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Love just may have been in the air at the Speed Art Museum on Feb. 9, but then again, so were the sounds of live music, the aromas of hors d’oeuvers and the chatter of excited guests.
The museum hosted an early Valentine’s Day party entitled, “PAMA & Passion,” which was open to the public and co-sponsored by PAMA, a vodka-pomegranate mixed liqueur. The cost of the event was minimal, for museum members $7 and for nonmembers $15.
PAMA, the world’s first true pomegranate liqueur, is a complex mixture of all-natural pomegranate juice, premium vodka and a splash of imported tequila. It’s 34 proof bottling makes it easy to mix and its tart taste and seductive color of all-natural pomegranates makes it a poplar drink in special occasions – especially Valentine’s Day.
Running wild with the themes of love and PAMA, the museum’s statue hall was flanked with tables bearing beautiful floral arrangements with floating pomegranates inside of the glass vases. Finger foods varying from chocolate-covered strawberries to sandwiches (potential aphrodisiacs) were offered to accompany the many drinks available to attendants.
As part of the entrance fee, each guest was given two tickets for free drinks. As part of their sponsorship, PAMA supplied multiple options of PAMA mixed drinks ranging from PAMA cocktails to PAMA champagne to even PAMA mojitos. Additional samplings were available for $2 for the explorative guests.
Mark Rollins, Associate Curator of Education, School and Teacher Programs, played the role of Cupid and led patrons through the museum observing artwork of lovers and lust. Selected pieces such as the “Prodigal Son Tapestry,” “A Couple Reflected As Ulysses and Penelope” and “Mademoiselle Duclos as Ariadne” were just a few of the works highlighted in the tour.
Additionally included in the cover charge was local fortuneteller Tracy Karem, who read attendants’ love fortunes and a gift basket raffling. The museum and PAMA provided a stunning Valentine’s Day gift basket of PAMA, martini glasses and other supplies a romantic couple may need for the coming holiday.
For a great final touch, the museum brought in local artist and legend, Tanita Gaines, to entertain the crowd. Gaines, having been given the title of Kentucky’s “Official State Song Bird,” by former Governor of Kentucky, Brereton C. Jones, is a Louisville native and local legend. Her wide range of vocal styles and musical genres was evident in her eclectic selection of songs from the classic pop song “We Are Family” by The Pointer Sisters to “By Your Side” by the rock band Sade.
Gaines has been a vocalist in several bands including Anatomy, The Joe Wells Blues Band and more. She has also opened for artists like James Brown and KoKo Taylor, and countless other headliners.
The evening offered a perfect ambiance for sophisticated fun and entertainment and will hopefully become an annual event for the museum. Whether single or romantically involved, the night of PAMA & Passion is an event that no patron should miss next year.
For more information about upcoming events at the Speed Art Museum, PAMA or Tanita Gaines, visit www.speedmuseum.org, www.pamaliqueur.com and www.tanitagaines.com, respectively.
