CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH WINE AND JAZZ

WHEELING, W.Va. (January 26, 2009)- -Oglebay Institute is pleased to offer two evenings of entertainment - perfect for Valentine’s weekend.

The Art of Wine takes place at 6:30 p.m. February 13 and includes a sampling of five delicious wines, a buffet of light foods and a theatrical reading of the award-winning play “The Fourposter.” Cost is $37/$32 for OI members.

Written Jan de Hartog in 1951, “The Fourposter” has been a smash hit both on and off Broadway and received a Tony Award for Best Play. This endearing comedy is a wonderful chronicle of a husband and wife as they go from their wedding night to the day they move 35 years later. They fret and quarrel, laugh and cry in the same room with the fourposter bed in which they began their married life.

Accomplished actors Rachel Podwika and Tim Thompson will perform the reading of “The Fourposter.”

Jazz at the Stifel, featuring Pittsburgh jazz legend Benny Benack takes place at 8 p.m. February 14. The event also includes a complimentary tasting of a variety of cheeses from the Cabot Creamery Cooperative. Desserts are available for purchase. Cost of the show is $20.

The Benny Benack Band prides itself in achieving a level of versatility that defies conventional labels. From Big Band Swing to Dixieland Jazz and from Broadway to the hits of today, The Benny Benack Band gives each song its own unique contemporary feel.

Benny Benack Sr. left his mark on the local music scene as a performer, bandleader and teacher. Most notable was his “Beat ‘em Bucs” theme song for the 1960 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. Today it’s still a family affair as his sons Benny Jr. and Flip, and more recently grandson Benny III carry on the tradition. The band is no stranger to West Virginia, with more than 100 appearances at The Greenbrier, 25 years at The Charleston Festival Regatta and countless Morgantown appearances cheering on the Mountaineers among its credits. This, however, is their first performance at the Stifel Fine Arts Center.

Their debut recording is titled Carryin’ On to represent the tradition and to capture the great time they have playing together.

Both events takes place at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Call 304.242.7700 to reserve seats. Sponsored by H.E. Neumann Co., the wine tasting season continues each month through June. Jazz at the Stifel, sponsored by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, features some of Pittsburgh’s finest jazz artists and continues in March with The White Tie Group.

Located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling, Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is also a teaching facility welcoming students of all ages in art, dance, fitness, crafts and more.