Drinking Customs and Vessels edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady "The Art of Drinking" examines the social history of drinking and explains how and why such a wealth of extraordinary objects related to the custom came to be created. The book also explores how attitudes have changed through history and the way ritual and ceremony have shaped our relationship to drinking. Glanville's book is also replete with information on a wealth of surprising customs and entertaining facts about the taste for wine, beer, gin, rum and other alcoholic beverages.
Glanville was guest curator of "Drink: A History 1690-1920," a 2006-07 exhibition at the National Archives of the United Kingdom. She is also the author and editor with Hilary Young of "Silver and Elegant Eating" and is a former academic director of Waddesdon Manor, a late 19th-century home in Buckinghamshire, England, built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to entertain and to display his collection of art treasures.
When is a museum a good place to get a drink? Wine Tasting Will Accompany Lecture By V&A Expert Philippa Glanville Drinking customs and vessels and how they have changed over four centuries will be the topic of an event including a lecture, a book signing and a wine tasting March 12 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Philippa Glanville, now a senior research fellow and a former chief curator of metalwork at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, will lecture on the topic "Toasting and Tasting: The Art of Drinking." She is the author of the book "The Art of Drinking," published last year by the London museum.
The event will also feature a display, "A Celebration of Bacchus," in VMFA's Jerome and Rita Gans Gallery of English Silver. VMFA's Gans Collection is one of the finest assemblages of English silver in the world and includes superb silver and silver-gilt vessels that were made for the service of wine.
 Following the lecture, there will be a tasting of fine wines made from five of the nine classic grapes - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah. For each of the varietals, participants will be able to compare a wine from New World wine-producing countries with one produced in the Old World. In addition, each wine will be paired with a selection of light hors d'oeuvres.
Following the lecture and wine tasting Glanville will sign copies of her book. This pair of silver-gilt wine coolers, dated 1814/15, was made by Benjamin Smith II. They are 15-1/2 inches tall. They are part of the Jerome and Rita Gans Gallery of English Silver at VMFA. (Photo by Steven Tucker, © 2007 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)
Tickets to the event are $65 (members $50) and must be purchased in advance at the museum, by telephone (804-340-1405), or on-line (tickets.vmfa.museum).
Additional information is on the VMFA Web site at www.vmfa.museum. MORE ABOUT RICHMOND WHERE TO STAY The Jefferson Hotel is loaded with Southern charm and hospitality.
101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA. 23220
Tel. 804.788.8000
800-424-8014
www.jeffersonhotel.com WHERE TO DINE ZEUS
Zeus Gallery Cafe
201 North Belmont Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 359-3219 Acacia
3325 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 354-6060 Julep’s New Southern Cuisine
1719-21 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23223
804.377.3968
www.juleps.net BEST BREAKFAST PLANT ZERO CAFÉ BEST CHOCOLATE STORE For the Love of Chocolate
2820 West Cary Street Suite A, Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 359-5645 BEST VIRGINIA COOKBOOKCelebrate Virginia! Rowena Fullinwinder co-authored the Celebrate Virginia! book with James A. Crutchfield and Winette Sparkman Jeffery
Publisher - Thomas Nelson
Cost: $19.95 at Rowena's gift shop
and if you prefer eating to cooking, you can order her delicious creations online
