By PAUL STANSBERRY

Contributing writer

On Jan. 31,  Ariel Winds blows into town for a musical Lunch with the Arts program at the Community Arts Center. The all female wood wind quintet will present works by Beethoven, Ravel and Reicha. The quintet members are:Kathryn Farenish, flute;Erin Gustafson, oboe; Anthea Jackson, clarinet; Gili Sharett, bassoon; and Misty Tolle, horn.

Founded at the Juilliard School in1998, Ariel Winds consider themselves “messengers of music.” They have toured broadly across the UnitedStates and are currently playing their way across Kentucky and Tennessee. Hailed as technically brilliant, refined and innovative and recognized for playing deftly, virtuosically, expressively and with intelligence, Ariel Winds connects with audiences of all ages.

This ensemble has delighted listeners in some of North America’s most prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall’sWeill Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Merkin Concert Hall.They were winners of the Artist International Auditions and recipients of a Chamber Music America Rural Residency in Stephenville, Texas.

Renowned for their fantastic family concerts and educational programs, Ariel Winds created interactive concerts for the NY Philharmonic School Partnership Program, the 92nd StreetY, and Young Audiences of New York and Connecticut. Members of the ensemble are graduates of the Juilliard School, McGill University, Boston University, and the Mannes School of Music.

According to Eric Booth, author of “The Music Teaching Artist’s Bible:” “Ariel Winds have developed one of the most inventive, flexible and effective education programs I have ever seen in a chamber ensemble. Their program and skills are very effective, educationally and musically, and their classroom work is engaging and musically complex. Education is a passion of theirs. The Ariel players bring skillful, imaginative, articulate teaching techniques to all the education situations they can create. I believe they represent the chamber group of the future; a team as excited to light up a classroom of students as a concert hall of adults – all with the range of skills to accomplish both. All five gifted players are also skilled ambassadors for classical music.”

As part of Ariel Winds mission to support music education, they will present a masterclass with members of the Boyle County High School band, following their Lunch with the Arts presentation.

Online: arielwinds.com

facebook.com/arielwinds

youtube.com/watch?v=oYP2i2E-llo

IF YOU GO

Lunch with the Arts: Ariel Winds will be noon-1 p.m. Jan. 31 at CAC. Cost is $5/door.

ON EXHBIT

New Year New Art – through Feb. 23: Explore over 60 brand-new works of art by the region’s top artists. 11am to 7pm, Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturdays.

COMING UP

• On Feb. 21, Lunch with the Arts will feature The Danville High School Forensics Team.

• Due to a snow cancellation in January, Erika Holmquist-Wall, Chief Curator for Louisville’s Speed Museum, has rescheduled her program for Feb. 28, when she will discuss the Speed’s current exhibit “Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism.”

COMING UP

• Starry Night Studio: Cardinals and Berries: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 30, $28/person. Instructed by Amanda Hendershot, this peaceful woodland scene is sure to brighten up your house this winter. Register online.

• Drawing 101 for Teens and Adults: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, through Feb. 15. For ages 14+, instructed by Brandon Long.

• Clay Jewelry: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through Feb. 28, instructed by Stacey Chin.

• Kids Visual Arts: 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays, through Feb. 14, for preschoolers/kindergartens up to third-graders.

• Pottery for Kids: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through Feb. 28, for first- through sixth-graders.

• Art Adventures (Drop-Off Preschool Art Class): 10-11 a.m. Fridays, open to children ages 3-5.

• Homeschool Elementary Drawing: 1-2 p.m. Fridays, through Feb. 16.

• Munchkin & Me: 10 a.m. Thursdays; free preschool art class for children ages 18 months to 4 years with an adult caregiver. This class follows the Danville Schools weather closings.

Register online at www.communityartscenter.net