Benedum Jazz Part of Upcoming Holiday Jazz Weekend; Civic Center Event to Feature Holiday Jazz All-Stars and The Yule Cats
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on November 26, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The Bridgeport Arts Council (BAC) is planning a special Holiday Tapas Dinner at the Benedum Civic Center as a complement to the jazz performances already scheduled in connection with Holiday Jazz Weekend.
To be held Saturday, Dec. 10, Benedum Jazz is Saturday, Dec. 10, the Bridgeport-based portion of Holiday Jazz Weekend in Harrison County, organized by the West Virginia Jazz Society.
Friday, Dec. 9 will feature the Uptown Jazz Stroll, featuring six ensembles performing simultaneously in six venues in Clarksburg’s business district. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Benedum Jazz will feature four ensembles in three venues, playing at varying times throughout the day on Dec. 10. Seth Maynard's Holiday Special will take place noon to 1:30 p.m. at Maplewood and Dan Baker's Yuletide Guitar at Mia Margherita's at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.
The event will culminate with a double-billed dinner show at the Benedum Civic Center with the Holiday Jazz All Stars, and opening band, The Yule Cats.
The Holiday Jazz All Stars are Harrisburg’s Steve Rudolph on piano, DC-based Victor Dvoskin on bass, Mark Cappellini of Morgantown’s Cappellini Studio on drums, and soloists, Shinnston’s Randall Hall playing saxes and clarinet, Charleston, West Virginia native, Vince Lewis, on guitar, and Reggie Watkins from Carnegie, Pennsylvania, on trombone.
Opening for the All Stars are The Yule Cats, led by Elkins’s Seth Maynard on guitar and vocals, with Randraiz Wharton on organ, Eric Cappellini on drums, and Rich Norwood on sax.
Bridgeport Arts Council plans a four-course Italian-style small plates/ tapas presentation designed by Mia Margherita of Charles Pointe. Meal designers anticipate a salad course, pasta or soup course, an entrée and a dessert.
The dinner priced at $35 per person is an option for those attending the Holiday Jazz All Stars 
performance. Dinner guests will receive VIP seating preference. Doors open and music begins at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Beverage policy is BYOB, with beverage assistance available in the venue. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit BAC programming throughout the year.
performance. Dinner guests will receive VIP seating preference. Doors open and music begins at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Beverage policy is BYOB, with beverage assistance available in the venue. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit BAC programming throughout the year.
Dinner reservations or $35 per person are available by email to: Tickets@WVJazzSociety.com, or by phone to 304.517.9813. Greer is available at gee1mom@aol.com.
There is no admission charge for music only guests thanks to a grant from the Harrison Cultural Foundation’s Barbara Highland Fund for the Arts.
“The folks in Bridgeport are taking advantage of having the artists already in the area, which makes it lots easier and affordable to schedule,” said Mary Kay Greer, BAC chairperson. “Plus we end up with one of the most talented bands playing on the East Coast that night.”
The small plates/ tapas menu was recommended to BAC by the West Virginia Jazz Society based on their experience working with Mia Margherita last April in the PWA Uptown Event Center in Clarksburg.
“Our introduction of Small Plates Dining into the local market was very well received,” said Eric Spelsberg, WVJS president. “Almost everyone who came for the music also opted for the dinner. Those who did not wished they had when they saw how people were enjoying the different dishes designed by Mia Margherita.”
For additional information on the Holiday Jazz Weekend in Harrison County, the Uptown Jazz Stroll, Benedum Jazz or the West Virginia Jazz Society, visit: WVJazzSociety.com, email: WVJazzSociety@aol.com, or phone 304-517-9813.
Pictured from top are Watkins, Hall and Lewis. Cover photo features Watkins and Hall.
