This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Thursday, April 14
We must admit we have a morbid fascination with the Titanic Dinner (PDF) at Steenbock's on Orchard, 330 N. Orchard St., 6:30 p.m., $50 or $75 with wine pairings. Call 469-2316 for more info.
Saturday, April 16
Everyone is partial to the Dane County Farmers' Market, it seems. Chefs, suburbanites, apartment dwellers. And here we start up for another season outdoors. Never mind that it's really early to expect much bounty from the Capitol Square, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 455-1999 for more info.
We are also partial to the Isthmus Green Day expo, a ballroom full of great ideas and ways to go green. Just a couple things going on specifically about food at the festival: you can learn to make your own solar oven, with cardboard and glue and aluminum foil, at ongoing workshops. And you can get up close with the "Fabulous Beekman Boys" of the Planet Green reality TV show. The two run their own healthy, green-friendly Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $5 and bike/bus/foot commuters and kids under 12 free. Call 251-5627 for more info.
Sunday, April 17Capital Brewery in Middleton celebrates a quarter-century of craft beer with an open house this afternoon. Founded in 1986 and one of the first microbreweries to open in Wisconsin, Capital is renowned for it's German-style lagers and bocks. The brewery is marking the anniversary with this party, at which brewmaster Kirby Nelson will commence work on a new anniversary creation named "Eternal Fame." Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, 1-5 p.m. Call 836-7100 for more info.
More events this week
Wednesday, April 13
We Are What We Eat: Vegan Thinking, a talk and quarterly presentation by Ashman Library, 733 N. High Point Rd., 7 p.m., free. Call 257-6333 for more info.
In the Kitchen with Cathy: Raw Italy cooking class, with Cathy Thomas demonstrating how to prepare vegan Caesar salad with zucchini fettuccini and sauces. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Thursday, April 14
, a class taught by Dane County UWEX horticulture educator Lisa Johnson that covers the selection, care and harvesting of raspberry bushes. Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., 6:30 p.m., $15. Call 246-4550 for more info.Friday, April 15
Prairie Chicken Festival, a three-day Six Spices with Neeta Saluja cooking class, with the chef preparinga menu of lamb korma, chapati, and sprouted moong bean salad. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Saturday, April 16
Earth Day Festival, a spring Circle Sanctuary, 5354 Meadowvale Rd., Barneveld, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., free but donations welcome. Call 608-924-2216 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.
East Side History Club meeting, with a Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 2-4 p.m., free. Call 347-7329 for more info.
Crack Heard Round the World, an attempt by Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 2 p.m., free. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Sunday, April 17
REAP snack prep, with volunteers needed to prepare and package fresh, healthy, and locally-grown treats for kids at 14 elementary schools around Madison. class, with instructor Tara Verma demonstrating how to prepare, preserve, and serve fruit- and vegetable-based foods for infants. Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 2-3:30 p.m., $15. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Vegan Cakes & Frostings baking class, with instructors Kristie Chijimatsu and Cara Moseley demonstrating how to use one basic recipe to prepare multiple varieties of this standard dessert. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 2-4 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Polish Heritage Club Spring Festival, an annual Palm Sunday celebration of Easter traditions in Poland, featuring a luncheon of kielbasa and pierogi, a Polish bake sale, an arts and crafts sale of imported products, egg painting (pisanki) demonstrations and displays, children's activities, and live music. Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Marion Hall, 4913 Schofield St., Monona, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 516-0182 for more info.
Sunday Dinner, a meal celebrating spring hosted by the Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., 12:30 p.m., $3.50. Please RSVP by noon on April 15, and call 251-8405 for more info.
Monday, April 18
Family Dinner Night, a weekly meal hosted by The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., 6:30 p.m., $5. Call 257-1039 for more info.
