MARCH 29-30
SOUTHERN ARIZONA ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL: This two-day event at Pima Community College-Northwest Campus includes international food vendors, live music and cultural dancers, plus 150-plus fine arts and craft vendors. When: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. both days Where: 7600 N. Shannon Road Price: free admission Info: 797-3959, www.GOVAC.org

MARCH 30
DUETS & DINNER, TUCSON GIRLS CHORUS: This fundraiser for Tucson Girls Chorus at The Manning House, features a reception/silent auction/cash bar starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Tastes of the World culinary program at 6 and featured musical program at 7. The food is provided by local restaurants Vivace, Manning House, El Charro, Sakura and The Melting Pot. Featuring Tucson Symphony Orchestra director/ conductor George Hanson and artist Diana Madaras. When: 5:30 p.m. Where: 450 W. Paseo Redondo Price: $100 Info: 577-6064

Food & Wine
IS IT KOSHER?: Renowned kosher expert and food scientist Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz, author of “Is it Kosher?” will give this presentation at Safeway. He will discuss how to identify products that are year-round kosher, as well as items specifically kosher for Passover, how to find undisclosed ingredients and read and understand labels. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Reservations required. When: 4 p.m. Where: 4752 E. Sunrise Drive Price: free Info: 747-7780, www.kosherquest.org

APRIL 4
FOURTH AVENUE SPRING STREET FAIR: This three-day event features 35 food vendors serving such fare as Greek, Mexican, Thai, barbecue, fry bread, funnel cakes and chicken. In addition, 400 arts and crafts booths and two stages will be set up, plus street musicians, jugglers and other performers. Handmade works from country crafts to fine art available for sale by the artists. “VAN GROW,” features a kid’s area with a jumping castle, mini-train, face painting and balloons. When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 4-6 Where: North Fourth Avenue between Ninth Street and University Boulevard, along Fourth Avenue Price: free admission Info: 624-504, www.fourthavenue.org

APRIL 5
ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM: For its Tucson Plein Air Painters Distinguished Artist Members Annual Show: Outside In, the opening reception in the Ironwood Gallery includes a wine bar and hors d’oeuvres. Those attending will get to meet the artists and view the “wet paint” sale, featuring images painted on the Desert Museum grounds earlier in the day. When: 2-4 p.m. Where: 2021 N. Kinney Road Price: $13 adults, $4.25 ages 6-12 Info: 883-3024, www.desertmuseum.org

FIESTA DE SAGUARO: This fiesta, now in its second year at Saguaro National Park-Rincon Mountain District, celebrates the Hispanic history and culture of the park and the local area with a variety of activities, exhibits, lectures, demonstrations and performances. Traditional Mexican food will also be available for purchase. The only parking available at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center April 5 will be for those visitors with special needs. Because of limited parking there, the park will run continuous shuttle service 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. from Sahuaro Baptist Church, 10361 E. Old Spanish Trail (at Houghton Road). When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Price: free Info: 733-5151, www.nps.gov/sagu

PRESIDIO FESTIVAL: The festival at Presidio San Agustín del Tucson celebrates Tucson’s multicultural and territorial heritage. Activities include living history demonstrations, children’s games and period food (for purchase) provided by La Cocina restaurant. When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: 133 W. Washington St. Price: free Info: 547-3338, www.downtowntucson.org

APRIL 7-MAY 5
SLEUTHING IN YOUR SUPERMARKET: On Mondays April 7-May 5, Kitty Ufford-Chase, faith community coordinator for the Community Food Bank will lead a five-session course, Learning to Shop with a Conscience, in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson’s Awareness Meeting Room. Each session will address issues surrounding food and faith. Topics include how supermarkets fit into the global food system; social justice in the food system and supermarkets from middle-class and low-income perspectives. The fee for the class is to cover supplies. Scholarships are always available. Any money left over will go to the food bank. Registration required. Payment may be made by credit card by calling Jean in the church office, 748-1551. When: 6:30-8 p.m. Where: 4831 E. 22nd St. Price: $15 Info: 326-8831, mike-greenbaum@qwestoffice.net

APRIL 10
EAT DOWNTOWN: This second annual event at Hotel Congress features tastings from Athens on Fourth, Art’s BBQ Restaurant, Barrio, Café A La C’Art, Casa Vicente, Chris’ Café, The Cup Café, Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant, El Minuto Café, Enoteca Pizzeria Wine Bar and the soon-to-open On a Roll, complimentary wine samples from Alliance Beverage distributors and live music. When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: 311 E. Congress St. Price: $40 Info: 622-8848, www.downtowntucson.com/ eat_downtown

APRIL 13
THE EVENT: More than 35 local restaurants and 30 wineries will be present at this year’s Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson annual outdoor charity fundraiser, now celebrating its seventh year. Besides food and wine tastings, the event (at La Encantada shopping center) will offer live steel drum, jazz and blues performances, beer tastings and the “Martini Experience.” Group tickets and corporate packages also are available. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: 2905 E. Skyline Drive Price: $150 ($125 tax-deductible) Info: 573-3533, TheEventTucson.com

