Ann Arbor food and drink calendar

Date Night! 6:30-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. you asked, and we listened: introducing the first of our ongoing Date Night series. Bring your special someone and have some fun in the kitchen cooking up this entire menu. And please feel free to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal. Menu includes baba ghanouj; falafel with tahini sauce; tabbouleh; fattoush; lamb kebabs with charmoula dressing; fresh oranges with honey and cinnamon. $130 per pair. 734-645-1030.

People are Strange. 7-11 p.m. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. Aren’t we all a little bit strange? Explore your inner strangeness at this everything’s strange gathering. we are brewing strange beers, preparing strange food, spinning strange music and organizing other strange encounters. Throw on a strange outfit and a sense of humor and tap into strange. no cover charge. 734-480-2739.

Friday Night Live in the Courtyard Kickoff. 7-9 p.m. Mark’s Carts, Food Cart Courtyard, 211 W. Washington, Ann Arbor. First of the 2012 Friday night live music series, featuring high-energy funk-jazz-ska band Hullabaloo. Fun for the whole family. no cover charge; price of purchases. info@markscartsa2.com.

SaturdayWake & Bake. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Everything you need to know for weekend baking! P.S. You’ll fall in love with these doughnuts! Menu: Jam-filled doughnuts; buttermilk biscuits; blueberry lemon bread; homemade Danish. $65. 734-645-1030.

Golden Brew Tour: Golden Limousine International. Noon. begins at Wolverine State Brewing Co., 2019 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor. Ale, Lager, porter, stout, pilsner… Come discover the distinct flavors of Michigan made beer. Tours begin at Wolverine State Brewery; spend the day visiting various breweries and festivals throughout Michigan. $90 and up — pricing varies by event. 1-800-300-5151 or www.goldenlimo.com/brewtours.

Learn to Make Fresh Mozzarella. Noon-2:30 p.m. Zingerman’s Creamery, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Come learn with the masters of mozzarella how to stretch your own from-scratch fresh mozzarella at home. They will guide you through the steps to set up the curd from milk and teach you the technique we employ to stretch the rather plain-tasting curds into marvelous mozzarella of your very own. First and third Saturday of each month, September through May. $60 (or $55 if paid in advance). Reservations required at 734-929-0500.

SundayCountry Breakfast. 8-11:30 a.m. American Legion Post #419, 9807 Whitewood Road, Pinckney. $6 for adults, $5 for seniorsm $3 for children 9 and under. 734-878-9522 or 734-341-4249.

Navajo Fry Bread with Brian Steinberg. 1-2 p.m. Hollander’s, 410 N. Fourth Ave., first floor of the Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. In this class, Brian shows how to make a Native American staple, Navajo Fry Bread — great for sandwiches or dipping. Brian will also fix up a savory venison stew to sample with the bread, as well as a sweet honey and sugar topping. $16. 734-741-7531.

Kids Get Grilling! 1-3:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Come on kids – let’s get geared up for grilling season! we will show you the ins-and-outs of grilling technique, with a special focus on safety. This is a kids-only class for children ages 8-16 years. Menu: Grilled zucchini with fresh mozzarella; turkey sliders; grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream. $45. 734-645-1030.

Tours of the Creamery. 2 p.m. Zingerman’s Creamery, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Cheesemaker and managing partner John Loomis leads the whey and gives the inside scoop on how they make artisan cheeses and old-fashioned gelato (that’s Italian ice cream). $5. you will receive a $5 coupon to spend in the Cheese Shop. 734-929-0500.

MondaySpring into Pasta with Francesca Giaraffa 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Whole Foods, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. enjoy three fresh pasta dishes that are perfect to toss together for a quick and easy spring dinner. Recipes: Orecchiette pasta tossed with a sauteed broccoli and bits of Italian sausage and parmigiano cheese. Spaghetti con Gamberi: spaghetti with sautéed shrimp tossed with a light garlic dressing, grape tomatoes, chilies and fresh herbs. Finally, Penne alla Arrabbiata; penne pasta tossed in a fresh tomato sauce made with chilies, garlic, fresh basil and then topped with parmigiano and mozzarella cheeses. This class is held in the Cooking and Lifestyles Classroom. $45. Pre-registration is required by calling 734-994-2300 ext. 53203 or at www.aareced.com.

Baking Bread: Sourdough. 7 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. Join baker Jessie as she walks us through the basic steps of making sourdough at home. $10. To register, call 734-977-7500 or stop by the customer service desk.

Open dance and wine tasting. 6 p.m.-close. Passport Restaurant and Lounge, 3776 S. State St., Ann Arbor. Open dancing and free wine tasting from 6 p.m. to close. no cover charge; price of purchases. 734-222-1111.

Milan Senior Nutrition Program. 11:45 a.m. Milan Senior & Community Activity Center, 45 Neckel Court, Milan. In partnership with the Washtenaw County Senior Nutrition Program, they offer a nutritionally balanced meal three afternoons a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. there is a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone who is 60 years or older and a fee of $5 for anyone under the age of 60. They do ask for 48 hour advanced reservations. call or stop by the office. 734-439-1549.

