Mongoose Junction will hold its annual “Evening in the Courtyard” from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26. It will be packed with special events for an evening of fun and shopping. It’s a great opportunity to do Christmas shopping because for every purchase at any Mongoose retailer or restaurant, shoppers will receive a raffle ticket. The prize is a $1,000 shopping spree! The more you shop, the more tickets you receive, the greater your chance to win the drawing. The drawing will be held at 8:30 p.m., and the ticket holder must be present to win.
Many Mongoose shops will feature activities and presentations. For the art lovers, they include Steve Simonsen showcasing his new 2011 calendar and playing his documentary from 7-9 p.m. at the Friends VINP Store. The documentary is about leatherback turtles and was filmed on St. Croix. There will be a special show at Bajo el Sol featuring giclees of oil paintings by the late Maria Henle. Raised on St. Croix and the daughter of photographer Fritz Henle, she was an extraordinary artist and avid environmentalist with a passion for creating large landscape paintings and color etchings. Her images were captured from the Caribbean, Europe, the Southwest United States, Mexico, Nepal, Bolivia, Ecuador and Iceland. She is known for her trademark layered multiple images. Caravan Gallery will feature Turkish flat-weave kilim carpets, Uzbek Suzani’s embroidered bags of many (smaller) sizes and Turkish jewelry from Radha’s recent buying trip to Istanbul. The Best of Both Worlds – Arts & Design Gallery will showcase new bronze sculpture work.
Jewelry aficionados will get the pleasure of viewing a special showing at R&I Patton Goldsmithing of jewelry by George Sawyer, who will be present at the show. Sawyer is featured in Engagement 101 magazine’s "Top Wedding Ring Trends of 2010" video, introducing the Koi & Wabi Sabi Collections. These are one-of-a-kind rings with continuous, seamless patterns; each of his designs is made by one goldsmith from beginning to end. Every piece bears the initial of the goldsmith that created it, along with Sawyer’s signature and the date the piece was produced.
Fashion lovers will be seeing Bougainvillea’s beautiful new holiday dresses and accessories. Fabric Mill will be kicking off its shopping season with lots of great new designs. Bamboula will host two fashion shows— one at 5:30 p.m. in the Mongoose I Courtyard and the second at 7:30 p.m. in the Mongoose II Courtyard. The shows will be Liz Putnam productions starring local models.
Foodies, take note. Sun Dog Cafe and Gecko Gazebo Bar will showcase their new dinner menu and offer free samples that will be paired with a wine tasting from a newly expanded wine list, hosted by Premier Wines and Spirits, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Join them for happy hour specials at 4:30 p.m., then be seated by 5:30 p.m. to enjoy half-price appetizers until 6:30 p.m. The Tap Room will be showcasing their new food menu for this season. From 5-9 p.m., they will offer their menu at 50 percent off. Ocean Grill will have special pricing on Moet Champagne the “Evening in the Courtyard.”
For more information, contact Michael Barry at 244-9713 or by e-mail at michael@sundogcafe.com
