There's more to life than chocolate: that's why we added the jazz! Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum invites you and your Valentine (or any or all of your single friends) to an evening of jazz...dipped in chocolate. The event will feature the sweet sounds of Michelle Cruz, who will be playing an assortment of love songs of different generations from The Great American Songbook. We'll transform the Blithewold Dining Room into a cool jazz club, creating just the right ambiance to enjoy a sampling of chocolates and wine. This delectable combo makes a perfect gift for your special someone. Tickets for Blithewold Members $25, Non-members $30 Space is limited, so please register early at www.blithewold.org/events

Michelle Cruz is a singer/songwriter who blends jazz, folk and rock in her music. Named "Sultry" by the Jeff Buckley International Newsletter, Michelle (a 3 time Motif Music Awards nominee) has opened for Judy Collins, appeared at WXPN's World Cafe Live and was asked to pay tribute to the late folk legend Odetta at a 2010 MLK Jr. Day Celebration. Michelle recently landed in the Top 15 for the Lilith Fair Local Talent Search. She has been featured in print media including Sodade (Cape Verde) and Blurt magazines, and made several appearances on Fox's morning show, "The Rhode Show".

A career highlight proved to be her recent August 3, 2011 performance for "George Wein and Friends". "It was such an honor to be part of an event with the creator of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals. A dream come true." Michelle was asked to sing her Portuguese composition, "Deixa", for the President and First Lady of the Azores during their recent visit to the US which was documented by international TV station RTP. Michelle was recently signed to the Nevaeh Recordings Label (NYC) and was named "Best Jazz Female" at the 2011 New England Urban Music Award. Her album, "The Recovery" received the "Album of the Year" award for the Motif Magazine's Music Awards and was nominated for "Jazz Act of the Year". Cruz's songs from her newly released album, "The Recovery", have been receiving radio attention most recently from programs like "WGBH Boston's "Jazz with Eric in the Evening", NPR stations (90.5FM WICN and 90.9 WBUR) and other stations such as Boston's Touch 106.1FM and MVY Radio. Created in the two-year period following the unexpected death of her long-time love, Michelle Cruz's gorgeous, old-school sultry ‘The Recovery', is just that: an artistic reawakening, born from tragedy's devastation, a testament to the restorative power of art, music, and love.

We've partnered with DeWolf Tavern (259 Thames Street, Bristol RI, 02809 401.254.2005) to offer a special pre-concert pre-fixe dinner. Please let the folks at DeWolfe know that you're attending the performance at Blithewold when you call to make your reservation. You should allow a minimum of 1 hour and fifteen minutes to enjoy your meal.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum is a landscaped historic public garden and Rhode Island's only recognized arboretum. Situated on Bristol Harbor with sweeping views overlooking Narragansett Bay, the 33 acres of trees, lawns, flowers and gardens also features a forty-five room mansion filled with original antiques