Sixth annual Art d’Vine this week

Published 10:36 pm Monday, September 24, 2012

Guests are asked to mix casual and formal as they support the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts on Friday.

Tickets still are on sale for the sixth annual Art d’Vine. The theme, “Bow Ties and Blue Jeans,” is receiving great response, center Executive Director Jackie Cherry said.

“We’ve had more response this year than ever before,” she said. “We are expecting to sell out.”

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Tickets will be sold as late as they’re available. A 6 p.m. sponsor’s reception will kick off the evening’s events, with pianist Topher Booth providing music. Other ticketholders can begin arriving at 7 p.m.

Entertainment during the event will include Bill Daughtry and the Just Us Band. Wine and other beverages, an array of food, and silent and live auctions will complete the night.

“It’s one of the best events in our area,” said Director of Development Susan Babiy. “It’s all for a good cause — to raise money for operations here at the Suffolk Center.”

An array of luxurious items and outings are included in the auctions, including a variety of art in all mediums, a beginner’s glass-blowing class, assorted wines, golf outings, a home redesign and staging, tailgate party for eight, dinner for 15 in your home by chef Aaron Spring of Mosaic Café and a backyard barbecue for 20 by The Catering Place.

The centerpiece of the auction items, though, is a Nov. 2-3 getaway that includes accommodations at the Tides Inn in Irvington, Va., a personal cruise aboard the historic oystering boat Iva W. to the Urbanna Oyster Festival, and return passage to the Tides Inn. The restored boat also will serve as your personal getaway for the day.

Cherry said downtown businesses have been supportive of the event by donating items for the auctions.

“If we don’t support each other, we won’t survive,” Cherry said. “It’s amazing that this group is just so supportive of each other.”

Babiy said guests are invited to wear their bowties wherever they see fit — on their belt, in their hair or around their neck.

“Be creative and come to enjoy,” she said.

“This one’s going to be more fun, because it’s just different,” Cherry said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.suffolkcenter.org.