Story by Karen Parr-Moody

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The idea behind the annual Champagne and Chocolates event at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is a simple, romantic one: Guests get to view art, nibble chocolate and sip champagne or wine. For five years, it’s been a winning formula.

But this year, the organizers are updating this glamorous event that occurs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at 200 South Second Street. Instead of the usual harp music, there will be a three-piece jazz band. Local professionals are donating their time as bartenders. And creative champagne cocktails will be added to the drink menu, which will also feature various types of wine, all from Bill’s Package.

Even the food is being tweaked. In addition to desserts supplied by local favorites such as The Looking Glass and Edward’s Steakhouse, there are some twists on the dishes. The Alley is supplying chocolate-covered bacon and Relish is making chocolate dipped nachos. Chick-fil-A, Canyon Road Steakhouse and Beer Garden and The Choppin’ Block are also donating food.

The first 100 guests will receive goody bags filled with homemade chocolates and mini bottles of champagne.

The event is a fundraiser for the museum. As usual, there will be a silent auction, which guests always enjoy. It will include nine gift baskets, works by 11 artists and fun items, such as a $100 gift certificate for a tattoo from No Egrets.

Naomi Conner, the marketing and sales representative at Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, said that there is a strategy behind freshening up the event.

“We’re now starting to educate the next wave of future supporters, young professionals,” she said. “So with a younger crowd, we just ended up bringing in different elements.”

The three major sponsors are Legends Bank, Jill Crow and the Clarksville Dental. To purchase tickets in advance, call (931) 648-5780.

Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.