March 30, 2016

The secret’s out: This year’s location for Brandywine in Black is the Brandywine River Museum of Art – a locale in keeping with the elegant fundraiser’s beneficiary – and a limited number of seats are still available.

“The Brandywine Conservancy’s River Museum, along with the programs they support on art, culture, conservation and open space, are directly in line with programs we love to support at Brandywine In Black,” said BIB founder Vince Moro.

Inspired by the popular En Blanc dinners in France, BIB is billed as an exquisite, pop-up gala. It attracts guests who dress in black (with a suggested “pop of yellow” to celebrate spring), pack elaborate picnic hampers and table settings, and head to an exciting mystery indoor location that is disclosed a few days before the event.

Moro said he hoped participants would enjoy the combination of dining with a view of the Brandywine at sunset with the knowledge that proceeds will benefit the conservancy’s Headwaters Restoration Program. In addition, guests will have an opportunity to stroll the galleries and experience the museum’s latest exhibit: “The Poetry of Nature: A Golden Age of American Landscape Painting.”

The Headwaters Restoration Program depends on raising private funds that in turn stretch limited public funds available for the program. Focusing much of the efforts in the headwaters region in Honey Brook, the program surpassed a huge milestone last year, protecting 4,165 acres – more than 25 percent of Honey Brook Township – under permanent easement, according to the museum.

Brandywine in Black and its summertime corollary, Brandywine in White, both raise funds for conservation efforts, preserving open space, maintaining clean water, and feeding the hungry by supporting local shelters and food kitchens, Moro said.

Saturday’s BIB will take place at the museum from 6 to 11 p.m. Guests will bring gourmet food, beverages, and table settings; tables and chairs will await them at the museum. Music, dancing, and a prize for the best decorated table will round out the evening.

Tickets are $30 per person, with discounts for tables of eight. A “Community Table” for singles and/or couples who want to join the event but don’t want to gather a unique table of friends and décor is also available. Tickets for the community table are slightly higher at $35. Community table attendees don’t have to provide a table setting, but are required to bring their own beverage or one to share along with a favorite dish to be shared as well.

To learn more about the event, visit www.facebook.com/BrandywineinBlack. To purchase tickets, click here.

The 2016 Earth Day Music Event brings together people, food, music and beer for the benefit of The Garage Community and Youth Center in Kennett Square and Anson B. Nixon Park. Saturday, April 23^rd the doors open at 5 p.m. for an evening of music. One of the evening highlights of the evening will be the selection of the winner of the “Dogs of Kennett Photocon.”

Five hours of local music by the following bands: local singer/songwriters Sarah Anderson and Jack Marshall, The Remedy, The Rose Project, The Groove Merchants, Rock-O-Jets, and other local music. $10 cover per person and donations accepted. Guests that are over the age of 21 are asked to make an additional donation of $10 or more so they can enjoy beer provided by our sponsor Victory Brewing Company. ID is required.

The media sponsor is ChaddsFordLive.com. Food sponsors are Kennett’s own Nourish Juice Bar, Nomadic Pies, and Kennett Brewing Company. Raffle items are generously donated by local vendors.

The Dogs of Kennett Photocon is an opportunity for locals to win a chance to admission to the event by entering pictures of local dogs. The deadline to enter the contest is on March 31st and one winner will be announced on the Facebook event page on April 2nd and also contacted be email. Photos entered will be featured in a slideshow of Dogs of Kennett and will be on display at the event!

Click here to see contest entries

Submissions must be made to brandywinequery@hotmail.com by March 31st to be entered. The contest will be judged by the event’s media sponsor Emily Myers, publisher of  ChaddsFordLive.com

The Earth Day Music Event is an opportunity for you to help our local Anson B. Nixon Park. Operated by the Kennett Area Park Authority (KAPA), Anson B. Nixon Park is a local treasure offering beautiful trails, picnic areas, tennis, gardening, summer concerts, and more. The event will be giving a donation to the park in an effort to help build a dog park.

KAPA is currently undertaking a series of park improvements, including a new entrance road, woodland enhancements, and a dog park. The dog park is scheduled to open this year and donations will be used to provide adequate fencing, signage, a waste station, and new trees.

A donation will also be made to the Garage Community and Youth Center who is hosting the event at the Kennett location. Empowering youth to pursue their potential academically, socially, and spiritually is the mission of the Youth Center. The Garage Community & Youth Center was a vacant car garage until 2001, when a local business leader and youth pastor envisioned its roof sheltering something far more valuable than vehicles. The renovated building is now home to services for middle and high school students.

After 10 successful years serving students in the Kennett community, The Garage opened a second center in West Grove. Between the two centers, more than 400 students pass through our doors each week for tutoring, mentoring, community service opportunities, computer lab use, youth groups, and enrichment activities.

We invite you to come out and have fun while funding great organizations in Kennett Square.

 

 

 

 

The Darlington Arts Center in Concord Township is presenting the Annual 7th District Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, according to a Darlington press release.

The Congressional Art Competition allows area high school students to showcase their artwork and receive juried feedback from professional artists. Winners from each district around the country will attend a ceremony in Washington D.C. and have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

After the 125 student works have been evaluated by a panel of accredited judges, the winner will be announced at the opening reception with Meehan on Monday, April 11, from 6 to 8:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nation-wide competition.

This year’s District 7 competitors come from Chichester High School, Garnet Valley High School, Haverford High School, Padua Academy, Penncrest High School, Perkiomen High School, Radnor High School, Ridley High School, The Shipley School, Springfield High School, Sun Valley High School, Twin Valley High School, and Upper Darby High School, the release said.

The exhibition of student work will be on display through April. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Darlington Arts Center is located at 977 Shavertown Road in Garnet Valley. For more information, visit www.darlingtonarts.org or call 610-358-3632.