The Art League of Ocean City is now accepting reservations for the second year of “The Big Get-Together,” a fun tastings event that brings together local art, craft beer, local wines and food prepared by local restaurants. The 2nd annual Big Get-Together takes place on Wednesday, May 22, 6-9 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. The event will raise funds for programs at the Art League.
Co-sponsored by the OC Foodie Tour, Shore Craft Beer and Windmill Creek Vineyards & Winery, the event pairs samples of local food prepared by local restaurants with hand-selected craft beer from local breweries, locally-produced wines and local art displayed in the galleries of the Arts Center.
Merging craft beer with the arts
We already know that craft beer is an art in itself, as much as any culinary process is considered an artistic exploit. Merging the art of craft beer with more traditional arts — painting, sculpture, even music — makes for a pairing as great as the classic IPA-with-a-basket-of-mozzarella-sticks combo (or something as equally greasy).
Claire Esham of Ocean City will entertain with live music while Artist Halie Torris will offer wine glasses she hand paints in various designs. The OC Bay Hopper will be on the waterway by the Arts Center.
New this year is the “99 Bottles of Wine on the Wall” benefit wine auction where patrons can take a chance on mystery wines that include several bottles with superior vintages plus surprise gift cards to local restaurants and venues.
“This is your chance to support the arts and have fun with your friends at the same time,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “Get together for an enjoyable night out and celebrate what brings folks to our town: delicious local food, hand-crafted beer, and wine produced right here in Worcester County.”
“Brewing hand-crafted beer is an art,” Thaler continued. “Growing and producing wine is an art. So is presenting hors d’oeuvres in a hand-designed way. This event ‘gets-together’ those crafts with original artwork, including a ‘Felines vs. Canines’ show where sales benefit the Humane Society. Browse through our galleries, be entertained by live music by a young up-and-coming local musician, and enjoy the night.”
Local restaurants serving food at the event include restaurants from the OC Foodie Tour, where diners sample specialty plates on the downtown and midtown routes of the tour. Those restaurants include Longboard Cafe, Sanibel’s Oceanside 32, Higgins Crab House, Tailchasers, Pit & Pub, Buxy’s Salty Dog, Dolle’s and Candy Kitchen. Three local breweries — represented by Shore Craft Beer and including Tall Tales, Burley Oak and Fin City — will serve craft beer tastings.
Also premiering at the event is the participation of the local Windmill Creek Vineyards & Winery, a family owned and operated vineyard, winery, wildflower farm, and special events venue situated on the grounds of the Historic Mariner House on Worcester Hwy. They will be serving tastings of their locally-produced wines at the event, including Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Chambourcin and Summer Red, plus a brand new Rosé.
The Ocean City Center for the Arts will host the event throughout their galleries on 94th St., bayside in the resort. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door the night of the event. Reservations are available at artleagueofoceancity.org or by calling 410-524-9433.
