{"id":116112,"date":"2023-02-16T22:44:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T03:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=116112"},"modified":"2023-02-16T22:44:47","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T03:44:47","slug":"artsquest-announces-2nd-annual-ginvitational-spirits-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=116112","title":{"rendered":"ARTSQUEST ANNOUNCES 2nd Annual GINVITATIONAL SPIRITS EVENT"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><em>Presented in partnership with Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain, the cocktail celebration and educational event will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Bethlehem, Pa, Feb. 16, 2023\u2014\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922081000&amp;usg=AOvVaw31gemnwUBbJthO1E3zyDuD\">ArtsQuest<\/a>\u00a0announces its 2<sup>nd<\/sup>\u00a0annual Ginvitational, a celebration of cocktail culture featuring gin, bourbon, vodka and more, taking place on Sunday, June 4, 2023. This spirited event, produced in partnership with Jay Nee of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.juniperandgrain.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/www.juniperandgrain.com\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0v9A8frL7AFTlRssUiTv_-\">Juniper and Grain<\/a>, will be held at the ArtsQuest Center in the Musikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling, from 1 to 5 p.m., with Premium Access beginning at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets can be purchased now on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.steelstacks.org\/event\/13753\/the-ginvitational\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.steelstacks.org\/event\/13753\/the-ginvitational\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw01ts5cT__2YxY4kQW7iK8u\">steelstacks.org<\/a>. Tickets start at $34 for ArtsQuest Members and $39 for the public. See website for additional pricing, including premium access. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/member.artsquest.org\/artsquestcircle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/member.artsquest.org\/artsquestcircle&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_tSryXCaTyj0DPWFAKk8a\">ArtsQuest Circle\u00a0donor<\/a>\u00a0today.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;We really enjoyed helping Jay bring his vision to life last year and working with him to make this year&#8217;s event bigger and better,\u201d said Ryan Hill, ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming. \u201cThere&#8217;s no one in the Lehigh Valley better equipped to celebrate cocktail culture than Jay Nee and we&#8217;re glad for the opportunity to work so closely with him.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Nee brings more than twenty years of beverage hospitality experience to the table. Since moving to the Lehigh Valley from New England 15 years ago, he has worked in the beverage hospitality industry in a number of roles. He helped develop one of the most interesting wine programs in the area and launched a recurring wine education night that has entertained hundreds of guests. He has gone on to present more than 400 wine, beer and spirits events for thousands of guests.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cJuniper &amp; Grain is thrilled to once again partner with ArtsQuest to present our 2nd annual Ginvitational,&#8221; commented Jay Nee, founder of Juniper &amp; Grain.\u00a0&#8220;This event has grown to showcase nearly 100 spirits of all types from near and far. It is our goal through education and demonstration, to empower our guests to elevate their own cocktail skills for home entertaining (and really just to have some fun). It\u2019s such an exciting time to be able to explore such wonderful craft producers. Utilizing the skills of the area\u2019s best mixologists, we have so much great content. Bring some friends and raise a glass.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Guests of this event will be introduced to spirits from a long list of local, national and international distillers including the Ginvitational Lounge sponsor Edrington who will be featuring their No. 3 London Dry Gin, Wyoming Whiskey, Noble Oak and Naked Malt. Distillers and distributors include Bello Wines, Big Spring Spirits, Black River Farms &amp; Wardog Spirits, Caledonia Spirits, Catskill Provisions Distillery, Christmas City Spirits, County Seat Spirits, Doan Distillery, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Eight Oaks Distillery, Kilimanjaro Distillery LLC, KLYR Rum LLC, Lucky Sign Spirits, Magical Spirits, Manatawny Still Works, Oasis Wine &amp; Spirits LLC, Palm Bay International, Silverback Distillery, Social Still Distillery, St. George Spirits, Vintage Wine and Spirits and Wigle Whiskey.<\/p>\n<p>Nee will present these spirits along with educational seminars to help take attendees\u2019 cocktail knowledge and skills to the next level with topics such as Icebreaker, Syrups\/Shrubs, Life of the Party, Infusions and Gin is In. The event will also feature food from some of the area&#8217;s top restaurants \u2013 The Bayou, Whiz Kids, and Colonial Pizza &amp; Spaghetti. Additionally, NiteLiters LLC will be spinning soul, funk and lounge classics.<\/p>\n<p>Premium ticket holders will enjoy exclusive access to the first hour of the Ginvitational (11 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.), access to the Chasing Cocktail Classics seminar from Edrington as well as a custom cocktail shaker can.