Noted Chef Jacques Pépin, pictured here with Rebecca Alssid, the Director of the Culinary Arts Program at Boston University's Metropolitan College, will host "The Big Event," a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Program. (Photo (c) Hilda M. Morrill)

On Wednesday, October 28 award-winning chef, television personality, renowned teacher and author Jacques Pépin will host "The Big Event," a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Culinary Arts Program at Boston University's Metropolitan College.

The anniversary event will include food and wine tastings from at least 60 restaurants, wineries and breweries, as well as book signings by famed authors who teach or have taught in the program -- with Chef Pépin himself presiding over the evening's festivities.

Co-founded by Pépin and cooking luminary, Julia Child, the Culinary Arts Program provides instruction from acclaimed professional chefs through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on cooking experience in a state-of-the-art kitchen. Students also study food from a wide range of nutritional, historical, and international perspectives.

The fun begins at 6 p.m. in the Art Gallery at 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.

Advance ticket orders are required, as no tickets will be sold at the door. To register, call 617-353-9852. For more information, click on "The Big Event" pages of www.bu.edu/foodandwine/culinary.

Orchid Show Taking Place at Tower Hill

Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Mass. will host "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," the Massachusetts Orchid Society's annual orchid show, which takes place on Friday, Oct. 30 from 1-5 p.m. and Saturday, October 31 & Sunday, November 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thousands of breathtaking (and sometimes spooky!) orchids will be on display throughout the Visitors Center and around the Orangerie at Tower Hill. This show is known for its spectacular variety, creativity and informational value.

As Orchid Society member Joanna Eckstrom explains, "...with the dozen or so orchid societies and individual orchid enthusiasts who participate, 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered' is sure to be one of our best efforts ever." Some of the orchid societies participating in the show include: A&P Orchids, New Earth Orchids, Frosty Hollow Orchids and more.

Orchid vendors from across the country will offer a wide variety of plants, supplies and even jewelry for sale. Art and educational exhibits will be held each day of the show and experts will answer orchid growing questions from visitors.

Also, members of the Massachusetts Orchid Society will offer demonstrations on orchid care, instructional videos, and guided tours of the show. One exciting addition to this year's Orchid Show is a judged "Fragrance" category.

Although the judging sessions themselves are not open to the public, the results of the judging will be on display at the show. As Eckstrom explains, "Orchid scents range from delightfully sweet to sickeningly fetid; orchid scents 'turn-on' at different times of day (to attract their pollinators)."

The show and its associated programs are free with garden admission. Tower Hill Botanic Garden is located at 11 French Drive, Boylston, Mass., exit 24 off Route 290. For further information, call 508-869-6111 or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

"Open Studios" Scheduled for Roslindale

The Roslindale Arts Alliance announces the "5th Annual Roslindale Open Studios" on Saturday November 7 and Sunday November 8. There will be an opening Preview Reception on Friday November 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Longfellow House, 880 South Street, Roslindale. All are welcome to attend.

The event offers the public two days of viewing unique art from more than 97 dedicated artists. Local artists will open up home studios and display in local businesses and group sites in over 44 locations throughout Roslindale Village. Art media that will be represented include: paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, printmakers, mixed media, glass, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and more.

An added feature this year will be a children's art venue sponsored by the Roslindale Arts Alliance and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts that will take place at Sacred Heart School auditorium, 1035 Canterbury Street, Roslindale. The theme for the children's art is "Create and Recycle a Gift for Someone Special."

Project stations coordinated by RAA coordinator Lisa Monaci Englert, community volunteers, Girl Scouts and their Leaders will offer the following art activities using a wide variety of recycled materials collected and donated by ROS participating artists: decorate a wood birdhouse, decorate a seashell wreath, make an Ojo de Dios (God's Eye), make Thanksgiving themed gift bags or make a bead creation. Children of all ages are welcome to "make art."

Roslindale Open Studios is a program of the Roslindale Arts Alliance (RAA). The RAA is a nonprofit organization run by artists that is dedicated to a shared cultural vision for the Roslindale community. Information about RAA is available at www.roslindalearts.org. For information about Roslindale visit www.roslindale.net.

Roslindale Open Studios will take place each day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Information about Roslindale Open Studios is available online at www.roslindaleopenstudios.org. At the site you can sign up to receive email updates about the event. You can also request a full-color brochure that will include a listing of all artists, studios, sites and related events with a detailed map.

Roslindale Arts Alliance and Roslindale Open Studios are supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a municipal agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Enjoy!

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