Newport News & Hampton, Va

Join Bacchus, the God of nature, vine and wine for a "Feast of the Elements" Feb. 3. Taste fine wines from around the world and fabulous food selections prepared by area restaurants, enjoy a variety of live entertainment and a huge silent auction, all in one night, for a great cause. It's all at the Eighth Annual Bacchus Wine and Food Festival Friday, Feb. 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News.

"Bacchus has invited his elemental friends this year: Air, Earth, Fire and Water Gods and Goddesses will help our guests seek their destiny and find their own 'elemental' sign. This event appeals to all ages – over 21 of course!" says Rebecca Kleinhample, assistant director of development.

The evening features tastings of more than 30 wines from California, Virginia, Argentina, Chile, Italy, Spain and Australia.

Also featured are 18 local restaurants including: Bella Cakes, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Chef by Design Catering Co., Cozzy's Comedy Club, Fazoli's, Fin, First Ladies Tea Parlor, Moe's Southwest Grill, Pearl French Bistro, Q Barbeque, Riverwalk Restaurant, Schlesinger's, Simply Chic Event Planning, Smokin Joe's BBQ, Starbucks, Trader Joe's, Waypoint Seafood & Grill and Wild Side Café.

Enjoy a wide variety of local musicians throughout the evening. Denny Fohringer performs on acoustic guitar. Martha & Triple Threat plays rockin blues, while Phoebus Rio performs country to Cajun, bluegrass to blues, rock to folk and everything in between. Alamo Entertainment will 'spin' in Club VLM 'Elements,' featuring live local radio personality Kevin Kennedy with Movin 107.7.

Hugh Koontz will perform magic, Donna Christensen of Picasso will provide professional face and body painting and Melissa Kempley of Magickal Attic will perform psychic readings.

Tickets are $50 by Jan. 31, $60 after Jan. 31. Tickets can be purchased at the museum, by calling 757-595-1900 or online at thevlm.org.

The evening begins with a Divine Reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Enjoy blissful hors d'oeuvres from Smithfield Station, highly rated (90+) wine selections, music by the Matt Lockhart Trio and a select silent auction. A Richmond race package and a Northern Virginia overnight wine tasting trip will be featured. Tickets for the Divine reception are $100 per person (includes entrance to the entire evening).

"Our local sponsors, restaurants and entertainers who generously partner with us create a fabulous event at a great value for our guests. Bacchus is always so popular and truly helps support our conservation and education mission," Kleinhample said.

The silent auction includes everything from gift baskets and golf greens fees to paintball, ice cream cakes, massages and more!

Dress is from casual to cocktail.

Presented by Hampton Roads Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (Drs. Fithian, Swenson, Carter, Cavazos, Aldridge, Baddar). Also sponsored by Old Point Trust, Old Point National Bank, Shred-it, Associated Distributors, The Abbitt Group Inc, CH2M Hill, Kaufman & Canoles, Virginia Health Services, LTC and Mrs. Robert Ciraulo (RET), OysterPointer, Movin 107.7 and Bob Harper Photography.

The museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, I64, exit 258A.

For more information call 757-595-1900 or visit www.thevlm.org.