Annabelle Road will take the stage at The Information Center’s Country Gala fundraiser Oct. 12 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate. For tickets and more information, go to www.theinfocenter.org.
The 14th Fall Festival of the Arts will be celebrated Oct. 6 to 20 at the James R. DeSana Center for Arts & Culture, located at 81 Chestnut in Wyandotte.
A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6 will kick off the festival exhibit and sale, to be highlighted by a ceremony at which awards will be presented to competing artists. The exhibit also will feature a non-competitive miniature art category.
The judge for the Fine Art Division was Grace Serra, who has been on the faculties of Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University and Henry Ford College. She earned a master of arts degree in painting at the Dominican University in Florence, Italy, and another in Art Administration at EMU.
In addition, Serra has worked in public art for more than 30 years as art director for the Healing Art programs at Children’s Hospital and Detroit Receiving Hospital.
The honorary chair of the festival is Riverview Mayor Andrew Swift, whose father, Lewis, was a member of the Artists Creators Guild.
Prizes of $300, first place; $200, second; and $100, third, will be awarded. Artists’ choice and honorable-mention prizes also will be presented.
Art demonstrations and children’s make-and-take workshops are planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 7.
Art works that will be available for viewing or purchase at the Fall Festival of the Arts Oct. 6 to 20 include “Flower Vases,” a pastel by Sally Morris; “Spring Birch,” a mixed-media work by Maureen Cassidy Keast; and “Daffodils in Blue,” an oil by Vivian Longfellow. The festival will take place at the James R. DeSana Center for Arts & Culture in Wyandotte.
The artists will be available to discuss their mediums and offer information about art classes for children and adults.
Participating artists are Nancy Knapp, pastels; Elroy Grandy, ceramics; Jackie Walock, watercolors; Mary Jo Caruana, ink stippling; Maureen Cassidy Keast, mixed media; and Melanie Ursing, children’s make-and-take workshops.
Festival hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Food, drink event slated
Ten Downriver restaurants will offer their culinary specialties from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 6 during an international food and drink pairing at the PRCU Venue Hall, 1430 Oak St. in Wyandotte.
Tickets, $45 presale or $60 at the door, will include a souvenir glass, 20 food tickets to use at food stations and 15 drink tickets for sampling and pairing with international wines and beers.
Participating eateries and their cuisines include The Little Pierogi & Crepe Kitchen, Polish; Tuscan Style: Magdaleno’s Italian Ristorante, Italian; Bierkeller Tavern; German; Smokies Restaurant, American; Tijuana’s Mexican Kitchen, Mexican; and Jee’s Top 5 Thai Food, Thai;
Others are Sushi Bar & Japanese Bistro, Japanese; Wine Dotte Bistro, Eclectic; House of Shawarma, Mediterranean; and Jay Ray’s BBQ, Southern. Modern Craft Wines also will participate.
The title sponsor is Bros. Construction, while Discount Drinks is the beverage sponsor.
Tickets are available at Discount drinks and online at http://inthedotte.com/events/dotte-around-the-world.
Fundraiser set by center
The popular local country band Annabelle Road will be the main attraction for the Information Center’s gala fundraiser Oct. 12 at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center, 16703 Fort St. in Southgate.
Known for its country renditions, the band is composed of vocalist Amanda, guitarist Jeremy Temple, bassist Donovan Tarjeft and drummer Phillip Martency.
The evening will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a reception to be followed by dinner, a silent auction, music and dancing.
Dr. Noel Jackson, a dentist who founded the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center, will be the master of ceremonies.
For ticket information, call 734-282-7171 or go to www.theinforcenter.org. Proceeds will fund Information Center services.