St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser featuring Wild Blue Yonder Band and MountainRose Vineyard

Big Stone Gap — The Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum are accepting ticket reservations for the St. Patrick’s Day Bash on Saturday, March 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Wild Blue Yonder Band” will provide entertainment to accompany a selection of Irish-themed dinner options and a wine tasting with MountainRose Vineyard. The St. Patrick’s Day Bash offers an opportunity to enjoy a taste of Ireland in the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park’s Victorian Parlor with an evening of flavorful foods and delectable music.

Whether playing a lively reel or a haunting Scottish Folk song, Wild Blue Yonder’s love of Celtic music shines through every note. All three members of the rootsy ensemble from East Tennessee are veteran entertainers who deliver their music with passion and sincerity. Each also boasts a bit of Irish or Scottish ancestry, which lends an authenticity and richness to their Celtic sound. Wild Blue Yonder has endeared audiences with warm harmonies and old-time banjo and fiddle across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina since its inception almost 20 years ago.

Band founders Melissa Wade (guitar and vocals) and Philip Coward (banjo, mandolin, vocals) write the group’s original material. Fiddler Cindy Wallace performed for many years at Dollywood, Music Mansion and other Sevier County theaters. Audiences at Wild Blue Yonder’s shows often learn some history of Scottish and Irish tunes as well as being entertained by them. The group’s appreciation for Celtic lore, language and song informs each performance, and their unique arrangements bring a fresh voice to ancient melodies. Wild Blue Yonder has produced three CDs, two of which have received airplay on various Folk and Bluegrass radio stations in the U.S. and abroad.

The wine tasting will be provided by MountainRose Vineyard of Wise, VA. MountainRose produces a small number of cases of wine annually from hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes to ensure quality. Most of the grapes go to their classic “mines to wines” series with fun coal seam names, such as Jawbone and Pardee, and the rest head to the new varietal line of premium wines, such as Riesling and Cab Franc.

The ticket price for the St. Patrick’s Day Bash is $20 per person, which includes dinner and the show. Beverages provided by MountainRose Vineyard must be purchased separately. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is limited to 44 participants, so purchase your ticket today. The registration and payment deadline is Friday, March 6.

All proceeds from the St. Patrick’s Day Bash support the Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The mission of the Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum is to act as a Citizens Support Organization (CSO) in assisting to identify and promote activities to conserve, enhance, and interpret the cultural and historic resources of the Southwest Virginia Museum.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please contact the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at 276/523-1322.