TuesdayTalk by author Joel Salatin: Local Food to the Rescue. 8 p.m. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. Joel Salatin is the self-proclaimed “libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-farmer” made famous when his “beyond organic” small-scale family farm was featured in Michael Pollan’s bestselling book, “the Omnivore’s Dilemma” and in the documentary films “Food, inc.” and “Fresh.” Salatin operates his farm with the idea that nature is the best teacher when it comes to agriculture. This lecture, delivered in Salatin’s refreshing oratorical style, will focus on the solutions to the ills he observes in our food system. He’ll share how his farm serves as a prototype to the way local food can lead to our agricultural, environmental and nutritional salvation. Tickets $15 for the general public, $13 for People’s Food Co-op members/students. purchase tickets at the co-op (no surcharge) or through Ticketmaster.

Italian Cuisine Appetizers with Francesca Giarraffa. Noon-1 p.m. Hollander’s, 410 N. Fourth Ave., first floor of the Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. Make two great Italian appetizers: Bruchetta con cavolo nero; black kale sautéed with bits of smoked pancetta, garlic and chilies served on a garlic bruschetta. Also, smoked salmon pate served on crostini and chopped fresh herbs. $16. 734-741-7531.

Healthy, delicious Pasta—on the Table in Minutes! 6-7:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. Monique Deschaine, founder of Al Dente Pasta, shares her tricks for getting healthy pasta dishes on the table in minutes. Engage in lively conversation with this pioneer of the local food movement as she demonstrates a variety of tasty recipes. Perfect for both the novice and experienced cook, you will enjoy whole wheat fettuccine with seasonal roasted vegetables, Asian spicy sesame linguine, low fat fettuccine Alfredo, pasta with Bolognese sauce, and an appetizer. $10. 734-997-7500.

The Art of the Souffle. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. This class is offered through Washtenaw Community College, but held at Ann Arbor Cooks. Sweet or savory, souffles are a sure way to impress your guests. It’s all about technique for this one! So join us for an evening mastering the process and you’ll see just how easy this crowd pleaser can be. Get ready for the oohs and ahs. Menu: asparagus souffle, Roquefort souffle, lemon souffle, chocolate souffle and Grand Marnier souffle. $65. Register at www.wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning/.

Release Party: Strawberry Blonde. 6-9 p.m. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. Be the first to taste our limited spring time batch of Strawberry Blonde. Event includes appetizers, and plenty of Strawberry Blonde to go around. Free for mug club members, $10 for non-members. 734-480-2739.

Lunch is Served. Noon-1 p.m. Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor. Repeats every Tuesday and Friday. Reservations are required with two days prior notice. Suggested donation for those over 60 years of age is $2.50, for all others, $5. call 734-998-9353 for reservations.

WednesdayRustic Italian Cooking: Vegetarian Italian Sunday Suppers with Francesca Giarraffa. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Whole Foods, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Students will assist in preparing zucchini allaparmigiana (layers of fried zucchini slices baked with bread crumbs, parmigiano cheese and basil), frittatine al forno (thin egg omelets rolled around mozzarella and parmigiano cheese and baked with an onion, tomato sauce) and strawberry terrine (homemade sponge cake layered with mascarpone cream cheese, fresh strawberries and blueberries), followed by the entire meal enjoyed together family style. This class is held in the Cooking and Lifestyles Classroom. Tuition: $39 Mandatory fee: $15. www.wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning.

Pesto Party! 6:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. We’re gearing up for spring with this celebration of a favorite! Menu: Sage and hazelnut pesto with spaghetti squash; sun-dried tomato pesto crostini; spring herb pesto with roasted vegetables; couscous salad with mint pesto and feta. $65. 734-645-1030.

Chocolate and Wine Tasting: Greenview Foundation Hepatitis C Fund. 5-7 p.m. Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington, Ann Arbor. Guests will be treated to Simply Blended wines (based in Madison Heights) wine, Arbor Brewing Co. appetizers and Schakolad Chocolate Factory chocolates. Proceeds benefit hepatitis C medical research. $25. Preregistration required at 734- 223-8400.

National Rifle Association Banquet. 5:30 p.m. Tri-County Sportsman’s League, 8640 Moon Road, Saline. Dinner and live and silent auctions to benefit the NRA. $40. 734-429-9561.

Wednesday Wine Tasting. 6:30 p.m. Paesano’s Italian Restaurant, 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. This informal wine tasting allows patrons to sample five up and coming wines from Italy. Joined by one of Paesano’s knowledgeable wine purveyors, the staff creates tasty appetizers to accompany the bold flavors. $25. www.paesanosannarbor.com.

Thursday, April 26Prawn Masala & Kappa with Jyothi Abraham 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Whole Foods, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Prawn Masala Curry is a creamy mixture of shrimp, complex spicing and coconut milk common in southern India. It creates an elegant dish perfect for entertaining. Kappa is the Keralan equivalent of spicy mashed potatoes – a thick paste made from a root vegetable. Discover the regional cuisine of Kerala. This class is held in the Cooking and Lifestyles Classroom. $39. Pre-registration is required by calling 734-994-2300 ext. 53203 or at www.aareced.com.

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-8:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, at the wine bar. Each Thursday evening, experts lead an exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. This week’s topic: Spanish whites. 734-997-7500.

To submit events for this calendar, e-mail calendar@annarbor.com.

Ann Arbor food and drink calendar