Wine 101 at Vine & Table

On the way to dinner in Carmel last night, we stopped by Vine & Table to stock up on our supply of the store's excellent hummus. At the register, we found something even more interesting: a flier for an "Intro to Wine" class series taking place from June to August. Here's the schedule.

Session 1: Intro to Wine

• June 18: Wine 101.
• July 2: Classic white grapes.
• July 16: Classic red grapes.

Session 2: Beverage and the Dinner Table

• July 30: Food and wine pairing 101.
• Aug. 13: Classic aperitifs.
• Aug. 27: Classic digestifs.

Classes are $30 each, which includes tastings; register for all six or just three. To register, call (317) 817-9463.

Navajo Day at the Eiteljorg

Haven't been to the Eiteljorg since a fourth-grade field trip? Maybe this will draw you in. Next Saturday, April 12, is Navajo Day at the museum. Activities include:

• A Navajo rug trunk show.
• Demonstrations of Navajo weaving, drum-making, sheep shearing and silver-smithing.
• A cooking demonstration (Navajo fry bread).
• Lectures on weaving and Navajo code talkers.
• A tour of Navajo objects in the galleries.
• Hands-on activities and several film showings.

Sounds like fun! I tried authentic fry bread on a trip out west last year, and it should be worth the visit to the museum on its own.

Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know

Today, I'm presenting our first installment of the Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know feature. This week's topic: the "Build Your Own Dulcimer" workshop at the Indiana State Museum. Led by folk artist Cris Crismore, the five-day workshop (May 12-16) will teach students how to build and play their own dulcimers. The workshop is part of the Indiana Performing Arts Festival.

What the heck is a dulcimer, anyway? According to Wikipedia, it's a "fretted string instrument of the zither family," which clears things right up. Apparently I need to take this class.

Cost is $45 (or $25 for museum members), which includes materials. Reservations are required.

Update: Follow the North Star

We just received our tickets for Conner Prairie's "Follow the North Star" program, and guess what? They came with a disclaimer and liability release, which must be signed by all participants. Apparently the rumor I've heard about the program being "intense" is true. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Shakespeare in Cincinnati

I'm going to break a couple of rules here. This post isn't about Indianapolis, and it isn't about a learning opportunity, per se. But I think many of you might be interested, nonetheless.

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company just announced its 2008-2009 season. We are huge fans of this group and make the two-hour drive to see every Shakespeare play the group performs. (They do a few non-Shakespeare plays, as well.) If you're a fan of Shakespeare, it's more than worth the trip. And adult tickets are a steal at only $26 apiece.

The new season includes:

• Hamlet: Oct. 17 - Nov. 16, 2008
• Twelfth Night: Dec. 5, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009
• Timon of Athens: Feb. 27 - March 22, 2009
• The Comedy of Errors: April 3 - 26, 2009

Go ahead and order, because we already have our tickets reserved. Good old seats 7 and 8, right smack in the front row.

Chef's Academy Classes

The Chef's Academy has two community cooking classes coming up, both from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. I've never taken one of the Chef's Academy classes, mostly because they seem a bit pricey to me ($75 each). So if you end up taking one, let us know how it goes! It may be worth it.

• April 12 -- Italian food -- Create a traditional five-course Italian meal featuring Northern Italian flavors.
• April 26 -- Knife skills.

Visiting Writers

Two interesting events are coming up this month in Butler University's visiting writer series.

On April 9, the university is hosting Chris Abani, a Nigerian author who spent several years as a political prisoner in his war-torn country. His books include "Song for Night," "The Virgin of Flames" and "Becoming Abigail."

On April 16, Michael Chabon will be in town to discuss his books, which include "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh," "Wonder Boys," "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" (which won the Pulitzer Prize) and "The Yiddish Policemen's Union."

Both lectures take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Atherton Union Reilly Room. Admission is free; no reservation required.