Sunday, January 04, 2015

The Omega and Alpha of Years at The SOHO

In what has become an annual tradition among the artistically minded people in and around Monroe County, PA, The SOHO in the BURG Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held it's 3rd New Year’s Eve Party on Wednesday December 31st, 2014 since the establishment opened its doors in 2012. As incredible as it seemed, this year's celebration transcended the one welcoming 2014 as the culinary treats created by Chef G (aka Guarino Cortese C. W. C.) chefIIgo@yahoo.com and served throughout the evening by male and female butlers whose grace enhanced the flavor of the morsels delighting the pallid while the music provided by DJ Jose Santamaria who also curates the Castle Inn Gallery in Delaware Water Gap, PA www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Inn-Art-Gallery filled the air and dance floor with happy spirits. The night was a memorable one made even more so through the conversations shared among a wide variety of party goers whose number were even more plentiful than those attending last year's gathering.

I arrived at the venue a bit early which provided me with an opportunity to witness to the great amount of the care given in the making of preparations for the evening. Every glass to be filled with seasonal elixirs, every hors d'oeuvre conjured to be eagerly consumed, and holiday adornment placed to beautify the visions of the eye that touched it were done with a love that would later permeate the soul that partook of it. It wasn't long before the first of many celebrants entered the large gallery with many following them soon afterward. The expression of their eyes and countenance as they crossed the gallery's threshold displayed a deep love for it and it's owner which created an atmosphere of profound intimacy that would linger in the heart throughout the coming year.

Those who were invited to the event were asked to bring a bottle of whatever they would like to drink throughout the evening. This allowed for a variety of liquors and liqueurs to be shared among the denizens ranging from the smooth flowing flavors found in PA Dutch Eggnog as well as the potency found in a bottle of extra dry gin that was so dry one would swear it was powered. However, a plentiful assortment of wines were the popular choice of beverage and while many were opened and joyfully served by Kevin, the evening's bar tender, a number of bottles were opened with the aide of an eroticized electronic bottle opener by two wily women whose cork popping antics delighted the spectators who witnessed them.

In addition to the wine and other liquids, the music flowed through the room inspiring conversations as their minuets of words moved eloquently between trivial and meaningful topics to the rapid rhythms and beats provided by the sounds of the variety of musicians and singers who were set free of the electronic bonds they found themselves captured within by the evening's DJ who opened the doors that held the music back within its computerized confines so it can freely roam among those whose social intercourses would lead to dancing. It was in the midst of the abundant dancing and the plentiful conversations did the midnight hour approach. A quiet excitement filled the room as glasses of champagne were handed out while the televised countdown displayed upon a computer monitor commenced toward the zero digit. Cheers, hugs, and kisses exploded among the gathering as the appointed time arrived and each glass was raised to welcome the new year and to express a profound appreciation to the gallery's owner and others who made the evening a celebration of the heart.

Thank you Andrea Robbins Rimberg (owner of The SOHO in the BURG Gallery), Kathleen Lockwood (Community leader and Andrea's Landlord), and everyone who made the evening great and Happy New Year. I experienced a few midnight kisses so you know where I'll be spending New Years Eve next year. Smiles. You’ll find more photographs taken during The SOHO in the BURG Gallery New Year’s Eve party in The New Years Eve 2014 at The SOHO Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153471943843761.1073741826.91146283760&type=1 as well as other events that occurred at the gallery and neighboring galleries in The Stroudsburg Art District 2014 Archive at www.facebook.com/forwardian.dude/media_set?set=a.10152239353790421.1073741877.636000420&type=3. While the majority of the photographs were taken by Paparazzi Paul (that's me), a number of them were taken by photographers who borrowed my camera to take some shots of their own. They are Charles de Burbon of www.bgastudios.com and Alisa Tongg www.facebook.com/AlisaTonggCelebrant.

The SOHO in the BURG Gallery is located on the corner of 6th and Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA which was the location of the J. J. Newberry’s store. The gallery opened its doors to the public in April of 2012 and is owned by Andrea Robbins Rimberg who has become well known for her exuberant energies and creativity as many of her pieces are on display in prestigious galleries throughout the United States. The first exhibition to be presented at the Gallery in 2015 will open on Friday February 13th with an Artists' Reception featuring the works of Penny Ross www.pennyrosspainter.com, Jill Swersie www.jillswersie.com, and Andrei Protsouk www.facebook.com/AndreiProtsoukArt along with the work of local artists in a group show titled, “Black Valentine.” The exhibition will continue to be on display until the end of March. You can learn more about SOHO in the BURG, their future exhibits, and all the gallery has to offer the creative community by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Soho-In-The-Burg-Gallery.

Photograph by Paparazzi Paul

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