Varli Indian Food Festival

 An annual Indian food, dessert and wine tasting event, the Varli Food Festival showcases the culinary creations of over 60 top-caliber restaurants and caterers, and promotes awareness of Indian cuisine and culture. World famous chefs will demonstrate their skills in crafting signature dishes, displaying first-hand the unique art of Indian cooking.

Tickets are pricy at $100 each, but the benefits are pretty cool:

• a FREE spice market allowing you to pick and choose Indian spices to take home and cook with
• a Celebrity Chef CookBook with recipes from each chef exhibiting at the event
• every festival attendee will receive a gift bag with $500 worth of gift certificates to local Indian restaurants
• a full open bar and wine kiosks
• several dessert stations 

 FestivalBuzz loves Indian food, and might be spotted here as well!

When: April 5, 2012 5-10PM
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion 125 West 18th Street
Website: http://www.varlifoodfestival.com

Taste Brooklyn... Mmmm... Tastes Good

Another of the popular "Taste" series features restaurants from Park Slope, Williamsburg and other points in Brooklyn, coming together for your gastronomic pleasure.  Tickets, often over $100 at swanky Taste events in Manhattan, start at $50.

When: April 3, 2012 5:30-9PM (VIPs enter at 5:30, public enters at 6:30PM)
Where: 155 Water Street at Pearl Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn
Website: http://www.brooklynexposed.com/index.php/tastingbrooklyn

Craicfest Irish Festival

The annual Irish festival of music & film returns to the Tribeca Film Center and Mercury Lounge in Manhattan. Kids Fleadh on March 10 with goodie bags, short films, step dancing and music.


When: March 8-10, 2012
Where: Tribeca Cinemas (Laight Street at Varick Street)
Website: http://thecraicfest.com/
http://www.tribecacinemas.com/craic2012.html

American Craft beer festival NYC

75 craft brewers will be sampling their work at the Armory in Murray Hill. Gourmet versions of traditional food paired with beer will also be available. There will be some brewing seminars from well known experts as well (schedule on website).  Tickets will get you in for one of two tasting sessions - in the afternoon and in the evening.

When: Saturday, March 3, 2012
Where: Lexington Ave Armory (68 Lexington Ave)
Website: nyccraftbeerfest.com

KidsCafe Goes To College - Modern Dance in College and Beyond

 Dancewave's Kids Cafe Festival offers serious high school dancers an opportunity to see dance departments from professionally-based college dance programs in the metropolitan area and beyond.

The college theme is a twist on Dancewave’s annual Kids Cafe Festival, a popular community event now in its 19^th year that invites high school dancers from all over New York City to perform dances created by both student and professional choreographers.


When: March 3-4, 2012, 3PM
Where: LIU Kumble Theater
Website: http://dancewave.org/kidscafe.php

Flamenco Festival 2012 at NY City Center

 The four-day celebration of flamenco returns to New York City with four renowned flamenco groups performing. A beginner's flamenco lesson is offered for all ticket holders 90 minutes before each performance in the lobby at the architecturally gorgeous City Center.
 
When: March 1-4, 2012
Where: New York City Center
Website: http://www.nycitycenter.org/tickets/productionNew.aspx?performanceNumber=6264

This Weekend: 2012 Wine Expo at Javits Center

Over 600 wines for sampling and seminars (sign up for each individually). Two sessions of Grand Tasting on Friday or Saturday. Discover vendors of wine pairings and wine accessories, too.

MONEY SAVER: if you search AM New York print edition and/or follow Oasis Day Spa on the website, you will find $15 discount codes.
 
When: March 2-3, 2012
Where: Javits Center (34th St at 11th Ave)
Website: NewYorkWineExpo.com