This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Thursday, January 26 and Saturday, January 28
The Mighty Oak Tawny Port Celebration at UW Carbone Cancer Center raises funds for brain cancer research. That's the disease that took the life of Wollersheim founder Bob Wollersheim, in 2005. The fundraiser will feature hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and artisan cheeses, with a barrel of the winery's 2005 Tawny Port serving as the main attraction. Wollersheim will uncork many more bottles on Saturday for its annual Port Wine Celebration, an all day party that offers pours of white and red ports, along with plates of chocolates and cheeses, winemaker talks, tours, live music, the "Pose with Port" photo contest, and more. Wollersheim Winery, 7876 Hwy. 188, Prairie du Sac, 6-9 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, $50 for Thursday fundraiser and free admission for Saturday festival. See Facebook and call 608-643-6515 for more info.
Friday, January 27
In Wisconsin, the Friday fish fry has the status of something between a tradition and an actual religion. One problem with a lot of fish fries statewide is that the food comes straight from boxes from frozen food giants. That's why the opportunity to dig in to a traditional Wisconsin fish fry featuring local ingredients is especially tantalizing. Hence, Fish & Burger Nights at the TEENworks program and the teen culinary program at Ironworks Café. On the menu: Fried walleye with choice of Wisconsin grown potatoes (fries or hash browns) and salad; for the fish-averse, a local grass-fed beef burger with fries and salad; or, for the vegetarians, a house-made veggie burger with fries and salad. Homemade chowder, desserts, and Wisconsin beers will also be available. All tables will be set with house-preserved vegetables, fresh-made dinner rolls, house-made tartar sauce, and malt vinegar. Dinners will be served in two seatings. More Fish & Burger Nights will be held on February 10 and 24. Ironworks Café, 149 Waubesa St., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. seatings, $16 entrees with other items for $3-7. See Facebook and call 241-1574 for more info.
Saturday, January 28
Bookless, a fundraiser for the new Madison Central Library, reinvents the old and soon-to-be-replaced space as a blank canvas for art and a big party. The festivities are hosted by the , craft cocktails by Merchant, and Facebook and call 266-6318 for more info.
More events this week
Tuesday, January 24
in the area, through Friday, January 27.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Lasagna class, with instructor Jennifer Jones demonstrating how to make homemade lasagna with her grandmother's special recipe. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Green Tuesdays, an educational series organized by Zwingli United Church of Christ, 1693 Hwy. 92, 6:30 p.m., free. Call 608-437-7811 for more info.
Wednesday, January 25
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Kombucha I class, with instructors Vanessa Tortolano and Alla Shapiro demonstrating the basics of preparing the lacto-fermented soft drink, complete with a homebrewing kit with a SCOBY, sugar, tea, jar and cover. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-7:15 p.m., $30 owners and $40 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Kombucha II class, with instructors Vanessa Tortolano and Alla Shapiro discussing intermediate techniques in preparing the lacto-fermented soft drink, including continuous brewing, vinegar, infusions, and other uses of the SCOBY. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 7:15-:8:30 p.m., $10 owners and $20 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Thursday, January 26
Wisconsin Local Food Summit, an annual two-day conference hosted by the , 2400 East Geneva St., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, and 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, $90. Call 715-339-5345 for more info.
Pie making class for kids to make fruit pies at the Pie in the Sky Diner. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., 10 a.m., free with $8 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
On the Wright Track: Mid-Winter Fresh Cooking class, with instructor Barbara Wright covering techniques and sharing recipes and tips for cooking vegetables. Gilda's ClubWhole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Vegetable Fermentation class, with instructor Mike Bieser covering the basics of lacto-fermenting veggies and their place in a daily diet. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $20 owners and $30 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Alpine Cheeses, a class that covers how to identify an "alpine" cheese, how they're made, their aging process and its effect on flavor, and how to pair them with different wines. Fromagination, 12 S. Carroll St., 6:30-8:30 p.m., $55. Call 255-2430 for more info.
Friday, January 27
Screening of Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6 p.m., free. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Toast Bar, a pop-up tasting hosted by the Bradbury's, 127 North Hamilton St., 7-9:30 p.m., $7. Call 204-0474 for more info.
Saturday, January 28
"Taste of the Market" breakfast at the Mermaid Cafe and volunteers preparing a menu of wild mushroom ragout over sourdough croutons (gluten-free alternative available), poached eggs, spinach salad with beets and raw milk cheddar, and an apple raspberry fruit bar. Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin St., 8 a.m.-noon, $8 adults and $4 kids and smaller portions. Call 455-1999 for more info.
Markets & Meals for Hope, a farmers' market and breakfast that benefits the Harvest of Hope Fund for Wisconsin farm families facing distress. Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 401 South Owen Rd., 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $10 donation for meal. Call 839-4758 for more info.
Evansville Farmers' Market, returning for a special indoor winter session. Beekeeping for Beginners class, an introductory workshop organized by the Valentine Card & Gift Sale hosted by Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, 18 Shake Rag St., Mineral Point, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $2 admission. Call 608-987-3292 for more info.
Gardening with Edibles in Containers class, with the instructor covering how to grow small fruits, dwarf fruit trees, and vegetables in containers and raised bed. Jung Garden Center-North, 1310 Northport Rd., 10:30 a.m., non-perishable donation to the River Food Pantry requested. Call 249-8120 for more info.
American Girl Tea Party, featuring snacks, crafts, and a raffle. Stoughton Library, 304 South Fourth St., Stoughton, 11 a.m. Call 873-6281 for more info.
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Human Trafficking Month Film Festival, a second annual event hosted by The Dark Side of Chocolate, a 2010 documentary by Miki Mistrati and U. Roberto Romano about the use of child labor on cocoa plantations in West Africa. The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., noon-6:30 p.m., free. Call 233-6761 for more info.
Peruvian Morning Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout and special anniversary release of 1414 (a stout aged 14 months in 14-year-old bourbon barrels), along with ongoing shuttles between the brewery and Guu's and hotels in Stevens Point, and live music. Pancake Breakfast, a 22nd annual fundraiser prepared by members of Oregon Senior Center, 219 Park St., 7 a.m.-noon, $5. Call 835-5801 for more info.
Country Breakfast, the 18th annual fundraiser presented by the Middleton High School Choral Boosters, featuring a meal of all-you-can-eat pancakes, ham, eggs, and fresh oranges, along with a silent auction and choral performances. Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol St., Middleton, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., $9 and $4 kids under 10. Call 836-1105 for more info.
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 2-3:30 p.m., $15. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Monday, January 30
Family Dinner Night, a weekly meal hosted by preparing an African menu for two seatings. The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., $5. Call 257-1039 for more info.
Save the date
Tuesday, January 31
An Evening with Hastings Cameron, a pop-up tasting hosted by the Queen Jennie Sorghum Whiskey from the Old Sugar Distillery, along with servings of sausages, veggies, and desserts. Old Sugar Distillery, 931 East Main St., 6-9 p.m., $45 and $38 service industry special. Purchase tickets Lobster Dinner, with a six-course menu and paired wines. Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $75. Call 255-6075 for more info.
