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| Port Colborne’s Flavours Of Niagara Festival An exciting musical and cultural collaboration awaits Port Colborne's waterfront with the participation of Sugarloaf Harbour Marina into the 2008 installment of Flavours of Niagara – International Food, Wine and Jazz festival. The crème of jazz, blues, contemporary and classic rock and swing are set to descend on the city June 27th – June 29th with some of the best sounds to be found anywhere in the Niagara region, promising an entertaining and action packed holiday weekend. As music lovers and food connoisseurs fill HH Knoll Lakeview Park, the picturesque water-front will be the preferred location for residents and tourists from across Ontario and Western New York. A full list of activities, are being scheduled at the Marina, including a 20th Anniversary Celebration Dance commemorating the milestone weekend for the facility, members and public. The Johnny Max Band – a "hard working, rockin' boogie band that has been a fixture of the Southern Ontario Festival circuit for over 12 years" will provide live music. With their eclectic mixture of soul, Chicago style Blues, country and R 'n' B, they are a crowd pleaser, providing an entertaining time for everyone, young and old. Building on the 2007 Flavours of Niagara International Food, Wine and Jazz Festival, the weekend promises to be filled with great food, good fun and first class entertainment. Premier musical acts being showcased include both new and returning performers, such as The Snags, George Lake Band, Uptown Swing Band, and Flat Broke, as well as Steve Burnside with the Marquis and the Rod Nixon Project. Adding to the ambience, local restaurants and wineries from among the best in the region will offer selections from their menus and wine lists, providing something for all ages and tastes. A beer garden offering international beers and domestic Molson products rounds out the atmosphere. Information about the weekend is available online at www.experienceportcolborne.com and www.flavoursofniagara.com The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), host of the longest running fireworks series in Canada, is pleased to announce another summer of fireworks and concerts. Queen Victoria Park's Illumination Stage across from the American Falls is home to FREE Coca-Cola Concerts at 8:00 p.m. followed by Pizza Pizza Falls Fireworks at 10:00 p.m. NPC will light up the skies every Friday, Sunday and holiday from May 16 to August 31. Bonus shows (fireworks only) have been added for every Wednesday in July & August and for every Friday from September 5 - October 10, 2008. It's the perfect family outing! Visit www.niagaraparks.com for more information. OLSON FOODS + BAKERY AT RAVINE WINERY SET TO OPEN JULY, 2008 St. Catharines, ON – Celebrity chef Anna Olson of Food Network's new hit "Fresh with Anna Olson", and well-known "Sugar" along with husband Chef Michael Olson of the Niagara Culinary Institute and Global's "Canada in the Rough" are joining forces with Niagara's newest winery, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, in St. Davids, Ontario. With a solid four years of retail business under their belt, Anna and Michael Olson will bring the successes of their existing Port Dalhousie bakery and gourmet retail store to the forefront of the winery operation, offering freshly baked breads, delectable sweets, lunch and picnic options to eat in or take out. Also offered, will be ready-made dinners and accompaniments, an exceptional selection of artisanal cheeses and a vast array of gourmet retail products. Experienced staff will provide guests with knowledgeable suggestions on recipes, products, gifts and wine pairings. The location will house a wood-fired bake oven, and homemade pizzas will be available daily. Most exciting is the on-site catering for weddings and corporate functions that follow the Olson mantra "eat fresh, eat local". Groups can plan to dine in the ambience of the barrel room or al fresco, perched atop Niagara's famed St. Davids bench. The partnership of the Olson family and the Harber family is a natural one. Says Anna, "We're thrilled to be able to partner with a wonderful family who values quality in food, wine and business, and who treasures the local heritage of the region." "Our menus will reflect the seasons and feature local ingredients prepared at their prime, typical of our style", says Michael, a pioneer of Niagara regional cuisine. Paul Harber, one of three sons, is actively assisting in the project. An aspiring chef with stints in New York City, and Stadtlander's Eigensinn Farm under his belt, Paul will soon travel to Europe to complete his immersion in a food culture he plans to instill in the family operation. The Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery site - the 34 acre upper Lowrey Farm - was acquired by Norma Jane Lowrey Harber's ancestors in 1867, in the centre of the historic village of St. Davids. The heritage "Packing Shed, " for decades a cherished feature on the York Road farm, has been reconstructed to welcome visitors to experience the tastes of the region. Completing the historical ambience, the winery hospitality centre will be located in the old William Woodruff House, circa 1814, currently being faithfully restored to the village under the direction of Jane Burgess, Stevens Burgess Architects, Toronto. Surrounding the quaint, rural streetscape is perhaps the most incredible vineyard site in Ontario. As the original bed of the rushing Niagara River, on the brink of ancient Lake Iroquois, the vineyard's unique soils are perfectly suited to great viticulture. Plantings include the classic Bordeaux reds, Chardonnay and Riesling, under the direction of reputed Canadian winery consultant Peter Gamble. Fortunately, many of Ravine's '06 and '07 vintages will be ready for the July opening of the Olson deli/bakery. While the Ravine site will be the exciting new flagship, Anna and Michael will retain their shop in Port Dalhousie and divide their time between the two operations. Please visit www.olsonfoodsandbakery.com for regular updates on the opening of Olson Foods + Bakery at Ravine. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |