CRAFTNEWYORK Benefit for CERF+

This craft show has 120 craftspeople with specialties in everything from jewelry to glass to textile and fiber arts exhibiting in the 7W show room center. Tickets are $15 (discounted for seniors and students and under 18 enter free).

Admission profits will go to benefit the Craftmens Emergency Relief Fund + Artists' Emergency Resources), an emergency fund that helps craftsmen and artists.

When: April 1-3, 2011

Where: 7W showrooms (34th Street @ 5th Ave)

Website:  CRAFTNEWYORK.COM

Show Overview : Show Information : Architectural Digest Home Design Show : March 17 – 20, 2011 : Pier 94 : NYC

Show Overview : Show Information : Architectural Digest Home Design Show : March 17 – 20, 2011 : Pier 94 : NYC

Designers, renovators, homebodies and anyone else with a design fetish or urge to decorate, get excited for the 2011 Architechtural Digest Home Show.

This show is also a real trade show, so you know the heavy hitters will show up. Over 300 brands are promised to exhibit, and presentations include design seminars, cooking demos, and - for the lucky few who show up early enough - one on one design consultations.

After drooling at the latest home fixtures and furnishings, head over to an artist sale and exhibition at Pier 92, and accessorize with the latest in original artwork.

Show tickets are $25 each, you can purchase them on the show's website.

When: March 18-20 (Trade only on March 17)

Where: Pier 94 @ 55th Street

Website: http://www.archdigesthomeshow.com

CRAICFest: Irish Cinema and Music Festival

An Irish themed music and film festival, the CRAIC features the best coming out of Ireland, with their unique sounds and perspective on life.  Films screen at Tribeca Cinema (54 Varick Street) while musical acts (a steal at $15 per night) perform at Mercury Lounge. March 9th, the festival's musical opener  -  internationally acclaimed Julia Feeney - will perform at Joe's Pub.

Kids are not forgotten. The Kid's Fleadh (pronounced FLAH) will go off March 12 at Tribeca Cinemas. Featuring the best of Irish short films, this event is free.

When: March 10th-14th, 2011
Where: Tribeca Cinemas (Film) 54 Varick Street, Joe's Pub (Music) Lafayette Street at Astor Place, Mercury Lounge (Music) 217 E Houston Street
Website: http://www.thecraicfest.com

New York International Children's Film Festival

Dedicated to making good children's film accessible, the 2011 New York International Children's Film Festival has begun and extends to March 27. Featuring child-accessible cinema from around the world (both short and full length features), you will find an appropriate, entertaining and enriching experience for your child, from toddler to teenager.  Coupled with talks aimed at making the elements of filmmaking accessible (such as green screen technology), the 2011 NYICFF is a smart approach to introducing the younger set to quality cinema.

When: March 4-27, 2011
Where: Various Theaters around Manhattan
Website: http://www.gkids.com

BUY TICKETS NOW! Big Apple BBQ

It's free to go, and you can buy food for as little as $4, but you'll be waiting in some crazy lines and you might miss out on the most sought-after pitmasters' masterwork. BUT, $125 FastPasses are on sale now through May 31. FastPasses come preloaded with $100 food credit and give you access to a special line. So if you love barbeque (and this event might make you love it if you don't), bump over to the Big Apple BBQ website and purchase your FastPass.

When: June 11th, 2011 11AM-6PM

Where: Madison Square Park and Vicinity (Madison Ave and 23rd-26th StreetS)

Website: Big Apple BBQ

A Child Grows in Brooklyn Baby Expo at Toren 3/13!

Brooklyn blog A Child Grows in Brooklyn is organizing the Brooklyn Baby Expo March 13.  Hosted by the newly built Toren Condo, the expo features seminars on the cutting edge of parenting, and resources for parenting in the Big Apple, none of which is easy.

Seminars begin at 10:15. Topics include greening your home and forming parenting partnerships. Exhibits include demos and tryouts of the latest in toys and gear for both baby and mama (nursing bras anyone?).  Other fun activities include baby yoga, mini manicures and blowouts for the makeover set, and the ability to do those things you mean to but never get around to (get that Brooklyn Library Card!).

The Expo is heavy on the swag, promising a $120 value gift bag to the first 250 families, free gifts at each seminar by their respective sponsors, and a free subscription to Time Out NY Kids to every family that attends. The Expo is providing free parking as well, so don't be afraid to bring the family.

FB prefers festivals with low or no entrance fees. At $35 a ticket, this is not a particularly cheap festival, but the value of the free giveaways, combined with the breadth of seminars, activities and demos offered seems worth it.  And you can admire the amazing views from the Toren penthouses. Make yourself at home, and the nice folks at Toren will be all too happy to help you make it home.

When: March 13, 11AM-4PM
Where: 150 Myrtle Ave (Toren Condo), Brooklyn, NY 11201
Website: http://www.achildgrows.com/expo

Why Hometown Festivals are Getting Bigger & Better

2010 was a heavy travel year for FestivalBuzz, who is also rather heavy. Mr. FestivalBuzz, meanwhile, is over 6 feet tall. Springing for the extra 5" of leg room eased our flight times somewhat. But it also reminded me why we prefer to stay on the East Coast when it comes to travel - trains and buses have much more legroom and seat room. Not to mention having to return to LaGuardia 3 days after making it home during the December 2010 blizzard to retrieve our luggage, which the airlines wouldn't release to us after cancelling our flight.

And it's not getting better:

No Rosy Future Ahead for Air Passengers - On the Road - NYTimes.com

FestivalBuzz knows it's not cheap to travel. Sometimes festivals can be expensive ($45 for many food festivals, for instance). But we prefer to look on the brighter side: you don't have to waste days traveling or squeeze into uncomfortable contortions for hours on end; you sleep in your own bed at night (unless you want to spring for a hotel to complete the "away" feeling); and you won't lose your luggage.

Meditation Fair Inspired By Sri Chimnoy

Think there's something to meditation but want to get started with guidance? Or are you a practiced hand at dropping into bliss?  There is something for both at the upcoming Festival of Meditation and Spirituality. Hosted by nycmeditation.com, a site inspired by the teachings of the late Sri Chimnoy, the festival goes on for 8 days and addresses the idea of meditation, spirituality and self-awareness and discovery through different media, including a concert of mantra, art exhibits, a play based on Sri Chimnoy's early life, and a free 3 day workshop on meditation technique.  Those looking for a new path may find food for thought here. Most activities are free but reservations are required in advance.

When: March 5-13, 2011

Where: 166 Essex Street

Website: http://www.nycmeditation.org

BUY TICKETS: Brooklyn Uncorked 2011 | Edible Manhattan

EARLY BIRD ALERT

Early bird tickets are available for the 2011 Brooklyn Uncorked event at Brooklyn Academy of Music until March 15, 2011. More than just a wine tasting, Brooklyn Uncorked is all about local food and wine, with wine makers from all over the 5 boroughs and Long Island, and local fresh food restaurants offering pairings. Among our favorites, Applewood and Buttermilk Channel.

Early bird tickets are $30, discounted 25% from the $40 regular price. This event will sell out, so save money and plan ahead.

When: May 10, 2011 6-9PM

Where: Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Website: Brooklyn Uncorked 2011 | Edible Manhattan