APRIL 16
DINE OUT FOR SAFETY: The 12th Annual event supports the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Participating restaurants donate as much as 20 percent of diners lunch and/or dinner bills to the SACASA. Times and prices vary by restaurant. A complete list of restaurants and participating times, as well as other details are on the official Web site. Info: http://dineoutforsafety.com

APRIL 8-13

Out of Town
SCOTTSDALE CULINARY FESTIVAL: A total of 30 critically acclaimed chefs from around the country, plus two competitors from the “Top Chef” television competition are part of this year’s event. In addition, Colibri Vineyard & Winery in Portal is the only Arizona wine producer participating in the 30th annual festival, which organizers say is the longest running in the country. Events include cooking demonstrations, special dinners, the Eat, Drink & Be Pretty Party (April 11 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts), Chefs Wine Dinners (April 12 at five Scottsdale restaurants) and the Great Arizona Picnic (April 12 and 13 at Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza), featuring food sampling from more than 50 Restaurants, Challenge to the Chefs and the Southwest Festival of Beers. Event details are available on the event’s official Web site. When: Varies Where: Varies Price: From $10 (Great Arizona Picnic) Info: 480-945-7193, www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org

APRIL 12
GROWING AND HARVESTING FOOD IN THE DESERT: Learn the techniques for successful gardening in the desert, how to conserve water and how to compost. When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Location will be given when you call to register. Price: $49 Info: 624-1673, www.caneloproject.com/dawn

APRIL 18
CELEBRATE CHILDREN 2008: This event in the St. Philip’s Plaza courtyard to benefit StrengthBuilding Partners, features foods from Acacia, Blue House Catering, Blanco Tacos & Tequila, Bluepoint Kitchen, Chris’s Café, Claim Jumper Restaurants, Famous Sam’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Vivace. Wines provided by Fox restaurants. It also will have a silent auction and live music by the Mike Kuhn Band. Alan Michaels of Radio station KWFM (1450 AM) is master of ceremonies. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: , 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $50 Info: 546-9296, www.strengthbuilding.org

APRIL 18-19
NOCHE DE LAS ESTRELLAS: This event, in its 17th year and presented by Sunnyside High School at its auditorium, begins with the “Reina y Rey de las Estrellas,” featuring a pageant and talent contest. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. April 19 with Plaza Garibaldi. Students from Sunnyside Unified School District, the Southwest and Mexico showcase their talents. Booths with traditional food and drinks and carnival games are part of the festival. The event closes with the main concert, “Noche de las Estrellas – La … Poca de Oro (The Golden Age).” When: 6-9 p.m. April 18, Plaza Garibaldi 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19, concert 6-10:30 p.m. April 19 Where: 1725 E. Bilby Road Price: Free admission to all events, except for concert, which is $8 in advance and $10 at the door Info: 545-5427

APRIL 19-20
ELLE WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT: For Passover, dine in or order takeout from the restaurant. When: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Where: 3048 E. Broadway Price: varies Info: 327-0500, www.ellerestaurant.com

APRIL 20
SABRA MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT: The Kosher restaurant is offering a seven-course seder dinner for passover. The complete menu is on its Web site. Reservations required. When: Call for times Where: 4210 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: $34.95 Info: 795-6060, www.sabraaz.com

MAY 3
FLOWER POWER: This fundraising event, based on the 1960s at the Peter & Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic, features tastings of flower-themed dishes created by Tucson Originals chefs, including Albert Hall of Acacia, Tom Mead of Terra Cotta and Jonathan Landeen of Jonathan’s Cork. Food and wine tastings and a silent auction are the warm-up to the main event – a live auction featuring original works of art from some of the most accomplished artists in the region. In keeping with the theme of the evening, most pieces have been inspired by flowers, including Michael Ive’s Ocotillo Blossoms, Barbara Gurwitz’s Fresh From the Garden and Tom Philabaum’s Glass Flowers. Proceeds benefit the Fasseas Cancer Clinic. When: 6 p.m. Where: 3838 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $175 (a portion is tax-deductible) Info: 694-6599, www.umcfoundation.org

TASTES OF THE SANTA CRUZ VALLEY WORKSHOP: At this daylong workshop at Desert Diamond Casino, learn the food histories of the region, producers and retailers of heritage foods. Event organizers also hope to to foster stronger connections between producers, retailers and consumers. Participants include local food producers, restaurants, grocers, food banks and nonprofit groups. Scheduled presenters are Suzanne Nelson of Native Seeds/SEARCH, Carolyn Reyes of San Xavier Farmers’ Coop, Janos Wilder of Janos and J Bar, Gary Nabhan, director of the Southwest Center of the University of Arizona, Jesus Garcia of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, natives foods and permaculture consultant Barbara Rose of Tucson and Jim Griffith, a research associate at the Soutwest Center. The registration fee covers a lunch from the casino’s Agave restaurant, featuring heritage foods. When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. workshop, 3-5 p.m. exhibition Where: 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita Price: $25 Info: 520-429-1394 www.santacruzheritage.org/ foods/workshop

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Unless noted, no reservations are needed and prices are per person and do not include tax or tip.

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