‘Magnificent show’ will be part of Fine Taste Fine Art event

What could be better than wandering through the Circle Centre for the Arts and admiring the work of local artists?

Here’s a suggestion: While you’re feasting your eyes on the artwork, give your palate a feast as well.

If you attend the Wyoming Valley Art League’s Fine Taste Fine Art fundraiser, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Circle Centre, you’ll be invited to taste savory and sweet creations as well as specialty beverages.

“We have a great line-up,” Art League treasurer Don Armstrong said Wednesday, holding up a poster during an early morning meeting of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Artistic Forum. “Even if you can’t attend the event, you should visit these restaurants.”

Food and beverages for the Fine Taste Fine Art event will come from Sugar Plum Chocolates, Abide Coffeehouse, The Burnt Norton, Downpour, Cocktail Cruiser, Franco’s Pizza, Susquehanna Brewing Co., The Stegmaier, Luzerne County Community College, The Atrium Restaurant, The Cottage at Hillside, Istanbul Grill, Michael Mootz Candies and Josh Cellars.

Tickets are $50 per person, and are available online at wyomingvalleyartleague.org or by sending checks payable to the Wyoming Valley Art League, rear 130 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

Live music for the event will be provided by Michelle Millington at the piano in the first floor gallery and by jazz musicians AJ Jump and Neil Nicastro on the second floor.

While you’re there, you won’t want to miss “Watershed,” an exhibit by plein air landscape painter William Chickillo from Lackawanna County.

“His artwork is absolutely incredible,” Armstrong said, noting the Art League will host an opening reception for the “Watershed” exhibit 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17.

“It will be a magnificent show,” Art League member Patricia Lacy said, urging members of the Downtown Artistic Forum to spread the word.

Oct. 23 will be quite a busy evening in and around Wilkes-Barre, Artistic Forum coordinator Gina Malsky said, noting that John Maday from the Riverfront Parks Committee will accept the Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award from the Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental Partners at the Woodlands, and King’s College will present the Lackenmier Award for Achievement and Leadership to Neil T. O’Donnell Esq. and Catherine R. O’Donnell Esq. at the Westmoreland Club.

“A lot of wonderful people being honored,” Malsky said.

There’s yet another event scheduled for Oct. 23, Chason Goldschmitz from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic said, telling the group about a candlelit concert of Mozart’s Requiem, set for 7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre. The same concert will be presented Oct. 24 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton, Goldschmitz said, if that helps any potential audience members make plans.

Among other events that members of the Artistic Forum have helped to organize:

• Jahmeel Powers from Kings’ College said opening night for the college theatre department’s production of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” will be Nov. 13. “It’s comedy and fantasy and magic and sorcery,” he said, promising a spectacle.

• Wilkes-Barre’s Special Events Coordinator Mike Slusser said children can enjoy “old-fashioned trick or treating” noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in downtown Wilkes-Barre, where so far 14 businesses and organizations will be handing out treats. He would welcome “4 or 5 more,” he said. “We usually have 1,000 kids coming to downtown Wilkes-Barre in their costumes.”

• The final Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market for the season will be Nov. 13, Slusser noted, and the city will get into holiday gear with a Santa Parade and tree lighting on Nov. 22, followed by the Santa 5K on Dec. 13.

• Neil Prisco from the F.M. Kirby Center said upcoming events at that venue range from the Oct. 16 performance by “unbelievable pianist” Ben Folds to Froggy 101’s presentation of “Guitars & Stars” on Nov. 11. There are a few tickets left for Chicago’s appearance on Oct. 29.

• Chason Goldschmitz from the Philharmonic said music director Melisse Brunet has extended her contract for another three years. “She’s really beloved by the community and the musicians,” he said.

In other news, Goldschmitz said, the Philharmonic received some 40 applications from musical groups that want to take part in a Battle of the Bands in January. In early November the Philharmonic will announce a list of finalists, who will compete for a cash prize and a chance to perform with the Philharmonic.