DCCA to host St. Patrick’s Day event

Darke County Center for the Arts will host “Irish Wave” at Montage Cafe in downtown Greenville on Friday, March 14. “We will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a fund raising party featuring Irish music, food, and a beer tasting; as is usual with our fund raisers, we promise a good time for a good cause,” said Andrea Jordan, DCCA Executive Director. Proceeds will benefit DCCA's many programs including Arts In Education and the Family Theatre Series. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.

Beers to be tasted are from the Elevator Brewing Company, a Columbus brewery founded in 1999 by a father/son team who say that they are committed to “creating adventurous beers that elevate the taste of customers,” and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Akron, who produce craft brewed beers that are uniquely diverse in range and character. Six tastes and a commemorative beer glass are included in the price of admission. Irish-themed food prepared by Montage proprietors Aaron and Michele Cox will also be provided; for non-beer drinkers, other beverages including wine will be available.

Music will be performed by Lone Raven, a group that DCCA Artistic Director Keith Rawlins describes as “one of the top bands in the Midwest.” “Lone Raven does an eclectic blend of traditional music as well as their own originals,” Rawlins explained. “They'll tear through peppy Irish reels, play haunting Gypsy fiddle tunes, and render soulful airs, leaving the audience breathless and begging for more,” Rawlins said.

According to Rawlins, Craig Markley, Kara Markley, Elizabeth Blickenstaff, Neil Jacobs, and Sid Omasta, the musicians who make up Lone Raven, will bring over 20 instruments with them including keyboards, fiddles, mandolins, guitars, accordions, whistles, and various percussion. “This band does it all, and does it well,” Rawlins stated. Sponsors for “Irish Wave” who make possible the performance by Lone Raven are Second National Bank, Dr. Thomas Brown, and Edward Jones Investment representatives Dave Connelly, Andria Haworth, Todd Subler, and Bill Wolke, as well as Wayne and Sharon Deschambeau and Zechar-Bailey Funeral Home.

Tickets for “Irish Wave” are $35, and can be reserved by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908 or dcca@centerforarts.net or purchased on-line at www.centerforarts.net. Tickets are also available at Montage Cafe.