three glass of white red and rose wine with dim light in wooden restaurant table with a grape background
One of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC)’s most popular programs, 3 Blind Wines, returns this November with a new date and new partners, but with the same twist on wine tasting. The event teams YAC with community organizations for a joint fundraiser. One of the Arts Council’s recognized skills is organizing and producing events. The Board and staff recognized that, through partnerships on YAC’s annual events, they could expand support to community partners while streamlining the efforts of local nonprofits.
The TAX and JOBS ACT impacted donations to charitable organizations by changing the level at which donors qualify for a tax benefit. This has caused an increase in nonprofits seeking to produce events to raise funds to make up for those lost donations. The Arts Council recognized that two organizations working together could spread the workload, coordinate volunteer efforts, and reduce fatigue on the donors who generously support cultural, health, and community service organizations.
This year the Arts Council will be partnering with the Lafayette County Literacy Council. Through programs that provide books to children, the coordination of the LOU Reads Coalition, and adult literacy education, the Literacy Council is changing lives through reading.
Three Blind Wines is very simple. Participants pair up in teams of two, and there are two ticket options. First, the $45 Team Ticket is for two people, and they are responsible for purchasing three bottles of the same wine from one of the participating liquor stores (Star Package, Kiamie Package Store, Social Wine & Whiskey, Magnolia Wine & Spirits, and High Cotton). The wine can be left at the stores for event staff to pick up before the event.
The second option is the $110 Sommelier Ticket, which covers two people and includes three bottles of wine picked by our sommelier. Ticket discounts are available for Arts Council members.
When participants arrive at the Powerhouse (we suggest one of Oxford’s many taxi services to ensure a safe ride home), two bottles from each team will be wrapped and numbered, to await the tasting. Participants will have an hour and a half to taste as many wines as they like before voting for their favorite using the numbers on the bottles. Whichever team brought the night’s overall favorite wins every team’s third bottle of wine. Past winners have walked with 60+ bottles of wine!
Art lovers, bibliophiles, and oenophiles: this is the event for you! Tickets are available online at www.oxfordarts.com!
