Today
Neapolitan-Style Pizza Night. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Come and spend the evening with Francesca in this hands-on experience, as she shares the secrets, tips, and tricks from her native Southern Italy, to the delectable Italian treasure that is Neapolitan-style pizza! With Francesca, you will master Neapolitan-style dough, and all of the fixings that go with it. Menu: Homemade dough filled with fresh ricotta and chopped prosciutto - and fried to a golden brown treat; homemade dough fried and then topped with a fresh tomato-basil sauce with mozzarella and parmigiano cheeses; homemade dough baked then topped with caramelized onions, gorgonzola cheese and fresh rosemary. Register online 48 hours in advance at www.annarborcooks.com.

Strong Ales: Arbor Brewing Co. Beer Tasting. 7-9 p.m. Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington, Ann Arbor. A chance to sample and learn about some two dozen strong ales, higher-alcohol versions of pale ales that are sometimes referred to as old ales, stock ales, or winter warmers. Also, barley wines, scotch ales, Double IPAs, and Belgian ales. Also, a drawing for beer-related prizes. The price of admission includes unlimited beer sampling and a German appetizer buffet. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 734-213-1393.

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-8:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, at the wine bar. Each Thursday evening, experts lead an exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. This week’s topic: White wines of France. (Note: These events were previously called Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief.) $17. 734-997-7500.

Friday
Third annual Appreciate + Reciprocate Benefit Dinner. 6:30-9:30 p.m. University of Michigan Palmer Commons, 100 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Appreciate + Reciprocate will host our biggest fundraising initiative ever to bring a diverse group of students, faculty, alumni, and community members together in support of the Emergency Scholarship Fund. With Heisman Trophy winner and Wolverine Desmond Howard as the featured speaker, we hope to reach $10,000 in proceeds for emergency scholarships. The event begins in the Great Lakes Room & Atrium with appetizers offered during a meet-and-greet from 6:30-7:15. A three-course dinner will then be served as speakers share their stories. Guests will also have the chance to bid on a variety of silent auction items, including a private cooking lesson with Zingerman's Roadhouse chef Alex Young, a two-night stay at the Oviatt House in Traverse City, a skating lesson with U.S. Olympian Emily Samuelson and more. Tickets at umichappreciate.org.

Spaghetti dinner. 5-8 p.m. American Legion Post #419, 9807 Whitewood Road, Pinckney. $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children 9 and under. 734-878-9522 or 734-341-4249.

Saturday
Wake & Bake. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. This class is offered through Washtenaw Community College, but held at Ann Arbor Cooks. This class makes baking relaxing and fun. We'll teach you everything you need to know for a great weekend baking experience in this full participation class. Menu: Gingerbread scones; chocolate-almond Danish; homemade crumpets; lemon curd. $75. Register at www.wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning.

Second Saturday Coffee Tour. 11 a.m.-noon. Zingerman’s Coffee Co., 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. This is an open-to-the-public, no reservation-required event. Sit down with Coffee Co. managing partners Allen and/or Steve to tour their facility and learn about coffee - where it’s grown, how it’s sourced and how it’s roasted. Finally, learn how to discern the subtle distinctions among the world’s finest coffees as you sample some new offerings and some old favorites brewed using a variety of techniques. Free. 734-929-6060.

Muchos Mangos. Noon-4 p.m. (repeats April 27) Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, in the produce department. This month we celebrate the Ataulfo mango, which has a smooth, creamy flesh, and a small, thin pit. It is one of the sweetest mango varieties and adds a fresh flavor and brightness to recipes. Join Alsan for a taste of this creamy, juicy mango. He’ll have recipe ideas to share. Buy a case, and get a discount. Free. 734-997-7500.

Dutch Dinner Party. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. The Netherlands are famous for their breakfast items around Europe. AND, it is tradition for many Europeans to travel to the North Sea coast in the spring to see the amazing fields of tulips and to enjoy its traditional foods. Join Chef Sonia, a native of Europe, as she takes you outside of your box to explore a new culture in this full participation class. Menu: Baby green salad with three traditional cheeses and housemade vinaigrette; asparagus with Sauce Hollandaise; traditional butter potatoes and ham; vlaii (fruit almond pie) with pudding sauce. $75. Register online 48 hours in advance at www.annarborcooks.com.

Saturday Farmers Market. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St., Ann Arbor. Find local produce and food from some of your favorite farmers as well as educational food demos and more. Free admission. Visit www.a2gov.org/market for more information.

Monday
Mexican Fiesta Cooking Class with Jan Kemp. 6-8 p.m. Ann Arbor Whole Foods, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, in the Cooking Classroom. Join us for a Mexican fiesta, Health Starts Here style. Healthy eating specialist Jan Kemp will prepare healthier versions of Tex-Mex favorites for you to sample. Come and enjoy the rich flavors and textures of traditional Mexican food without all the fat-laden ingredients. $15. Register at the Whole Foods Market customer service desk or call 734-975-4500.

Wine Tasting: Will the Real Chardonnay Please Stand Up?. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Chardonnay: This noble grape has gone from darling to fad, to more of a 'vogue', to something of a fad, again. It has been saturated with oak in the new world, and it has been some of the most expensive whites coming out of Burgundy and California. It has also been tried and true in Australia, Chile, Argentina, Oregon, Italy, Spain, and non-Burgundy France. We will taste the plenty that this grape has to offer, and the beauty and complexity it endeavors, and I will bring the un-oaked (naked) types, as well as the oaked, robed ones. We will try them and you will be the judge. $55. Register online 48 hours in advance at www.annarborcooks.com.

