LAFAYETTE ( La.) –PASA's Spring Fling Dinner, a lavish five-course gourmet meal on Friday, May 7, and PASA’s Wine Tasting Tour through four exquisite residences in River Ranch on Friday, May 14 will provide to great encounters for gourmands and oenophiles, all the while benefitting Performing Arts Society of Acadiana's  (PASA's) programs that bring performing arts to the entire community.

 

PASA's Spring Fling Dinner is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at the countryside home of arts patron Michelle Vallot and sculptor Russell Whiting.  This spectacular culinary celebration annually delights food and wine lovers with a fabulous dining experience in a picturesque location. Chef Jude Tauzin of the Village Café will be the event's Chef de Cuisine. The five-course dinner begins with sparkling wine and hors d'oeuvres and is followed by four other courses, each paired with wine.

 

 The two events, billed together as PASA Wine Pairings, are important fundraisers. Money raised from these events helps support performances, as well as PASA's Daytime Performances for Students; PASA Plus, which provides free performances and activities for senior citizens; master classes and outreach programs; "Play It Again, Lafayette," a musical instrument recycling program, and more.

 

PASA Wine Parings is sponsored by IberiaBank and Glazer's Companies of Louisiana.

 

"Our wine dinners are always fantastic," says Joanie Hill, the co-chair of the event. "The beautiful setting of Michelle's and Russell's home will mark the first time this event has been held at a private residence."

 

PASA’s Wine Tasting Tour in River Ranch on Friday, May 14, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the City Club of Lafayette and winds its way through four homes located in River Ranch, including the Mediterranean-inspired home of George and Roxanne Graham, the gracious home of Steve and Cherry May and the elegant home of Mike and Cheryl Thompson. PASA Wine Tour-goers will walk along the beautifully landscaped paths to the designated homes or climb aboard complimentary transportation to make their way from home to home throughout the evening.  

"We have planned a fabulous gourmet feast for a great cause," says co-chair Conni Harris-Smith. "Add to that Russell Whiting's sculpture studio and we are sure to have a visual feast as well."

 

At each stop along the way, an array of vintages represented by Glazer's Companies of Louisiana will be paired with gourmet samplings from area restaurants, including: Charley G's, Osaka, Tsunami, A La Carte, Village Cafe, iMonelli, Zea’s, Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant, and Café des Amis.

 

Tickets can be purchased separately or in combination. PASA Wine Tour tickets are $50, and PASA's Spring Fling Dinner tickets are $150.  For tickets, call PASA at 337 237-2787 or visit www.pasa-online.org.