Let this art shake and stir you
| Wednesday, Nov 04 2009 05:49 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 04 2009 05:49 PM
GO & DO
What: ARTini
When: 7-10 p.m. Friday
Where: 5060 California Ave. (12th floor)
Tickets: $65 per person or $50 per person if you are an ACK member. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by logging on to kernarts.org.
For the second year, the Arts Council of Kern is shaking up the arts scene of Bakersfield with a fundraiser that showcases the art in bartending. ARTini has become the largest fundraising event for the nonprofit group, and how could it not? Guests are not only encouraged to buy the exclusive selection of art being sold throughout the evening, but they are treated to 10 to 12 of Bakersfield's best and most creative martini recipes. ARTini was crafted by Anthony Goss last year.
"Our community hosts several popular and successful wine and/or beer-tasting events throughout the year," Goss says. "People love to experience a variety of great foods and drinks from local and not-so-local establishments while supporting a worthwhile organization and cause. Martini tasting adds a new twist to the growing circuit of community fundraisers."
Last year was the group's first hosting ARTini.
"We were blown away by the enthusiasm and response of everyone involved," says Goss of last year's soldout event. "It was fun to watch everyone having such a good time while supporting the arts. The creativity of establishments and bartenders in making their drinks and decorating their booths was truly impressive. We expect even more this year."
Goss plans to roll up his sleeves and do a little shaking of his own. He says last year he hosted a holiday martini party at his home serving drinks people couldn't talk enough about. "Inspired by Starbucks, I served peppermint martinis and gingerbread martinis -- you know, lattes by morning and martinis by night," he says. "They were a huge hit! So, we are bringing them to ARTini. As the song goes, it's beginning to look (and taste) a lot like Christmas!"
But ARTini isn't all about fun. The event's true purpose is to help schools provide education in the arts.
"With all the budget cuts for the arts in our local schools, the Arts Council is helping local schools fund programs in the arts," says Jeanette Parks Richardson, executive director for The Arts Council of Kern. "We appreciate the support for music in our schools. Everyone that sponsors or attends ARTini helps put music back into a Kern County school."
This year's theme, "Viva Las Bakos," will resonate throughout the night in Vegas- inspired artwork, fabulous food and drink experiences. Unlike Vegas though, what happens here doesn't have to say here. This time you can take some of the fun home with you.
