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Community Corner

Kids Create Art and Eat Naya in New Workshop Series

At the Birdhouse Workshop kids will decorate their own birdhouse and enjoy a Naya kids meal in the new Naya Darien Commons location.

NAYA Middle Eastern Counter & Grill in Darien is proud to unveil its continued collaboration with the Darien Arts Center, introducing a new fall series: Create Art & Eat Naya. This initiative offers diverse programs for both adults and children, inviting Fairfield County residents to engage in artistic pursuits while enjoying NAYA's culinary delights. These distinctive workshops will run from late September to December, providing an avenue for creative exploration alongside authentic family-approved cuisine.

The partnership between NAYA and the Darien Arts Center commenced during the grand opening events on June 23 and 24, 2023. Patrons were encouraged to contribute as they wished for their first bowl or roll, resulting in a generous donation to the Arts Center equivalent to nearly 500 meals. Reflecting the synergy of the brands, a masterpiece was crafted during the opening festivities, now showcased at the Darien Art Center.

With autumn on the horizon, NAYA eagerly anticipates building on this success through the "Create Art & Eat Naya" series for both children and adults.

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"Create Art & Eat Naya" Children's Workshops: A sequence of imaginative workshops for children aged 5-8 will be held on the last Thursday of September, October, and November at NAYA (146 Heights Road, Darien Commons, Darien, CT 06820). Led by Darien Arts instructors, each workshop encourages young minds to explore their creativity.

Following each session, participants will be invited to enjoy NAYA’s "Little Habibi" Kids Meal, featuring a base (rice or salad), a protein choice (Chicken Shawarma, Chicken Shish Taouk, Beef Shawarma, Kafta Lamb Kebab, Cauliflower, or Falafel), up to five toppings, and a choice of milk or juice. Each Kids Meal experience includes a complimentary coloring book and colored pencils. Featured classes, priced at $35 per class, include:

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● Thursday, Sept. 28, 4:30-5:45pm: "Design Your Own Birdhouse." Children craft wooden birdhouses using paint pens, markers, and found objects, resulting in unique creations.

● Thursday, Oct. 26, 4:30-5:45pm: Pumpkin Decorating. Kids adorn pumpkins with stickers, gems, markers, and paint pens.

● Thursday, Nov. 30, 4:30 - 5:45pm: Create a Snow Globe Ornament. Children use a variety of materials to craft holiday-themed ornaments, creating cherished keepsakes.

"Create Art & Eat Naya" Adult Workshops: Popular adult classes at the Darien Arts Center will now include culinary dimensions. In addition to the beloved Sip N’ Paint experience, attendees can enjoy culinary delights from NAYA. Featured adult classes, priced at $75 per class, include:

● Friday, Oct. 6, 7 - 9 pm: Acrylic Pours Night. Participants create abstract paintings using liquid painting techniques, paired with NAYA's light bites.

● Friday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, 7 - 9 pm: Wreath Workshops. Craft holiday wreaths while enjoying NAYA's offerings.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the workshops, visit darienarts.org.

As NAYA and the Darien Arts Center jointly celebrate creativity and cuisine, all are invited to partake in "Create Art & Eat Naya" experiences. Explore new avenues of self-expression and delight your palate this fall season.

About NAYA Middle Eastern Counter & Grill

NAYA Middle Eastern Counter & Grill opened its doors in June 2023 at 146 Heights Road, Darien, CT 06820. Originating from the heart of New York City, NAYA has gained widespread acclaim for its delectable and irresistible Middle Eastern flavors. Since its establishment in 2010, NAYA has won over food enthusiasts with its exquisite flavors, showcasing time-honored recipes passed down through generations. The Darien location marks the brand’s 18th addition to the NAYA family. For more information visit www.eatnaya.com

About Darien Arts Center

Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts and Music, and special events & live performances. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or visit darienarts.org.

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