By Bill Forrester
S

tep right up! Come one, come all to the extravaganza that will shake your soul and stir your spirit. Bossier Arts Council’s ARTini returns for its 12th year as “Cirque du ARTini” on Saturday, June 11 at the Bossier Civic Center.

“Think vintage circus,” said Robin Jones, executive director of BAC, in describing the theme. “We will have fire-breathers, jugglers and aerial dancers, as well as live music.” It is certain to be a night of extravagance and wonder, but the real stars of the show will be the martinis made by 25 of Shreveport-Bossler’s best mixologists. And these will not be any old dry concoctions. “They go all out with their drinks,” Jones said. “You can’t make a simple martini and expect to win.”

 

The mixologists compete in three categories: Judges’ Choice, People’s Choice, and Most M’artisanal. The prizes are one-of-a-kind, hand-painted works by the event’s featured artist. This year, that artist is Lisandra Di Liberto Torres. Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to Shreveport in 2010 and soon after became known for her paintings of red cows with wings. “Red cows are indigenous to Puerto Rico, and the wings symbolize how she misses her homeland,” Jones said. Di Liberto Torres was named one of eight “Louisianians of The Year” in 2014 by Louisiana Life Magazine, and she was recently chosen as one of 13 regional artists whose works were exhibited as a part of “The Latino Art Project” in Little Rock, Ark., to celebrate Latino culture.

 

Upon arrival to Cirque du ARTini, patrons will receive their own unique martini glass and have the opportunity to sample all the competing martinis while they enjoy the thrilling, big top-style entertainment. They also will receive an olive token to vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice category. Patrons can bid on a selection of themed gift baskets in a silent auction.

 

Many of the competitors work year-round to develop the recipe for their signature drink each year, Jones said. Bossier Arts Council provides the alcohol, and the rest is up to the mixologist. Some competitors craft their martinis based on the theme of the event, while others tap into the theme of their restaurants.

 

The inspiration for ARTini came years ago out of a desire to spotlight a forgotten component of the art world. “The concept came about because a lot of visual arts and performing arts were being showcased, but not a lot of culinary arts,” Jones said. “We needed a fundraiser and wanted to highlight the culinary arts, specifically mixology.” 

 

ARTini is the Bossier Arts Council’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds go to support local artists, programming, and outreach projects for the year. Tickets are $75 and are available, along with more information, through the Bossier Arts Council’s website, www.bossierarts.org.