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Arkansas’ premier wine festival celebrates 10 Years |
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Feb. 4, 2010
Submitted by: Walton Arts Center
NEWS RELEASE
For More Information Contact:
Beth Goodwin
479.571.2747
bgoodwin@waltonartscenter.org
For Immediate Release
Arkansas’ premier wine festival celebrates 10 Years
Northwest Arkansas (February 2, 2010) – The 10th annual Art of Wine Festival is Arkansas' premier wine festival benefiting arts education programs at Walton Arts Center. The multi-day event has attracted thousands of attendees over the past decade, and features hundreds of wines, dozens of local restaurants, and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
“We’re really excited about our 10th Anniversary Art of Wine Festival! We have some new events like Chopped in the Ozarks, and have made some changes to some of the crowd favorites, like the Winemaker’s Dinner. This is a wonderful festival that patrons look forward to all year. But most importantly, the money we raise gets us one step closer to our goal of supporting the arts education programs and bringing the arts to every child.” –Peaches Peterson, Walton Arts Center, Special Events Chair.
All proceeds from Art of Wine support Walton Arts Center's arts education and outreach. These programs have been the cornerstone of the Center since it opened in 1992. Each year more than 20,000 school children experience the arts through high quality live theater performances, workshops and in-school residency activities. Studies consistently show that children that are exposed to the arts are more engaged and score higher in other areas of their education including reading, writing and math.
NEW Scotch Tasting Seminar
Thursday, February 25 at 6:00pm
Starr Theater at Walton Arts Center
Hosted by Robert Sickler, Master of Whiskey for Diageo, the evening kicks off with pre-seminar cocktails. During the seminar, Master Sickler will guide patrons through seven featured scotches providing tips on tasting, flavors and pairing. Tickets are $75 per person and are limited.
NEW Chopped in the Ozarks
Monday, May 3 at 6:30pm
Nibbles Academy of Cooking in Fayetteville
Chopped in the Ozarks features six of the finest chefs in Northwest Arkansas. Audience members will see chefs compete to create an award winning dish from a basket of unusual ingredients. Chefs are eliminated after each course, leaving the last as the Chopped Champion. Admission price ($100 per person) includes beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by participating chefs. Limited availability.
The Winemaker’s Dinner
Thursday, June 10 at 6:00pm
On Stage in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall
Sponsored by E&J Gallo Winery
One of the most popular events of the Art of Wine Festival, the evening will be hosted by Jim Collins of Frei Brothers Reserve and features a five course meal prepared by Chef Bill Lyle of Ella's Restaurant. The expert winemaker guides guests through each course paired with some of the most delicious wines in the country. Call for ticket availability 479-443-5600.
Uncorked! Friday Night Wine Tasting
Friday, June 11 at 7:00pm
Walton Arts Center
This party celebrates the Festival’s 10th anniversary with 400+ wines from all over the world. Vintners will be on hand to guide guests through tasting adventures and area restaurants will offer some of the best food in Northwest Arkansas. Tickets are $65 per person.
Wine Lover’s Brunch
Saturday, June 12, at 11:00am
Nadine Baum Studios
Hosted by Joe Farnan of E&J Gallo Winery, this popular brunch is a casual and delicious opportunity for guests to learn more about wine and food pairings. Tickets are $65 per person. This event consistently sells out, early purchase is encouraged.
NEW Riedel Glass – Tasting Seminar
Saturday, June 12 at 4:30pm
Starr Theater at Walton Arts Center
World-famous Riedel glasses have been designed to enhance the flavor, balance, bouquet and perception of wine. During this tasting seminar, a Riedel expert will guide patrons through tasting four different varietals and their matching stemware, so they can experience what a difference a wineglass makes. Seminar price includes a Vinum set of four wine glasses, valued at $116. Tickets are $75 per person and are limited.
Premier Tasting
Saturday, June 12, at 6:00pm
Walton Arts Center
The Premier Tasting caters to discerning wine connoisseurs. The exclusive evening features a variety of reserve quality wines from around the globe. Guests can wander through the building, tasting wine and sampling foods from some of the finest restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. Tickets are $150 per person.
NEW Art of Wine On-line Auction
Live, April 1
www.biddingforgood.com/wac - Coming Soon!
New this year will be the opportunity to bid on auction items prior to the Festival including a commissioned Art of Wine painting by local artist Laura M. Terry; www.studiolmt.com. Large format bottles of wine, food, one-of-a-kind Walton Arts Center performance memorabilia and other items celebrating “the Good Life” will also be available. On-line auction bidding runs April 1-May 31. To place bids: www.biddingforgood.com/wac .
*Guests must be 21 years or older to purchase Art of Wine tickets and events have limited availability.
Special thanks to the Art of Wine Co-Chairs:
Carolyn Allen - David and Rosamond Banks - Ted and Leslie Belden - Don and Yvonne Bland - Ed and Karlee Bradberry - Ed and Joan Clifford - Steven and Lori Collins - Kim and Paul Crawford - Tony and Diane Dunning - Joe and Kathy Farnan - Hershey and Denise Garner - Jeff and Lisa Gearhart - Reed and Mary Ann Greenwood - Dorothy and Al Hanby - Meza Harris - Dennis and Marla Hunt - Tom and Vina Hyde - Kelly and Wade Jones - Amy and Vaughn Knight - Bobbie and Peter Lane - Greg and Hannah Lee - Coleman and Shirley Peterson - Paul and Pamm Prebil - Curt and Melissa Rom - Jeff and Eileen Schomburger - Jean and David Schook - Bill and Judy Schwab - Shelly and Todd Simmons - Jack and Mechelle Sinclair - Joe Fred and Billie Starr - Dick and Nancy Trammel - Jerry and Brenda Walton - Bill and Lara Waite
The 10th Annual Art of Wine Festival is sponsored by E&J Gallo Winery, American Airlines/American Eagle, Liquor World, Central Distributors, Moon Distributors, Glazer's of Arkansas, Kimberly-Clark, and Hershey Chocolate Company. Media support by Northwest Arkansas Newspapers. Additional support is provided by Nibbles Academy of Cooking. For more information about these events or others, contact the Walton Arts Center Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
Walton Arts Center is Arkansas' premier center for the performing arts and entertainment. Each year more than 140,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend over 350 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, graduations and more. Approximately 20,000 students and teachers from 30 school districts participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and over 300 volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to pay on average only 50% of the cost of programs offered. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
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