<\/p>\n<p>Guests are also invited to join Jay and ArtsQuest on Thursday, March 30 for a French Wine Dinner. Purchase tickets at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.steelstacks.org\/event\/13741\/the-french-wine-dinner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.steelstacks.org\/event\/13741\/the-french-wine-dinner\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Ia0g26OMjF012fOeKkNp-\">steelstacks.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>About ArtsQuest<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.artsquest.org%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cglaracca%40artsquest.org%7C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%7Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%7C0%7C0%7C637576358671898242%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=qPVIpR%2FRInovxL9QI3A2g70YqGCDQonGaoBc4BJTwj8%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.artsquest.org%252F%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cglaracca%2540artsquest.org%257C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%257Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%257C0%257C0%257C637576358671898242%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DqPVIpR%252FRInovxL9QI3A2g70YqGCDQonGaoBc4BJTwj8%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3iRxN_mB8UI0-V14rJzAJ6\">ArtsQuest\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest\u2122 supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.<\/p>\n<p>Through festivals such as its flagship event,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.musikfest.org%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cglaracca%40artsquest.org%7C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%7Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%7C0%7C0%7C637576358671898242%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=VqABwtM7GEn%2Bj4M9OLwpsnqEfxGxlCH9p028RM3c85I%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.musikfest.org%252F%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cglaracca%2540artsquest.org%257C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%257Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%257C0%257C0%257C637576358671898242%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DVqABwtM7GEn%252Bj4M9OLwpsnqEfxGxlCH9p028RM3c85I%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qWZKS1U78z3E1wLKUTPHR\">Musikfest<\/a>; the<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bananafactory.org%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cglaracca%40artsquest.org%7C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%7Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%7C0%7C0%7C637576358671908204%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=cdJz8QgM%2Ft6B%2B9kvACQvfFUhFGGQHx43qNJf1QsLypk%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.bananafactory.org%252F%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cglaracca%2540artsquest.org%257C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%257Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%257C0%257C0%257C637576358671908204%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DcdJz8QgM%252Ft6B%252B9kvACQvfFUhFGGQHx43qNJf1QsLypk%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Cl4t-RoVBV3QdbL1UJbt6\">\u00a0Banana Factory Arts Center<\/a>; and the ArtsQuest Center at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.steelstacks.org%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cglaracca%40artsquest.org%7C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%7Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%7C0%7C0%7C637576358671908204%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=zSp0XZUAhto4lqM2CzAoRqzw0r9KQhj11BWY79uTs44%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.steelstacks.org%252F%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cglaracca%2540artsquest.org%257C85e951810bff41acafc808d92051f420%257Ccc02ab2a6d6b4d40bbea69da313d0873%257C0%257C0%257C637576358671908204%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DzSp0XZUAhto4lqM2CzAoRqzw0r9KQhj11BWY79uTs44%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676685922082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qGVymVHicJ5ziOTiYvjqY\">SteelStacks<\/a>\u00a0arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest\u2019s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization\u2019s programs and events, approximately 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Information provided to TVL by:<br \/>\nJennifer LoConte<br \/>\nCommunication Director<br \/>\nArtsQuest<br \/>\nChief Operations Officer<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/\">http:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Presented in partnership with Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain, the cocktail celebration and educational event will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2023 Bethlehem, Pa, Feb. 16, 2023\u2014\u00a0ArtsQuest\u00a0announces its &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=116112\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">ARTSQUEST ANNOUNCES 2nd Annual GINVITATIONAL SPIRITS EVENT<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":116113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[69,482],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-valley","category-press-release-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/gin.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116112"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=116112"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116112\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/116113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=116112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=116112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=116112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}