What’s better than celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of Charleston’s most beloved events? Toasting the occasion with lots of delicious food and refreshing adult beverages!
Presented by Fund for the Arts and Spilman Thomas & Battle, the ever-popular Wine and Jazz Music Festival on the beautiful lawn at the University of Charleston this Saturday will not only offer seven hours of live music from talented artists, but also a mouthwatering symphony of 10 food vendors serving up everything from tacos, kabobs, beef and barbecue to sweet treats and more.
“We’re super excited about this lineup!” said Sarah Wright, executive director for Fund for the Arts, a group that provides operational and financial support for 11 member arts organizations throughout the Kanawha Valley.
The day’s entertainment will include DJ Delecta at 3 p.m., Jordan Dyer Trio at 3:50 p.m., Bob Thompson Unit at 5:10 p.m., Audacity Brass Band at 6:40 p.m. and headliner Jennifer Hartswick from 8:30-10 p.m.
This year, you’ll be able to listen to all that jazz while savoring tasty creations from BG’z L.A. Street Tacos, Big Marv’s Café, Dem 2 Brothers & A Grill, Gil’s Pit Beef, Just Drinks, The Kebab Lab, Mountain Juice, Scooby’s Icy Treats, ScragglePop Kettlecorn and Wild Graze.
Whatever food you choose, you’ll be able to pair it with select West Virginia wines from Chestnut Ridge, Daniel Vineyards, Kirkwood Winery and Wandering Wind Meadery.
And even though the event is called Wine & Jazz, you won’t want to miss a great lineup of craft beers from West Virginia breweries.
Charleston’s Black Sheep will serve its West By Gose, Shot Caller amber, Coconut Turnpike coffee porter and a petite rye saison.
Stumptown Ales from Davis in Canaan Valley will pour its Cherry Peach Smooth-eze kettle sour, Voice of Reason saison, Stump Kolsch, Cave Dweller pale ale and Bewildered Hippie IPA.
Other WV beers featured will be a porter and IPA from Big Timber in Elkins, the Orange Oswald IPA from Freefolk Brewery in Fayetteville and Devil Anse IPA from Greenbrier Valley Brewing in Lewisburg.
Tickets for the event are $50 and may be purchased online until 9 p.m. this Friday at https://bit.ly/3Rpu0pF.
You can also purchase them at the gate on Saturday.
Food, drinks and live music on the banks of the Kanawha River? Count me in!
IF YOU GO: The Wine & Jazz Music Festival takes place from 3-10 p.m. this Saturday on the University of Charleston lawn. For more information, check out www.fundfortheartswv.org. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3Rpu0pF.
Clendenin Brewing Co. sold
Nearly two years to the day after hosting its grand opening, Matt and Nikki Holbert have sold their Clendenin Brewing Co. to new owners Evan and Becky Harding.
“Nikki and I are happy to announce that Clendenin Brewing Co. is now under new ownership,” Matt said in a post on Facebook. “The couple lives in Clendenin and are excited to take the business to new heights. We’re excited for them and wish them success.”
Among the changes he teased are expanded business hours, plus more food and beverage options.
“Our goal from the beginning was to aid in the revitalization of Clendenin,” Matt said, referring to widespread flooding that devastated the area back in 2016. “We’re happy we were able to help, but right now the town and business need someone with more free time to take both to new levels.”
But don’t worry, he assured, you’ll still see him and Nikki hiking, biking, kayaking and hanging out in Clendenin. And enjoying a beer from the OTHER side of the bar.
Although the taproom is currently closed, new opening hours are expected to be announced soon.
Local restaurant quick-bites
But wait, there’s more!
The Grill has reopened under new ownership on Charleston’s West Side, with a new look to boot.
Also on the West Side, the new Sergio’s Cucina Italiana & Pizzas now has a liquor license – and, fingers crossed, working air-conditioning.
Yen’s Sandwiches in South Charleston, however, has temporarily closed due to the heat.
And Lola’s has opened its new outdoor bar and patio in South Hills.
If you miss The Food Guy, you miss a lot! Stay tuned for updates on these developments and more in the coming weeks.
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Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national culinary publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
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