The Cumberland Valley School of Music will celebrate it’s Annual Elegant Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 23, 2008 starting at 6:00 pm at the Beistle Corporation Ballroom, Shippensburg, PA.  This year they will celebrate A TRIP ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, traveling from Paris to Istanbul!  Event chairs Suzanne Trinh and Jerrold Sulcove and the CVSM Board of Directors are working hard to ensure that this is the most entertaining evening yet.

            The “black tie optional” evening features exquisite food prepared by seven of the areas finest chefs and music for dancing provided by the fabulous “Kenny I Orchestra” from Philadelphia. 

This year the chefs will prepare an amazing array of food sampling cuisine from different European countries, all of which is available to be sampled.

The menus are not yet available, but chefs this year will include:

• Kathy Pugh – Kathy’s Deli Boeuf Bourguignon, Gratinee de Coquilles St. Jacques, Oignons Au Gratin, Haricots Verts Almandine
• Roger Tappen – Shrimp and Orzo with Charcoal Roasted Grape Leaves, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Garlic-Caper Butter, Mediterranean Marinated Grilled Vegetables(Portabellas, Asparagus, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Red Bell Pepper, Fennell,Dolmades, and Feta Cheese), Pork Souvlakia; G Grilled Marinated Pork on Roasted Peppers, Onions, and Artichokes
• Pat Young  – 7-P's Deli & Catering Salmon Roulade with Roasted Tomato Chutney; Beef Rouladens with Spiced Braised Red Cabbage; Three Potato Gratin with Apples and Leeks
• Eric Baker – The Niche - Budapest:   Teres Major Restelyes with Roasted Garlic and Charred Tomato-Bell Pepper Relish; Paris:  Pan Seared Scallop with Roasted Eggplant Puree and Tomato Chip Potato- Red Beet Gratin Roasted carrot - Fennel Tartlet
• Mike Tosten, Ronald Berger & the county’s finest culinary arts students – Franklin County Career and Technology Center – Culinary Arts – Lavish Salad, Cheese & Home Baked Bread Station
• Ty Beegle – T-N-T Connection –  Assorted Desserts: Black Forest Cake, Petit Fours, Truffles, Bakalava, Plain Cheesecake,
  Pecan Praline Cheesecake, Carrot Cake and Coconut Cake with lemon curd filling
• Wine, Beer, and Sodas will be available for purchase
• Premium and "Special Collection" wines will also be available!

Entertainment will start even before the doors open, as a CVSM faculty string trio comprised of Deborah Stotelmyer (violin), Jessica Owens (viola), and Michael Cameron (cello) will provide musical performances as guests arrive.  The doors to the hall will open at 6:00 PM, and soon after the incredible Kenny I Orchestra will take over first with dinner music and then with music for dancing. 

Back by popular demand, Kenny I demonstrates superior musicianship and unparalleled showmanship and personally guarantees that everyone will have a fantastic time.  He himself plays violin, trombone, and guitar.  His large band features singers, horns, and rhythm section.  Kenny himself is often on the dance floor leading the guests in the Electric Slide, Conga, line and circle dances.  Through it all, his energy and enthusiasm is infectious, which is why he has been called “the most phenomenal musician/entertainer to come down the pike in years”. 

               In addition to entertainment and fine dining, there will also be a raffle  and a silent auction featuring more than 50 wonderful items. (Last year's auction items included a private flight from Hagerstown to New York City for a very special dinner; one week vacation on Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; a night lodging at several hotels; golf packages; several gift certificates for dinners at area restaurants; music performances by professional musicians; tickets to events; DVD players; floral arrangements; gift baskets; and many other fine items.)    

Tickets for the evening are $100, or a table of eight for $700.  Early reservations are encouraged since the event often sells out.

            The dinner dance is made possible with generous support from corporate sponsor F&M Trust.  Other area corporations and businesses will be invited to sponsor a "coach" on the Orient Express -- more details will be coming soon.  All proceeds from the event benefit the Cumberland Valley School of Music, a non-profit member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts with locations in Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Mercersburg, and Hagerstown.  For more information or to reserve tickets please call CVSM at (717)-261-1220 or visit us at our office on the campus of Wilson College, 1015 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, PA.

            The Orient Express leaves Shippensburg at 6:00 pm .  tickets are limited.  Make reservations EARLY!

2008 SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE LIST

Roger Tappen's column in the Public Opinion - 2/20/07

Directions to Beistle Center:  Take route 81 to exit 29 (Formally exit 10).  If traveling north, turn right; if traveling south; turn left.  Travel approximately 1/2 mile.  You will see signs for the Meadowlark Mall on your left.  Pull into the lot and come in and join the fun!

Click on the links below for information about last year's dinner dance!

VIDEO - 2007 "Mardi Gras" Dinner Dance

Photos of 2007 Elegant Dinner Dance: "Mardi Gras" below (click on photo to enlarge):