Food and drink events: April 24-May 3

EAT AND DRINK FOR A CAUSE

Friday: Party with Pissarro, 6:30 p.m., Woman's Art Club Cultural Center, 6980 Cambridge Ave., Mariemont. The Barn. French-themed party welcomes Dr. Brettell to town, with Provencal cuisine from La Petite Pierre, dessert, fine wines, music by the Faux Frenchman, and photo booth in the Loft. Free valet parking. Ages 21 and up. Benefits WACC Foundation "The Barn." $50. Reservations required. 513-272-3700; www.artatthebarn.org.

Saturday: Lebanon BrewHAHa, 5 p.m., Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon. Exhibit Hall C. Beer tasting, food, music and more. Ages 21 and up. Benefits Lebanon Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Orchestra. $65 VIP, $45, general, $15 designated driver. 513-932-2636; www.lebanonbrewhaha.com.

Thursday: Spring for the Stars Gala, 5:30 p.m., Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown. Continental Room, followed by Hall of Mirrors. Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dinner with special guest emcee, DJ Jon Jon from Q102. Silent auction. Ages 21 and up. Benefits St. Joseph Orphanage. $125. Reservations recommended. 513-741-5690, ext. 2353.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wednesday: Party in the Park, 5-10 p.m. (Music by Flip Cup All-Stars.), Yeatman's Cove, 805 Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Discounted drinks 5-6:30 p.m. Featuring the Bud Bar, moveable bar with bar-style seating, five plasma televisions and ceiling fans. Through Aug. 12. Free. 513-579-3100; www.party-in-the-park.com.

DINING EVENTS

Friday: Oyster Festival, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily through May 2, Washington Platform Saloon and Restaurant, 1000 Elm St., Downtown. Featuring 40-plus item, fresh oyster menu. Smoked oyster salad, oyster-stuffed jalapenos, oysters Mardi Gras, Nantucket oysters, fresh-shucked oysters on the half shell and more. 513-421-0110; www.washingtonplatform.com.

Friday: Fish Fry, 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dennis Johnson VFW Post 6562, 1596 Ohio 131, Milford. Fish sandwiches, chicken fingers or six-piece shrimp dinners. Dinners include french fries and homemade coleslaw. Carry-out available. During lent: homemade mac-n-cheese. Open year round except holidays. $6-$6.50. 513-575-2102.

Saturday: Kids Pancake Breakfast, 10 a.m.-midnight, Mount Healthy United Methodist Church, 7612 Perry St., Mount Healthy. Free. 513-931-5827.

Saturday: Victorian Garden Tea, 1 p.m., Hillforest Victorian House Museum, 213 Fifth St., Aurora. Planting demonstration, create tea-cup planter to take home, and tea with seasonal treats. $28, $25 members. Reservations required. 812-926-0087; www.hillforest.org.

Saturday: Porch Party Grill Out, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Mt. Carmel Brewing Company, 4362 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road, Mount Carmel. Lakeside Patio. Chef Buddy Fristoe will be grilling and smoking pulled pork sliders and tacos, and serving homemade chips and salsa every Saturday afternoon. Special beer tappings and pricing. $8, $3. 513-240-2739.

Saturday: Made in Cincinnati, 2-7 p.m., Woodstone Creek Winery & Distillery, 4712 Vine St., St. Bernard. Tasting Room. Featured: Aurore, a lesser known Ohio varietal, and award-winning Murray Cask Peated Single Malt Whisky. Ages 21 and up. $3-$25. 513-569-0300; www.woodstonecreek.com.

Saturday: Taste the World Food Tour, 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. Tour meets at Daisy Mae's on the south side of market. 90-minute guided tour of Cincinnati's historic Findlay Market. Ticket includes stops and tastings at 6 specialty merchants. Most tasting is done while standing. All indoors or under cover so tour operates rain or shine. Optional $5 add-on with wine tasting or beer. $20. Reservations required. 513-602-5602; www.cincinnatifoodtours.com.

Saturday: SPC. Greg Missman Memorial Dinner, 4-8 p.m., VFW Post 9630 Mount Carmel Post, 4283 Stoddard Lane, Batavia. All you can eat spaghetti and meatball dinner with roll, salad, soft drink and desserts. Split the pot raffle, silent auction, DJ, karaoke. Army Corps SPC Greg Missman paid the ultimate price for country while serving in Afghanistan in July, 2009. Benefits Gold Star Families and Children of Fallen Veterans. $10. 513-732-6072; www.facebook.com/events/1403711759936425.

