Live jazz highlights Library's wine tasting event Saturday

Jazz legend Carrie Jackson will be featured.

Jazz legend Carrie Jackson will headline the Plainfield Public Library's annual 'Wine Discovery' wine tasting event this Saturday at the Library from 4 to 7 PM.

Usually also showcasing one of Plainfield's grand homes, this year's event -- the 10th annual tasting -- will be at the Plainfield Public Library itself, where the award-winning new Rain Forest-themed Children's Room will be featured.

Ms. Jackson and her Jazzin' All-Star Tio will be performing poolside in the Library's signature atrium, which will serve as one of three tasting stations for the event.

Plainfield's own Harry Ailster will perform Gershwin favorites in a café setting in the Anne Louise Davis room, where a photography exhibit of East Coast blues musicians currently graces the walls.

The PAAAS Jazz Octet debuted at January's Friends' annual meeting.

The third tasting station, in the Reading Rainforest, will feature the PAAAS Jazz Ensemble. This octet of students at the Plainfield school district's Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies features tenor and alto saxes, trumpet, trombone, bass, piano, drums and guitar. Under the leadership of director Greg Williams, who is also mentor, coach and champion, the young men made their debut in January at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library (FOPPL).

This year's tastings will highlight the wines and wineries of New Jersey, including two Pinot Grigios, a Riesling and a Barbera. The buffet will feature fancy hors d'oeuvres, entrees and desserts.

Sponsored by FOPPL, the annual event raises funds in support of Library programs. This year's projects include --

• The Adult Literacy Program, offering basic literacy, ESL and GED instruction;
• Reading is FUNdamental, offering youth the opportunity to own books and build their own library;
• The Local History Program, offering historical Plainfield resources online for researchers and genealogists.

In 2011, the Friends raised $37,500 in support of Library programs.

Tickets are available at the door at $60/person or $100/couple.

I'll be there, and look forward to seeing you there, too.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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