From November 7-9 2009, visitors to Victoria, BC can mix and mingle with the city’s most notable mixologists and distillers at the Art of the Cocktail. The two-day festival launched as a fundraiser for the Victoria Film Festival is being held at the Victoria Arts Connection, located just minutes outside of downtown Victoria. Being touted as a celebration of the art, craft and tradition of the cocktail, guest’s will be able to wander the tasting room sampling a variety of delectable cocktails while catching tips from guest mixologists, authors and representatives in ongoing demonstrations. Other events include a competition for the Best Mixologist in the Pacific Northwest, Market Fresh Mixology and other new trends worth trying. Various workshops will also be offered such as Cocktails of the 1890’s looking back at the early classics; Molecular Mixology focusing on the art of creating unique textures and flavours with the use of foams and gels and The Comeback Kid examining the prevalent role that Absinthe is making in today’s cocktail culture. Tickets for the event will be available September 1, 2009 and are $35 CDN ($32 USD) with tickets for individual workshops at an additional cost. The Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites is the host hotel for the Art of the Cocktail and is offering special room rates for attendees beginning at $89 CDN ($81 USD) per night. For reservations call 1-800-663-5891 or visit www.chateauvictoria.com. For more information on the Art of the Cocktail visit www.artofthecocktail.ca.