Marshall Artists Series hosting scotch tasting fundraiser on Jan. 27

HUNTINGTON — The Marshall Artists Series is kicking off 2012 with its first Kindred Spirits event of the year, a scotch tasting fundraiser to benefit the Series, which is celebrating its 75th season.

 Enjoy an evening of revelry, music and Scotch tasting as you celebrate the birthday of “The Bard of Scotland,” Robert Burns, who penned Auld Lang Syne; all while raising funds for the Marshall Artists Series.

This fundraising event will be held at the Jameson Cigar Company, located in the shops at Heritage Station on 11th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard in downtown Huntington from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Friday, Jan. 27.

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

During the event guest will sample outstanding single malt Scotch and Scottish food. Guest will also learn about the history and culture of Scotch, hear poetry and music by Robert Burns and enjoy 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,” said Thomas McChesney, organizer of the fundraiser. “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. So it seems only fitting that as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our Water of Life – the Marshall Artists Series - we do so by raising a toast to Scotland’s uisge beatha,” he said.

 “In Scotland, Scotch is known as the ‘Water of Life’ and Robert Burns is seen as a national icon. So it seems only appropriate that we celebrate the arts in Huntington and raise money for the Marshall Artists Series by enjoying the ‘Water of Life’ and celebrating the birthday of a bard,” McChesney said.

Burns is considered one of the world’s greatest poets and has been adopted as a National Symbol of Scotland. His works are easily relatable and reflect the great passions for which Scots are famously known for at home and abroad. He has such a fan base that after his death it was agreed to continue celebrating in his name and to always remember his work.

Seating is limited so reserve your tickets today by contacting 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.


This year The Marshall Artists Series is celebrating its 75th anniversary. More information about the show lineup can be found at www.marshallartistsseries.org