Cocktail Class: The Forgotten Whiskey. 7:30 p.m. Live/The Last Word, 102 S. First St., Ann Arbor. Rye whiskey once reigned supreme - especially on the East coast of the U.S. - but over time, Bourbon came to dominate. Now rye is making a comeback, and in this class Class taught by Tammy's Tastings, we'll taste a few examples and try out some cocktails that make the most of its spicier and drier character. Class is hands on, with lots of tasting opportunities. $35 in advance, $45 at the door. http://www.tammystastings.com/shop or 734-276-3215.

Milan Senior Nutrition Program. 11:45 a.m. Milan Senior & Community Activity Center, 45 Neckel Court, Milan. In partnership with the Washtenaw County Senior Nutrition Program, they offer a nutritionally balanced meal three afternoons a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone who is 60 years or older and a fee of $5 for anyone under the age of 60. They do ask for 48 hour advanced reservations. Call or stop by the office.

Tuesday
Bulk Basics: Cooking Grains. 6-7 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. This session will begin with a tour of the bulk department before moving into the Lifestyle Center for a cooking demonstration. Susan will provide an overview of different grain selections and how to cook them. Then, she’ll show favorite dishes featuring quinoa, rice and farro. $5. 734-997-7500.

Terra d’Oro Wine Dinner. 6:30 p.m. Palio, 347 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Terra d’Oro wines are rich, full of the character and intensity that perfectly captures the essence of California’s rugged Sierra Foothills, the “Land of Gold." This five-course wine dinner pairs with wines from Terra d’Oro. Meet winemaker Jeff Meyers as he introduces these wines. Appetizer: Pan-seared Maine diver scallop, leek and mushroom risotto and roasted red pepper coulis. Wine pairing: pinot grigio. Salad: Arugula and Belgian endive, blood orange, dried cherries, toasted Marcona almonds, goat cheese and sherry vinaigrette. Wine pairing: Barbera. Entree: Pan-roasted monkfish medallion, creamy savoy cabbage, crispy pancetta, and fingerling potatoes. Wine pairing: Sangiovese. Entree: Herb-crusted rack of lamb, braised escarole and chickpea puree. Wine pairing: Deaver. Dessert: Pear and almond tart. Wine pairing: Moscato.$69.95 each, all inclusive (tax and gratuity included). Reservations Required: 888-456-3463. Or see https://www.facebook.com/PalioAnnArbor/.

Lunch is Served. Noon-1 p.m. Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor. Repeats every Tuesday and Friday. Reservations are required with two days prior notice. Suggested donation for those over 60 years of age is $2.50, for all others, $5. Call 734-998-9353 for reservations.

Wednesday
(un)Corked Wine Tasting Event with Marimar Estate. 7:30-9 p.m. Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, on the third floor. Robert Salz, national sales manager for Marimar Estate, Sonoma County, Calif., will fill guests in on all of the estate's latest news, plans, and of course, wines. Try seven of their wines (all of them Chardonnay or Pinot Noir), which have been on the limelight lately because of some fantastic press and scores. In 1986, Marimar Torres (a part of the influential Spanish wine-family Torres) began planning the Don Miguel vineyard, a 56-acre property in a cool microclimate ideally suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today the property encompasses 81 acres, of which 30 are planted with Chardonnay and 30 with Pinot Noir. Also planted to Pinot Noir are 20 acres of a 180-acre property in West Sonoma County. The wines, made entirely from estate-grown grapes, are truly an expression of their unique terrior. $20. Purchase tickets online here: http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/467029 or in person at The Produce Station.

Rat Pad Releases. 6-9 p.m. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. Local amateur and professional brewers create imaginative beers on our 10-gallon Rat Pad brew system. We release these brews on the third Wednesday of each month and serve them at Corner while supplies last. Supplies are limited so come early. Anything left after 9 p.m. can be purchased to take home in a growler. No cover charge. 734-480-2739.

Wednesday Wine Tasting. 6 p.m. Paesano's Italian Restaurant, 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. This informal wine tasting allows patrons to sample five up and coming wines from Italy. Joined by one of Paesano's knowledgeable wine purveyors, the staff creates tasty appetizers to accompany the bold flavors. $25. www.paesanosannarbor.com.

Thursday, April 18
Grab-And-Go Dinner Party. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. The dishes in this class can be prepped ahead and popped into the oven just when your friends arrive. Great for a dinner party or casual enough for game night. We will make our own slider buns and use fresh pasta for the individual lasagnas in this full participation class. Menu: Fresh mini brioche turkey sliders with all the fixings; mini seasonal quiche; potato gratin in ramekins; individual lasagnas; spicy piquillo peppers filled with fresh herbed goat cheese. $75. Register online 48 hours in advance at www.annarborcooks.com.

Coney Dog and Root Beer Float Night. 5-8 p.m. American Legion Post #419, 9807 Whitewood Road, Pinckney. $1.25 per Coney dog. For more information call 734- 878-9522 or 734-341-4249.

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-8:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, at the wine bar. Each Thursday evening, experts lead an exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. (Note: These events were previously called Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief.) This week’s topic: Springtime favorites. $17. 734-997-7500.

To submit events for this calendar, e-mail calendar@annarbor.com.