Saturday: North Avondale Montessori Food Truck Competition, 4-7 p.m., North Avondale Montessori School, 615 Clinton Springs, North Avondale. Parking lot. Bistro de Mohr, U-Luck Dawg, Cold Stone Creamery, Streetpops, Waffo, and Lyric:Food that Rocks. Vote for favorite. Benefits North Avondale Montessori School Foundation. Food prices vary. 513-363-3900; namrockets.org.

Saturday: Roast Beef Dinner and Quilt Show, 4:30-7 p.m., St. Paul United Church of Christ, 5312 Old Blue Rock Road, Colerain Township. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, rolls, applesauce and dessert. Carry out available. Quilts made by St. Paul members and friends will be on display. $10, $4 children. 513-385-9077; www.stpaulucccolerain.org.

Saturday: Spaghetti Dinner, 5-7 p.m., Hartzell United Methodist Church, 8999 Applewood Drive, Blue Ash. $7, $3 kids ages 5-10, free ages 4 and under. 513-891-8527, ext. 1.

Sunday: Best Sunday Brunch on the West Side, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Aston Oaks Golf Club, 1 Aston Oaks Drive, North Bend. Omelet and waffle stations, goetta, sausage, biscuits, bacon, fruit and more. Lunch portion begins at 11 a.m. Large parties welcome. Special pricing on holidays. $11.95, $8.95 seniors and ages 7-14, free ages 6 and under. Reservations required. 513-467-0070, ext. 3.

Tuesday: Bounty Paper Towels 50th Anniversary: 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Joe's Diner, 1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. Bounty has transformed local diner into unique 1-day tribute to Rosie and the Quicker Picker Upper with free food for community to enjoy and reminisce. Free.

Wednesday: WAVE Free Community Dinner, 6 p.m., Milford First United Methodist Church, 541 Main St., Milford. Part of Wednesdays Are Very Extraordinary event. Free; donations accepted. 513-831-5500; www.milfordfirstumc.org.

Wednesday: Wings And Trivia Night, 6-9 p.m., Mt. Carmel Brewing Company, 4362 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road, Mount Carmel. Tap Room. Last Call Trivia. Renegade Street Eats uses Mt. Carmel Beer as a base to create Gourmet Wing sauces and glazes to be paired with the beer. Ages 21 and up. $5-$9. 513-240-2739; www.mtcarmelbrewingcompany.com.

Thursday: ArtWorks Annual Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. Complimentary breakfast with storytelling and networking. Benefits ArtWorks. Free. Reservations required. 513-333-0388; www.artworkscincinnati.org.

DRINK TASTINGS

Friday: StarkBier Fest, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Listermann Brewing Company, 1621 Dana Ave., Evanston. Hand-crafted beers, fest tent, food and music. 19 breweries represented. Family and pet friendly event. Benefits Cincideutsch. 513-731-1130; www.listermann.com.

Friday: Wine Tasting, 5-9 p.m. Friday, 1-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, StoneBrook Winery, 6570 Vineyard Lane, Camp Springs. StoneBrook Tasting Room. Select samples from variety of award-winning Kentucky Fruit Wines. Ages 21 and up. $5. 859-635-0111; www.stonebrookwinery.com.

Friday: Wine Tasting, 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Wine World, 7737 Five Mile Road, Anderson Township. Taste four different wines. Ages 21 and up. $1 per two-ounce taste. 513-232-6611.

Friday: Friday Night Tasting: Great Grenache, 6-8 p.m., The Wine Merchant, 3972 Edwards Road, Oakley. Taste 8 white and red wines from around the world made from the Grenache grape. Light appetizers. Ages 21 and up. $25, $20 advance. Reservations required. 513-731-1515; www.winemerchantcincinnati.com.

Friday: Friday Night Wine Tasting, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Remke Market Oakley, 3872 Paxton Ave., Oakley. Ernest & Julio Gallo wines. $5. Pay for tasting ticket at customer service. 513-619-5454.

Saturday: Winery Grand Opening, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Brianza Gardens and Winery, 14611 Salem Creek Road, Crittenden. Gardens and winery open to the public for tastings and picnics. Free. 859-445-9369; www.brianzagardensandwinery.com.

Saturday: Saturday Premium Wine Flight: California Cabernet, noon-5 p.m., The Wine Merchant, 3972 Edwards Road, Oakley. Sit down flight of four wines poured upon your arrival. Ages 21 and up. $15. Reservations required. 513-731-1515; www.winemerchantcincinnati.com.

Saturday: Cincy Brew Bus Eastside Tour, 12:10 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, The Growler House, 1526 Madison Road, Walnut Hills. Local taproom tasting tour includes local brewing history, proper tasting techniques, brewing process, behind the scenes looks and beer tasting at each location. Visit Old Firehouse Brewing, Fifty West, Mt. Carmel and Bad Tom Smith. Ages 21 and up. $55-$65. Reservations required. 513-258-7909; www.cincybrewbus.com.

