ORANGE — Ask Me Now has been hired to play jazz standards, blues and Brazilian music at the 2026 Dinner by the River, which will be held at Riverfront Park on Saturday, Aug. 29.
“We’ll be adding to the ambiance, without competing with the conversation. I think we’re well-suited for this affair,” said vocalist Frances Rahaim. “We were delighted to be asked to play this, of course.”
She mentioned a music set has been designed specifically for the occasion.
Organized by the Orange Revitalization Partnership, Dinner by the River is an annual event that helps raise money for Orange parks and community projects. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with live music, an art show and a social hour, followed by dinner at 6 p.m.
During the social hour, guests can enjoy artwork by Susan Marshall, a nationally renowned muralist, and Robert Osborne, a contemporary art dealer and accomplished artist. Both will be on hand to meet attendees and discuss their work. Beverages will include selections from Home Fruit Wine, a local winery.
Dinner will be prepared by Black Crow Catering of Athol. Guests can choose between balsamic chicken or vegetarian lasagna, accompanied by side dishes and dessert. Tickets, $35 for adults and $20 for children ages 12 and younger, are available at Quabbin Harvest Food Co-op at 12 North Main St. in Orange, or by calling 508-246-2361.
Polly Bixby, the Orange Revitalization Partnership’s treasurer and one of Dinner by the River’s founders, recalled how she and some other folks in town had wanted to put together an elegant gathering.
“It’s just a wonderful event, as long as we have good weather, which we should this year. It was really just one year where we had to go to Town Hall [two years ago], but that wound up being a good event as well,” she recounted. “The idea was, ‘Let’s do something nice for the people in town.'”
Dinner by the River will be held rain or shine under tents donated by Seeds of Solidarity Education Center.
Advance ticket purchases are required by noon on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle and gift basket raffles made possible through donations from area businesses.
The Orange Revitalization Partnership welcomes additional sponsors who are interested in donating gift baskets or gift cards. Businesses wishing to participate are encouraged to contact Event Chair Brenda Black at 978-780-4777.
