a Dolly Parton-inspired musical have said they were forced to halt a performance in Manchester after an audience member allegedly expressed their 'disgust' over the inclusion of a gay character. Stevie Webb, who plays a super fan of the country music icon in the musical Here You Come Again, shared a TikTok in which he addressed the abuse he and his team are met with 'almost every week'. 'The amount of audience members we have had to eject from our show due to homophobia is insane,' he said. 'Just this week, in Manchester alone, last night we had to eject someone who was shouting out slurs. 'On Wednesday (5 February), we had to stop the whole show… leave the stage, because a woman was so disgusted that there was a gay character onstage.' Webb said there was a 'massive ruckus' during the performance as the rest of the audience began to shout at the woman, forcing them to take a 15-minute break. 'This is a Dolly Parton musical!' he continued. 'It's just me and [an actor playing] Dolly Parton onstage, my character and Dolly Parton.' Here You Come Again, directed by Gabriel Barre, is a musical comedy that features Parton's character as a fairy godmother giving life lessons in song to a fan going through difficult times. Webb said that London had been the worst experience, as he recalled a man who allegedly shouted the F-slur during one performance, complaining that he 'just wanted to see Dolly Parton'. 'It's really opened my eyes, because we're in such a bubble in this industry, but travelling the country and seeing how many people literally cannot bear to see a gay person depicted onstage, it's wild,' Webb said. 'I feel very sorry for them.' Webb urged potential audience members to read the synopsis of the production, as well as reminding themselves of the fact that 'it's a Dolly Parton musical'. Parton is renowned for her longtime support of the LGBT+ community, and is considered by many to be the 'original gay icon'. She declared her support for gay marriage in 2014. ATG Entertainment, which runs the Opera House in Manchester where one of the incidents took place, told the BBC that it has a 'zero tolerance' approach to such behaviour. The Opera House said these incidents were rare and that anyone engaging in abusive behaviour would be removed immediately. Parton announced the world premiere of her own music, Dolly: An Original Musical, last month, telling fans that it would have its first production in her home state of Tennessee. Parton, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, continued: 'I've outlived so many plastic surgeons. But I actually have always wanted to do my life story as a musical. 'And I just thought that I wanted to see it done while I'm still around, to be able to oversee it and make sure that it's done properly in a way that I would want to see it, rather than to wait 'til I'm gone and let somebody else decide how they think it should be done.'
