FROED One Government Center Fall River, MA 02722-7700 Tel 508-324-2620 Fax 508-677-2840 info@froed.org		TRAVELING GOURMET 'Art of Dining' stroll will stop at city restaurants, nightspots The Herald News, Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Page B1 Fall River - “The Art of Dining Stroll,” a night of sampling delicacies at downtown/waterfront eateries while local artists entertain with music, dance and fine arts and trolleys tour the loop, will take place Thursday night. It will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m., followed by a later "hot spot" loop of pubs until midnight. Tickets are $20 for eats at the dining stroll spots and one drink, with free parking available at the 3rd Street garage. The event is sponsored by the Office of Economic Development’s special events committee. “The city of Fall River hopes to create a memorable evening with this event,” Mayor Robert Correia said. “While artists are showcasing their work, local restaurants will be showcasing their specialties by offering sample plates to event participators. My hopes are that the event will generate business for local restaurants, which in turn will stimulate the local economy.” It’s the third time this summer Correia has brought in city trolleys to tour area restaurants. Trolleys ran after Fourth of July events and after “Lizzie Borden Live” was performed at the Eagle Center for Performing Arts, said Patrice Cloutier, director of cultural development and tourism. “This event is a building block,” Cloutier said. “Our goal is to stimulate the local creative economy and have a positive economic impact on local dining establishments by creating a dining cluster that will attract more business and make Fall River a vibrant destination city.” The restaurant dining tour will start by Government Center at South Main Street and will include Bella, Clipper, Cinderella, Gelato House, Mesa 21 (at the Cherry & Webb Gallery,) Sagres, TA and Trio on South Main and Columbia streets, and the Water Street Café. Mesa 21 from President Avenue is setting up in the Cherry & Webb Gallery, 139 S. Main St., to bring more restaurants into the loop, Cloutier said. She encouraged others from outside the downtown area to participate by contacting her through Correia’s office. Proceeds will go toward expenses, with about $1,100 in seed funds supplied by the Downtown/Waterfront Revitalization Committee of the Greater Fall River Chamber of Commerce under its Fall River Now emblem, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Also, Ray's Flower Shop will create special arrangements outside each eatery to highlight the restaurants’ style and show participating locations, Cloutier said. About six trolley stops, starting on South Main Street, will bring participants onto Bradford, Broadway, Columbia and Eagle streets. Trolleys will then head to Water Street and make a loop back to South Main, organizers said. Among entertainment and activities offered, the L.A.G.O.A. Gallery will showcase Portuguese art at the Cherry & Webb Gallery, and the Fall River Storefront Artists Project on Columbia Street will feature Silver Screen Studios with photographer Robert Martin. The Spindle City Ballet, Andrea Belanger and Isabelle Morimoto will perform throughout the loop and fine artist Joshua Oliveira will be painting throughout the evening, along with several other artists. Trolleys will provide transportation in the restaurant loop from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The late-night “hot spot" loop will feature the Raw Martini Bar, Sky Lounge, Flaunt, St. James Pub and Belmont Club. Also, the Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., will offer a 10 percent discount for performances from Aug. 27 to Sept. 30 at the Narrows to those that wear their “Art of Dining” buttons. Anyone wishing to purchase or reserve tickets can contact Cloutier at 508-667-8929 or WSAR’s Ryan Phelan at 508-678-9727. To pick up tickets, a table will be set-up outside the Government Center plaza the night of the event. Back