Annual romance with chocolate plus love productions on Sunday
Part of the pleasure of eating chocolate is due to the fact that its melting point is slightly below human body temperature: it melts in the mouth.
And eating chocolate has been linked with the release of serotonin in the brain, which is thought to produce feelings of pleasure. In addition, indulgence in a moderate amount of dark chocolate has been found to be good for the body. It’s a rhapsody for the senses.
Is it any wonder that chocolate has been linked to the love feeling?
With that in mind, Backus Community Center hosts the sixth annual “A Chocolate Affair” from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day (Sunday) on the stage. Forty local chocolatiers will present their specialties.
All dimensions of delectable and delicious chocolate will be for sale.
Admission at the door is $10 per plate, on which chocolate lovers may sample handmade chocolates, specialties and candies to purchase for gift giving, or just to fill their personal cravings. Gift-wrapped boxes will be available for Valentine giving. And to accompany the sampling, complimentary beverages will be served.
For the first time, live interactive theater performances by “The Acting Machine,” directed by Naomi Woods and Debbie Griffith, will be part of the event. Live musical selections by local musicians will fill the air.
Those who attend may also bid to win the “Decadent Chocolate Desserts” — artistic creations donated by a dozen chocolate connoisseurs, according to Patti Ballan of Citizens for Backus/AB which is promoting the event. Tickets may be purchased at $1 each; or $5 for 6 tickets; or $10 for 15 tickets for a chance to take home these luscious and palatable works of art.
There will be small cafe tables set up here and there so chocolate lovers “can sit and enjoy,” according to Ballan. “It’s a nice little social break,” she added. “And many people stop by after church.”
Woods and Griffith will introduce the new “The Acting Machine” — currently comprised of thespians from the Falls High Drama Club. They will be intermittently performing “lazzos” which are gags, schtick, or physical comedy bits. “It’s allabout love and it is corny,” Woods said.
She explained that lazzos originated in Commedia Dell'arte, an historical theater genre in which performances weren’t written in scripts.
“It is an oral art form, for the most part, and died out around 1750,” Woods said. But Commeida's influence didn’t vanish, she said.
The actors will be mingling (in character) with the crowd. They have created their own costumes and characters — dependent upon the scenes and moods of the moment.
“There will be scene outbursts. There will be declarations of love. There will be fights. Weddings may happen,” Woods said. “One never knows with Commedia! It depends on how much chocolate the kids eat.
“But is all about love, BABY! “ Woods expressed. “Expect some odd characters.”
Some non-commedia characters will also be created for The Chocolate Affair. “Cupid will be there. Mr. Silent & Mysterious will attend,” Woods said. “Also, Mr. Heart-breaker thinks he might attend so he can break some more hearts. PLEEZE!”
Proceeds from The Chocolate Affair will benefit on-going Backus projects. “This has been one of our more successful events,” Ballan said.
If you go
WHAT: A Chocolate Affair
WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Backus Community Center
WHY: Sample luscious chocolate
creations to purchase for scrumptious Valentine’s Day gifts, or just to enjoy.
Witness improvisational theater by “The Acting Machine” and hear live music by local musicians.
More about “The Acting Machine”
Student actors from all schools in the area are welcome to join this thespian group, says Naomi Woods, who co-directs “The Acting Machine” with Debbie Griffith. More information is available on “The Acting Machine” Facebook page.
The group meets Thursday after school in the choir room of Falls High School in International Falls. Griffith and Woods are teaching acting, improvisation, voice, movement, the spoken-word and other aspects of theatrical performance.
Woods said the directors are currently testing the waters to see where the project goes. The goal at this point isn’t to put on a high school play, she said, but to do acting exercises and more studio work — scenes, shot plays, monologues, skits, and improvisation.
The Chocolate Affair is a chance for the public to see the process in which the students are involved.
Another current project involves a Dr. Seuss play, directed by Griffith.
