WARREN - The distinctive sound of jazz and the unique blend of the old and new at the Nat Porter Restaurant will converge during a fundraiser next Thursday. The newly renovated restaurant will offer appetizers and a live jazz quartet, and the bar will be open for business. (The price of a ticket does not include beverages.)

"The fundraiser should be a great time. It's essentially a cocktail party. It should be an all around really fun night. It's about getting people together to support local businesses in the community," said Jen Vincent who, with her husband, Nigel, owns the Nat Porter Restaurant.

Members of the newly organized Discover Warren merchants' group recently met at The Coffee Depot to discuss future plans. Afterwards, members who were present posed for a photograph.

There will also be a raffle whereby gala-goers can take a chance to win items like works of art created by local artists and gift certificates. Another feature will be an auction of larger ticket items. The plan is to offer works from local artists with the base price of the item going to the artist, and any money collected above that added to the funds raised.

The event will provide advertising capital for the upcoming Warren Walkabout, an expansion of the popular Artists Open Studio event that has been held annually in town in recent years. The fundraiser will raise cash for advertising, banners and posters to spread the word for the October event.

"We're taking the open studio event and turbocharging it," said Michael Lamar, who owns Altimira Lighting on Joyce Street.

The Warren Walkabout is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 24. On that day, a number of shops in town will be open, some offering a special discount. At Central Fire Station on Railroad Avenue about a half dozen local restaurants will host "A Taste of Warren," a new event feature, from noon to 4 p.m. Restaurants will showcase and sell their specialties at that time.

"It will help to transition people to Cutler Street, to Main Street, to Water Street," Ms. Vincent said.

2nd Story Theatre will also present a couple of dramatic vignettes from a Moliere play to entertain those attending the October event. The Warren Walkabout is being planned by Discover Warren, a fledgling organization that has taken flight since April. The group is an association of more than two dozen people and includes merchants, artists and anyone interested in promoting the town.

"Discover Warren is basically a newly formed merchant association promoting Warren financially and otherwise. Anyone is welcome to join," said Mr. Lamar.

While Ms. Vincent and Mr. Lamar have been instrumental in getting the fundraiser off the ground, they stress that the fund-raising gala is a community endeavor made possible through the efforts of Mt. Hope Enterprise Zone director Alan Crisman and business owners.

What: Discover Warren Fundraising Gala; finger foods, music, raffle and auction

Where: Nat Porter Restaurant, 125 Water St.

When: Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.

Auction time: 8 p.m.

Admission: $20 advance sales; $25 at the door

Tickets available at: Nat Porter Restaurant, Dish, The Coffee Depot and the East Bay Chamber of Commerce

By Cindy VanSchalkwyk

Contributing Writer