Dinner and a Show Featuring the Merling Trio is Feb. 23

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Gordon State College will host Dinner and a Show featuring a three-course dinner in Highlander Hall followed by a performance by the internationally renowned Merling Trio.

The event is Tuesday, Feb. 23. Dinner seating is between 5 and 6 p.m. with the musicians taking the stage at 7:30 p.m.

The Merling Trio - Renata Artman Knific on violin, Bruce Uchimora on cello, and Susan Wiersma Uchimora on piano - is recognized as one of today's premier ensembles.

The Merling Trio has given numerous recitals throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Members of the Trio have performed with orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, and the South Carolina Philharmonic, under the baton of such notable conductors as Daniel Barenboim, Simon Rattle, and Christoph Eschenbach.

The Merling Trio takes its name from the Danish violin maker, Paul Merling. Uchimura performs on an Enrico Marchetti cello, made in Turin, Italy, in 1899. Knific's violin, fashioned by Vincenzo Postiglione in Naples, Italy, dates from 1898.

Dinner will feature a choice of appetizer, steakhouse salad or lobster corn chowder. The main course features a choice of New York strip and shrimp with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans; lobster linguini with tarragon cream sauce and garlic crostini; lemon and thyme chicken oscar with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans; grilled wild salmon with roasted tomato risotto and confetti vegetables or roasted tomato parmesan penne. Diners will also have a choice of dessert, home style cheesecake or double layer chocolate cake.

The event is $25 per person and requires reservations. To make reservations, call 678-359-5052. Dinner seating is 5 to 6 p.m. and due to time constraints, no one will be seated after 6.

A shuttle service will be available between the Fine Arts parking lot - just behind the Fine Arts building near the corner of Spencer and College - and Highlander Dining Hall.

Tickets for the show only are available at the box office for $10 adults, $7 senior citizens and $5 for students.