SPECIAL EVENTS

AbsinthArt presents Absinthe: Revealed 2 - A Celebration of Tastings and Truths, Saturday, April 9, 2011. Celebration - 7:30pm till Closing. Presentations - 8:30 to 10:30pm.

Modern science triumphed over historic propaganda vindicating fine pre-ban absinthe of its alleged evils, leading to the U.S. ban being lifted December 2007. This Celebration seeks to dispel the myths surrounding this misunderstood spirit; expose an interested public to the smoothness, complexity and variety of tastes artisanal absinthes offer; and illustrate proper ways to drink them.

As with our successful debut event, a full house is expected at this 2nd-of-its-kind happening for Houston. The celebration will commence throughout AvantGarden, with live jazz and light hors d'oeuvres. Absinthe tastings traditionale--including a new release, and special cocktails, will broaden your taste adventure. To fill out the evening’s visual experience, a showing of Damian Hevia’s compelling absinthe images will be featured for sale, as well as reproduction absinthe posters.

Then as enchanting fairies pass by, you can make your way to the courtyard for presentations that will quench your curiosities. Terms like artemisia absinthium, Dr. Ordinaire, louche, dose, thujone, Legendré, Sazerac, and L’Heure Verte will be explained by Herbsaint historian and collector, Jay Hendrickson and renowned absinthe historian and Master Distiller of Lucid Absinthe, Ted Breaux--Viridian Spirits.

We urge you to be apart of the sights in your elegant attire—be inspired by steampunk and the Belle Epoch. For an entertaining way to introduce yourself to absinthe, or expand on what you know—buy a ticket soon at www.avantgardenhouston.com/absinthe.html.

WHERE: AvantGarden, 411 Westheimer, Houston 77006
HOW MUCH: $20 Entire event, $15 after 10pm.

SPONSOR INFO:
Ted Breaux / Viridian Spirits www.viridianspirits.com/home
Legendré Herbsaint historian, Jay Hendrickson www.neworleansabsinthehistory.com  
The Sazerac Company (Herbsaint Original) www.sazerac.com/otherSpirits.aspx  
Tenneyson Absinthe http://tenneyson.com/, Kubler Absinthe www.kublerabsinthe.com
St. George Absinthe www.stgeorgespirits.com  
Damian Hevia & Becky Cash, contributors www.dhevia.com/visions,  www.blurb.com/books/1818319,  http://archive.dhevia.com,  www.dhevia.com  
Mariana / AvantGarden www.avantgardenhouston.com/privateparties.html

ABSINTHE INFO:
http://www.oxygenee.com/absinthe-america/legalization.html 
http://www.wormwoodsociety.org/
http://www.feeverte.net/

Image above:
David Nathan-Maister’s (Oxygenee Ltd.) Reproduction Vintage Absinthe Posters
‘Absinthe Bourgeois, The Black Cat’ 1902
Art print of a charming design for Absinthe Bourgeois, shows an absinthe loving black cat enjoying a glass of the company's product. Nicknamed the "Chat Noir", it's became one of the best-loved absinthe images. Original size: 138cm x 99cm

Images below:
Damian Hevia Photographer– Absinthe Visions
‘The Muse’
A fairy emerges from the swirling louche and turbulent meniscus. Before you ever taste the absinthe, you are treated to an amazing display as the chilled water is added to the spirit. At first only some swirls then quickly a turbulence turning into the opalescent color of the “louched” absinthe. This process is fascinating to me and I set out to capture the various stages. Like watching clouds in the sky, you can make your own interpretations of the swirling shapes. This one for me has a beautiful feminine grace in the center of the swirls.

Image of Louche and 2 Spoons Title Below:
‘La Cuillere—Moderne’
Emerging from its past.

David Nathan-Maister’s (Oxygenee Ltd.) Reproduction Vintage Absinthe Posters
‘Absinthe Ducros Fils’, 1901
Creator: Leonetto Cappiello
Leonetto Cappiello's famous poster for Absinthe Ducros, showing an exuberant lady in red brandishing an absinthe bottle. Original Size: Approx 139cm x 100cm