Karen McAlister Jordan

A sweet treat for art enthusiasts

This article was taken from the Rome News Tribune in Rome, GA

I am a member of the Arts Council Board for this event. If you would like to buy tickets give me a call or send me an email. I will make sure you get them. It will be loads of fun and Chocolate (not to mention Champagne).

A new year means a fresh start for Rome Area Council for the Arts. Tasty is probably the only way to describe a trio of delectable events planned throughout the new season.

Beginning Feb. 24, the series kicks off with "The Art of Chocolate" followed by "Jazz, Martinis and Tapas" in May and "Beer, Barbecue & Bluegrass" in September.

Cheryl Hodge is co-chair of the first event in the series. She said RACA's usual annual fundraiser, a wine-tasting and art auction called Fanfare, had run its course. And with membership and fundraiser accounting for the bulk of its operating budget, a new event had to take its place.

"We approached the board with the idea for the Art of Chocolate," Hodge said, "and they liked it. But they didn't want to put all our eggs in one basket. So the ‘Flavors of Rome' series was born."

With each event catering to a different taste, introducing their unique flavors and costing considerably less than Fanfare, RACA hopes to appeal to a wider audience.

The first item on the menu is "The Art of Chocolate" on Feb. 24, which will be held at the Forrest Place Ballroom.

"Thirteen local restaurants, caterers and bakers will create their most fabulous and delicious chocolate creations," Hodge said. "Guests will be able to sample all the chocolate creations and sip champagne. It's really a chocolate-tasting."

Musicians with the Rome Symphony Orchestra will provide music during the event and RACA's Southern Artist of the Year, Leah Hopkins Henry, will be displaying her paintings in the main ballroom.

Hodge will also be displaying her watercolors at the event as she and potter Julie Spector Windler, as well as Henry, have all created pieces specially for "The Art of Chocolate."

Visually stunning tablescapes are on the agenda as well. Each restaurant, caterer and bakery will be judged on their chocolate creation as well as on presentation. Prizes will be awarded for most creative dessert, best presentation and table display and the people's choice for best dessert. "The Art of Chocolate" takes place Feb. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Forrest Place Ballroom on Broad Street. Tickets are $35 per person at the door. They can also be purchased in advance at the RACA office, La Scala restaurant, Traditions of Rome and Kroger.

Series tickets are available for $75 and there's a special dinner ticket for $100 which includes admission to any one event as well as a 4-course meal at La Scala following that event.

For additional information call the RACA office at 706-295-2787.

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