Hungry for culture, hundreds of people will bring their appetites to the Baton Rouge River Center on Friday night to sample both the city’s finest cuisine and art.
Clear Channel Radio and the Arts Council of Baton Rouge will host “A Taste of Baton Rouge,” the city’s eighth annual fundraiser for the arts, at 6 p.m.
Leigh Truluck, Clear Channel Radio marketing manager, said the event will feature more than 100 different food and wine vendors like Galatoire’s and Mansieurs on the Boulevard.
Nicole Palfi, past accounting executive of Clear Channel Radio, said she has attended and loved the event every year.
“It’s like going out to eat to 100 different restaurants,” she said.
Palfi said she likes how some of the wine vendors spend time talking with the tastetesters about how they make their wines.
Truluck said other booths will represent art gallery exhibits such as hand-made jewelry.
Katherine Scherer, Arts Council deputy director, said attendants will witness firsthand what the city offers in the food and art industries.
“It is a great opportunity to try the signature dishes of almost every great restaurant in town,” she said.
She also said some booths will be solely devoted to local artists including four jewelers and one spoon maker.
Truluck said the event, which includes live music, is as fun as it is successful.
Scherer said the community’s interest in arts is continuously increasing, and the Arts Council attempts to maintain a steady flow of culture for the city.
Truluck agreed the arts are necessary to maintain the culture of the Red Stick.
“Baton Rouge has grown so much, and it is great to have the arts grow with it,” she said.
Scherer said the nonprofit organization raises funds year-round for the arts campaign, which contributes to benefits like art in classrooms.
“Studies show that art at young education improves math and science scores,” Scherer said.
Scherer said the Arts Council focuses on the betterment of city life as it sponsors more cultural offerings like the Arts Market, which allows artists to sell their work directly to the public.
She also said the arts are a crucial factor for the state’s economy.
“The more cultural offerings we have, the more visitors we will gain,” she said.
Scherer and Truluck agree the collaboration of Clear Channel Radio and the Arts Council is a solid partnership. They also said this duo will donate tremendously to the progress of the city.
“We hope the public will support our efforts,” Scherer said.
Tickets for “A Taste of Baton Rouge” are $45 and can be purchased at the door or on ticketmaster.com.
The attire is dressy casual, and attendants must be at least 21-years-old.
—Contact Lindsay Gallmann at [email protected]