Art of the Cocktail arrives to shake up winter blahs in Springfield

The annual shake-up for the mid-winter blahs is stirring again.

The seventh Art of the Cocktail, the area’s Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras celebration, will return to Seasons Bistro and Grille from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Art of the Cocktail, a fundraiser for Leadership Clark County, has grown in popularity, said Karen Ehman, executive director of Leadership Clark County.

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The format calls for four celebrity bartenders to make their own signature cocktails. Attendees vote for their favorite cocktails and the top vote-getter earns bragging rights as the bartender of the year.

An emphasis began last year to have Leadership Clark County program graduates as bartenders. They are chosen to represent a diverse set of skills and businesses.

This year’s celebrity bartenders are Jodi George, owner of a Home Instead franchise; Kerry Pedraza, executive director of United Way of Clark County; Eric Powell of KB&P Financial Partners; and Jim Kreckman, vice president-trust officer at Security National Bank.

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For the $55 ticket, attendees will get two cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres with a creole theme and desserts provided by Seasons. Additional cocktails cost $5.

Since the event sells out quickly, those interested should purchase tickets through the organization's website.

A canvas decoration will also be up for auction.

Event coordinator Anna Plataniotis said Art of the Cocktail is one of the area’s few Mardi Gras celebrations.

“You come in and support a local organization by enjoying an evening in a local establishment and networking with other professionals,” she said.

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Leadership Clark County depends on events such as this and its golf outing for its programming. It hopes to expand offering scholarships to local non-profits and be more involved with its alumni.

“Our participants are amazed at what they don’t know about Clark County,” Ehman said.


WANT TO GO?

What: Art of the Cocktail

Where: Seasons Bistro and Grille, 28 S. Limestone St., Springfield

When: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Admission: $55 each

More info: 937-460-7782 or www.leadershipclarkcounty.org

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