Fundraiser for Artists Series coming up

HUNTINGTON -- The Marshall Artists Series is hosting its Kindred Spirits event, a scotch-tasting fundraiser which benefits the series, which is in its 75th season.

The event will celebrate the birthday of "The Bard of Scotland," Robert Burns, who penned "Auld Lang Syne." It will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at the Jameson Cigar Company, located in the shops at Heritage Station on 11th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard in downtown Huntington.

The scotch tasting will be conducted by Simon Brooking, master scotch ambassador for Laphroaig and Ardmore Distilleries.

During the event, guests will sample single malt scotch and Scottish food as well as learn about the history and culture of scotch. It will also feature the poetry and music by Robert Burns and traditional, live bagpipe music. Other shops at Heritage Station will host other activities open to guests: a free wine tasting, a sampling of hard cider, appetizers and more.

"We hope the community will join us for an outstanding evening with lively music, great food, and amazing Scotch -- all to benefit the Marshall Artists Series," Thomas McChesney, organizer of the fundraiser, said in a release. "In fact, the word 'whisky', what we call Scotch, originally came from the Gaelic term uisge beatha, which means 'water of life.' Similarly, many here consider art -- the music, theater, and dance the Marshall Artists Series brings to Huntington every year -- to be their water of life."

Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, contact the Marshall Artists Series at 304-696-6656. Tickets are $100 per person or $150 per couple. The tax-deductible contribution is valued at $50. The event is sponsored by Frontier Communications, Gimme 5 Café and the Marshall Artists Series.

More information about the Artists Series' show lineup can be found at www.marshallartistsseries.org.