Thistle Dew will provide entertainment to accompany a selection of Irish-themed dinner options and a wine tasting with MountainRose Vineyard.
BIG STONE GAP, VA. - The Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum are accepting ticket reservations for the St. Patrick's Day Bash Saturday, March 14 from 6-8 p.m. "Thistle Dew" will provide entertainment to accompany a selection of Irish-themed dinner options and a wine tasting with MountainRose Vineyard. The St. Patrick's Day Bash offers an opportunity to enjoy a taste of Ireland in the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park's Victorian Parlor with an evening of food and music.
Thistle Dew is a vocal trio dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the two forms of "roots" music which are nearest and dearest to their hearts – Celtic and Appalachian – while creating something new by melding them into "Celtalachian" Music, a term they have coined. Based in East Tennessee and western North Carolina, the "Dew-Drops" are: Rhodyjane Meadows on lead and harmony vocals, Appalachian autoharp, Celtic harp, guitar, mountain dulcimer, clawhammer banjer, smooth fiddle and doghouse bass; Laura Laughridge on lead and harmony vocals, mountain dulcimer and Irish bodhran; Ellie Hjemmet on lead and harmony vocals, guitar, clawhammer banjer, mountain dulcimer, and the "celsimer," a hybrid of a cello and dulcimer. They are often joined by the "Thistle Dudes" who contribute cello, penny whistle, bouzouki, banjer, fiddle, mandolin and doghouse bass.
The wine tasting will be provided by MountainRose Vineyard of Wise, Virginia. MountainRose produces a small number of cases of wine annually from hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes to ensure quality. Most of the grapes go to their classic "mines to wines" series with fun coal seam names, such as Jawbone and Pardee, and the rest head to the new varietal line of premium wines, such as Riesling and Cab Franc. MountainRose entered their first wine, Autumn Gold Vidal Blanc, into competition in 2007, winning a gold medal in the dessert wine competition and Best of Show in the Virginia State Fair. They have also won two Best of Shows and one Best of Reds as well as many individual awards.
The ticket price for the St. Patrick's Day Bash is $20 per person, which includes dinner and the show. Beverages provided by MountainRose Vineyard must be purchased separately. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is limited to 44 participants. The registration and payment deadline is Friday, Feb. 27.
All proceeds from the St. Patrick's Day Bash support the Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The mission of the Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum is to act as a Citizens Support Organization in assisting to identify and promote activities to conserve, enhance and interpret the cultural and historic resources of the Southwest Virginia Museum.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at 276-523-1322.