Saturday: Dave's Faves, 1-3 p.m., Jungle Jim's International Market, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. $30. Registration required. 513-674-6000.

Saturday: Ladies Night Out Wine Tasting and Shopping Event, 7 p.m.-midnight, St. Bernard School and Parish Center, 7115 Springdale Road, Colerain Township. Includes wine and food pairings. Beer and wine cash bar. Vendors on hand for shopping. Ages 21 and up. Benefits St. Bernard Parents Club. $25, $20 advance. 513-379-7049.

Sunday: 20 Brix Wine Festival, 1-5 p.m., 20 Brix, 101 Main St., Milford. Wine tasting, seminars, food, music and deals on retail wine. Ages 21 and up. $25, $20 advance. 513-831-2749; www.20brix.com.

Sunday: Circle of Hope Sunday Supper Celebration, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oasis Golf Club and Conference Center, 902 Loveland-Miamiville Road, Loveland. Wine pairings, appetizers, and soup bars from local restaurants. Live and silent auction with Master of Ceremonies Thom Brennaman. Ages 21 and up. Benefits Inter Parish Ministry's food and clothing pantry for eastern Hamilton County and Clermont County. $50. Registration required. 513-561-3932; www.interparish.org/?p=1089.

Wednesday: Wine Flight Wednesdays, 4-10 p.m., The Mercer, 1324 Vine Street, Over-the-Rhine. Bar/Lounge. Flights of red and white wines with cheese pairings. Focus is on wines not normally available by glass. Ages 21 and up. $14, $10. 513-421-5111; www.facebook.com/TheMercerOTR.

Wednesday: Burger and Beer Wednesdays, 4-9 p.m. (Kitchen closes at 9pm), Fifty West Brewing Company, 7668 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township. Burger and pint for $10. 513-834-8789; fiftywestbrew.com.

Thursday: Tap That Thursday, 5 p.m., BrewRiver GastroPub, 2062 Riverside Drive, East End. Tapping new rare keg every week. Chef Michael creates specialty hot dog to pair with latest brew. Ages 21 and up. Free. 513-861-2484; www.brewrivergastropub.com.

COOKING CLASSES

Friday: Date Night, Sushi Workshop, 6-8 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. With Chef Jaime Carmody. Ages 18 and up. $160 per couple. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

Saturday: Simple Health-Smart Cooking Class, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Cincinnati Nutrition Counseling Center, 7400 Montgomery Road, Silverton. Informal and interactive class series to discover how healthy and tasty meals can be prepared quickly and simply. $139. Registration required. 513-556-6932; www.uc.edu/ce/commu.

Saturday: Quick and Easy: Fried Rice and Stir Fry with Joe Westfall, noon-1 p.m., Cooks' Wares, 11344 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township. $20. Reservations required. 513-489-6400.

Saturday: Date Night, Hell's Kitchen, 5-7 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. With Chef Meinking. Ages 18 and up. $160 per couple. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

Saturday: Sushi Rolling and Dining, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sushi Cincinnati, 130 W. Pike St., Covington. $25 per person, three rolls, includes training and BYOB, reservations required. Reservations required. 513-335-0297; www.sushicinti.com.

Tuesday: Homemade Pasta Workshop, 6-8 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. With Chef Jaime Carmody. Ages 14 and up. $70. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

Tuesday: Fish Without Fear - Spring Edition, 6-8:30 p.m., Jungle Jim's International Market, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. $55. Registration required. 513-674-6059.

Wednesday: Creations Class: An Authentic and Classic Mexican Meal, 6-9 p.m., Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State, 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton. $65. Registration required. 513-569-5800; www.midwestculinary.com.

Wednesday: The Five Master Skills, 6-8 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. With Chef Jennifer Vogel. Ages 14 and up. $70. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

Thursday: Hands-On: Low-Country Shrimp Boil, 6-8:30 p.m., Jungle Jim's International Market, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. $65. Registration required. 513-674-6059.

Thursday: Pan Sauce Workshop, 6-8 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. With Chef Jen Vogel. Ages 14 and up. $70. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW

May 1

Spotlight on the Arts Celebration, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road. Dinner, entertainment, raffles and silent auction. Whodunit Players present "Shots in the Speakeasy" murder mystery. Benefits Sharonville Fine Arts Center. $75. Reservations required. 513-554-1014; www.sharonvillefinearts.org.

Date Night: Homemade Ravioli, 6-8 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. Learn to make ravioli, fillings and sauce. Adult couples only. Chef Jaime Carmody. Ages 18 and up. $145 per couple. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

Wine Tasting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Nature Nook Florist and Wine Shop, 10 S. Miami Ave., Cleves. Four tastings with light snacks. Ages 21 and up. $5 per person. 513-467-1988; www.naturenookonline.com.

