Wednesday, March 28: Cru Cellars
Wine Tasting Wednesdays are back by popular demand. Relax at the wine bar while enjoying the featured wines of the evening. Choose your favorite, and receive a 10% discount on it. Reservations can be made phone or by emailing [email protected]. $15; 6-8 p.m., 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com.
Wednesday, March 28 — Saturday, March 31: IHOP
If you and your tykes like the movie Lorax and pancakes, take them to IHOP for a Lorax Breakfast (for you) and Pipsqueak’s Breakfast (for the pipsqueaks). IHOP, in the spirit of Dr. Seuss's environmentally friendly book, is also giving out bookmarks embedded with seed paper so families can plant their own trees. All Tampa Bay area locations, ihopandthelorax.com.
Thursday, March 29: Rollin’ Oats Market and Café
Join Chef Daivid Morejon, of Latam at the Centro restaurant in Ybor, for this Traditional Spanish Delicacies class. The featured delicacies will be revealed by the chef. This class is free, but seating is limited, so reservations are recommended via phone. 6 p.m., 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-873-7428, rollinoats.com.
Thursday, March 29 — Sunday, April 1: Palm Harbor Citrus Festival
If you are “berry” tired of strawberries, how does citrus sound? Check out the citrus-inspired bake-off and cooking demos. Live entertainment includes a battle of bands, beauty pageant, Dancing with the Palm Harbor Stars and martial arts demos. Participate in the 5K run or one mile walk. Free; 5 p.m. on Thursday, 4 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday, Downtown Palm Harbor (along Florida Ave., between Alternate U.S. 19 and Omaha St.), 727-784-4287, palmharborcc.org.
Friday, March 30: 717 South
Actor Chazz Palminteri will be the guest of honor at this private dinner and wine pairing. He is best known for his roles in A Bronx Tale and Bullets Over Broadway. Purchase tickets via gasparilla.festivalgenius.com. Sponsored by Gasparilla International Film Festival. $150; 7-9:30 p.m., 717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-1661, 717south.com.
Friday, March 30: Tosti’s Spirits and Fine Wine
Gaze at the works of award-winning artist L. Smith, and listen to some blues at Hues and Blues. Enjoy 70 selections from Tosti’s and bites from participants such as Portofino Italian Ristorante and Seabreeze Island Grill and Raw Bar, while listening to tunes by Suncoast Blues Society. Participate in the silent auction. This charitable event benefits the Abilities Foundation. $40 all-inclusive for one, $75 all-inclusive for two; 7 p.m., 5125 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-538-7370 x234, localwineevents.com.
Saturday, March 31: DI Polo
Put on your best polo shirt and head to this Charity Polo Classic polo match and luncheon. Enjoy an Argentine barbecue lunch and complimentary beer and wine, fashion show, divot stomping and auction under a tent. Some of the top polo players in the U.S. will be competing, and celebrities will be there to root for them. The Green Can, a free recycling program that donates all proceeds to charity, will be on hand, happy to help with your recycling needs. Proceeds of this event will benefit charities such as Children’s Cancer Center. $150 per person, $250 per couple; 11 a.m. — 4 p.m., 1003 Cowart Road, Plant City, charitypoloclassic.com.
Saturday, March 31: World of Beer (Downtown St. Petersburg)
Honor the awesome ‘80s at this rad Retro ‘80s Bar Crawl. Enjoy drink and food specials in acid-wash designer jeans and giant shoulder-padded shirt, etc., and receive a door prize. This five-stop bar crawl (you will receive discounts at each bar) will make its way through downtown. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; 7:30 p.m., 100 4th St. S, St. Petersburg, 727-823-2337, tampabaycrawls.com.
Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1: Renaissance Festival (MOSI)
Celebrate Oktoberfest’s half-birthday at German Invasion: Halfway to Oktoberfest, at the final segment of this year’s Renaissance Festival. Check out the German village and look for a village idiot. Watch the longbow and battle cry competitions and yodeling contest. Show off your awesome beard by participating in the best beard competition. If you are feeling bratty, participate in the brat eating competition. Take advantage of the free beer tasting. Participate in the pub crawl. Admission is $18.95, free parking; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 11315 N. 46th St., Tampa, 800-966-8215, bayarearennaissancefest.com.
Saturday, March 31: Safford House
Head to the house for week one of this cooking class series. Liliane Nerette Louis will be preparing Haitian-inspired yellow squash soup and sweet potato pudding. Sponsored by City of Tarpon Springs. Register via phone or website. $20; 10 a.m. — 2 p.m., 23 Parkin Court, Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5605, tarponarts.org/folklife.
Saturday, March 31: Sushi Rock Grill
Put on your party hat and head to the Rock for their 10th Anniversary Party. Enjoy sushi samples, wine tastings and complimentary beverages. Listen to live music while watching live painting by Bill Correira (of Gallery Woo). This party also serves as a kickoff to the “culinary surprises” in store for April. 4-11 p.m., 1163 Martin Luther King St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-898-7625, thesushirockgrill.com.
Saturday, March 31: Treasure Island Community Center Park
Check out Treasure Island’s Chillounge Night, where you can be chillin’ like a villain and lounging on daybeds in the middle of the park. Watch the Brazilian Samba Parade and pyrotechnics, while listening to musical acts Hunks of Funk and Act III. This is a 21+ event, benefiting Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. VIP tickets are $95 and include beverages and culinary selections from Pearl Restaurant and Bayou Catering, in the special VIP section. Tickets may be purchased online, via telephone, or in person at Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce. 6-11 p.m., 1 Park Place and 106th Ave., Treasure Island, 888-695-0888, chilloungenight.com.
Sunday, April 1: Total Wine and More
Are you at a loss for what wines to pair with your Easter feast? If so, check out Perfect Pairings for your Holiday Meal. Muirwood Pinot Noir and CULT Cabernet Napa will be featured, among others. You will be sure to sample wines that even the Easter Bunny would enjoy. Receive a discount on your favorite, with a coupon. Free; 12-5 p.m., 1720 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com.