http://www.rowenas.com/ BEST TIME TO VISIT ART GALLERIES The first Friday of every month , the galleries on W Broad Street and W Main Street are open from 7-10 for a night of exhibitions, food, drink, and socializing. It's a great opportunity to visit the myriad galleries and see the new exhibitions as well as to meet friends and hang out. Some galleries offer unusual entertainment such as Gallery 5's fire eaters. Others offer more usual fare such as Visual Art Studio's resident Cello player or Klezmer band. On a given First Friday there may be as many as 1200 people trooping through each gallery. The galleries began this tradition several years ago as a way to bring a reluctant and hesitant public downtown after business hours. It has gradually revitalized the downtown area, and many galleries and even restaurants have opened in the ensuing years. Now old buildings are being renovated into condos and apartments and Downtown is becoming "the place" to be again. Second Saturdays is beginning to take off as well - from 2- 5 PM the same galleries and restaurants are luring folks downtown for more of the same BEST PLACES TO BROWSE Visual Art Studio, 208 W Broad St, Richmond, 23223,(804) 644-1368. ARTWORKS Studios & Galleries With over 70 artists represented in ARTWORKS Studio and Galleries, you are sure to find just the right thing to suit your style and taste. Or to give as a gift. I went to Plant Zero for breakfast (which is in the same building) and left with an original photo print, a necklace, a handmade paper card and a holiday ornament. And most of the galleries were not even open yet. Imagine what damage I could have done if everyone was open. The huge gallery space offers original works of art by Virgniia artists—paintings, drawings, illustrations, photography, ceramics, sculpture, mixed-media, clothing, jewelry, gifts and much more. Best time to go is for the Fourth Friday Art Openings 7-10 pm. You can tour the studios, meet the artists and enjoy live music. Artworks is conveniently located ½ mile from downtown, just over the 14th Street bridge.
320 Hull Street
804-291-1400
info@artworksrichmond.com
www.artworksrichmond.com Artists to View I loved the hand painted stools by Ellen Burns Art Work. She also makes other groovey furniture. But by the time I got to Richmond, I had filled my suitcase with so many Virginia purchases; I could not even consider anything bigger than my purse. I will always treasure my holiday crystal ball filled with colorful, whimsical ribbon. Stop by her studio, even if you only have a little room left. She offers things in almost any size or color. Next time I will have to remember to drive a truck. Ellen Burns
320 Hull Street
Richmond VA 23224
804-674=6563
www.coolstools.com Shelia M. Gray
Mostly metal clock and paper sculptures. 420 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
Studio 161 in the Skylight
Gallery at Art Works in the Plant Zero Complex
Sheila@mixed-up-media.com Krishanna Spencer, Altered Artist The gallery director was wearing a necklace by Krishanna and I had to have it. I literally took it off her neck. And now I wear it every day—a wonderful reminder of my time in Virginia. Krishanna’s specialty is assemblage - putting together articles into works of art. She is also a writer. Maybe that is why I liked her work so well. We have professional karma. I hope she likes my writing as much as I like her art. Her art making and writing studio is dedicated to helping women heal and empower themselves through their creative spirit. In addition to clay sculpture, assemblage and collage, Krishanna is a freelance author and also currently hosts Goddesslore at BellaOnline.com, a column that explores women's spirituality through the feminine. You can reach her through Artworks 804 291.1400. Victoria Dye
Photography I got a wonderful print of Pacific Goose barnacles, abalone and red Mussels. But if I get tired of it, she has a free one-year exchange policy Victoria@victoriasimages.com
www.victoriasimages.com MOST ARTISTIC THING TO DO ON A THURSDAY NIGHT Thursday evening at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts enjoy Art After Hours
200 N. Boulevard Richmond, VA 23220
804 340-1400
www.vmfa.state.va.us BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR FEET RUBBED IF YOU HAVE BEEN WALKING TOO MUCH Slip Salon. Have Michael do a reflexology treatment on your feet. They offer lots of other great services—but I could get addicted to Michael’s reflexology treatments if I lived in town. Slip Salon
1331 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Tel: 804.343-SLIP(7547) BEST SHOPPING TIPS http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November07/4582ShopwithaPassion.html FOR MORE INFORMATION HELPFUL WEBSITES www.virginia.org www.visit.richmond.com GREAT GUIDEBOOKS THE THIRTEEN COLONIES
Travel Historic America
Fodor’s
www.fodors.com REVOLUTIONARY MOTHERS
By Carol www.aaknopf.com
Berkin Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf | 