Join the Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley for the hottest party of the year on Saturday, June 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., as we kick-off of our summer blockbuster exhibition, Toulouse-Lautrec and His World.
The Museum’s lower-level auditorium will be set up as a nightclub lounge with tables and access to beverages including absinthe, a powerful drink popular in Lautrec's day. There will be two cabaret performances downstairs, one at 6:15 p.m. and one at 7:15 p.m., featuring burlesque dancers Bunny Bedford and Venus Mantrapp. Drawing on her theater training from DeSales University, Bunny combines elements of classic burlesque, cabaret dance, and comedy in her acts (www.bunnybedford.com). Venus got her saucy start in Jim Thorpe, PA, performing at the Mauch Chunk Opera House before a sold-out house and has been hooked on presenting her very own modern version of vaudeville ever since. You can follow Venus on Facebook.
In the Museum’s first-floor Kress Gallery, guests will be treated to a musical performance by Dallas Vietty, a jazz accordionist who specializes in the Parisian swing-waltz style of Musette and Gypsy Jazz. Dallas began playing the accordion in 2001 and has studied jazz and arranging at California State University Northridge and accordion performance with Stanley and Joanna Darrow at Acme Accordion School. As a soloist he performs widely, and won first place in the Free Bass category at the American Accordionist Musicological Society Festival in 2011 (http://dallasvietty.com/)
Museum caterer Karen Hunter Catering will take Preview Party guests on a culinary journey with French-inspired hors d'oeuvres, while the cash bar will feature French-style wine from Blue Mountain Vineyards in New Tripoli, PA. In 1986 owners Joe and Vickie planted the initial vineyard of five acres consisting of French Hybrid varietals such as Chambourcin, Vignoles, and Vidal Blanc (http://www.bluemountainwine.com/)
Mark your calendars and come help us recreate the feeling of a turn-of-the-century Parisian soiree and get a first look at the exhibit. Can-canning encouraged!