May 2

Incline District Street Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Incline District, 3006 Price Ave., East Price Hill. Across street from Holy Family School. Showcasing the multicultural richness of East Price Hill. Local artisan vendors, food trucks, music and craft beer. Benefits Holy Family Parish. Through Sept. 5. Free. 513-921-7527; www.theinclinedistrictstreetfair.com.

Derby Day Fashion Show and Luncheon, 11 a.m., Manor House, 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason. Raffles, fashions by Chico's Kenwood. Derby hats optional. Benefits VA Fisher House. $35. 513-793-8787; www.montgomerywomansclub.org.

Kentucky Derby Party, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Parkers Blue Ash Tavern, 4200 Cooper Road, Blue Ash. Classic Kentucky Derby dishes, prizes, raffles, drawings. $5 Mint Juleps served in commemorative Derby glass. Ages 21 and up. Benefits Winton Woods Riding Center Special Olympics training program. $10. Reservations required. 513-891-8300; www.Parkersblueash.com.

Savor the Season: Farm to Fork Celebration, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale. Local chefs team up with local farms to prepare spring cuisine with first yields of season. Watch, learn and taste. Benefits Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation. $35, $10. 513-563-6663; www.gormanfarm.org.

Saturday Premium Wine Flight: Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, noon-5 p.m., The Wine Merchant, 3972 Edwards Road, Oakley. Taste and compare 4 Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines, the Rhone Valley's most celebrated Appellation. Sit down flight of four wines poured upon arrival. Ages 21 and up. $15. Reservations required. 513-731-1515; www.winemerchantcincinnati.com.

Summer Kick-off Weekend, 2-9 p.m., Harmony Hill Vineyards and Estate Winery, 2534 Swings Corner Point Isabel Road, Bethel. All international award-winning wines are back, including Concerto, Ovation, Woodwind and Aria. Music by Monte from 2-4 and Anna and Milovan to close out evening. P&P Brick Oven Pizza Truck will be on location also. Ages 18 and up. 50 cents per sample. 513-734-3548; www.hhwines.com.

Blues, Brews and BBQ, 4-7 p.m. (With Dirty McQueens.), The Art of Entertaining, 2019 Madison Road, O'Bryonville. 5 drinks, 7 courses, live music. Ages 21 and up. $35, $30 advance. Registration recommended. 513-871-5170; www.cincyartofentertaining.com.

Creations Class: Kids In The Kitchen - Mother's Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State, 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton. $50, $40 additional siblings. Registration required. 513-569-5800; www.midwestculinary.com.

Shrimp Three Ways, 5-7 p.m., The Learning Kitchen, 7659 Cox Lane, West Chester Township. Prepare panko-crusted shrimp with lemon and shaved asparagus, shrimp tacos with Creole seasoning, lime crema and pico de gallo and chili paprika-rubbed shrimp over cheesy bacon grits. Chef Jen Vogel. Ages 14 and up. $75. Reservations required. 513-847-4474; www.thelearningkitchen.com.

Cool Jazz n' Hotcakes at Lakota East High School, 8 a.m.-noon, Lakota East High School, 6840 Lakota Lane, Liberty Township. School Cafeteria. Pancake breakfast with a cool side of jazz from 5 Lakota East jazz bands. Basket raffles, shopping from several home-based businesses along Lakota East Main Street and more. Benefits Lakota East Bands. $6. 513-755-1571; www.lakotaeastbands.org.

May 3

Salsa-On, 3-5 p.m., Park + Vine, 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Salsa contest. Prepare a gallon to compete, or sample what others have created. Judges include Dave Cunningham of The Comet, Jennifer Gleason of Sunflower Sundries Farm, Andrew Gomez of Gomez Salsa, and Chef Andrew Mersmann of Django Western Taco. Benefits Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati. $15 to compete, $10 to taste. Reservations required. 513-721-7275; tinyurl.com/kj6rvzl.

Pancake Breakfast Hoedown Fundraiser, 8:30-11:45 a.m., Epiphany United Methodist Church, 6635 Loveland Miamiville Road, Loveland. Epiphany Social Hall. Gluten-free and chocolate chip pancakes available. Benefits Boy Scout Troop #635. $5. 513-722-4644.

Miami Historical Society Spring Tea, 1-3 p.m., Miamitown Historical Society, 7998 Main St., Miamitown. 50 Shades of Earl Grey Spring Tea. Speaker is Melanie Steel. English Garden (Sunday best) attire. Raffles. Prize awarded for best hat. Benefits Miami Historical Society. $20. Reservations required. 513-353-2877; miamihistoricalsociety.com.