upcoming events

“Vanishing Orchards” Screening – Thursday, May 23, 6 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. screening. Come see a film about apple growing in Rhode Island with a Q&A with the producer after. Tickets are available at the theater and online. For more information see vanishingorchards.com. A local Newport company Ciders of Spain will be featuring it’s artisan hard cider on sale at our counter and a musical performance prior to the film by the New England contra dance band The French Connection. Contact Alex Castera, Producer, alexcaserta@gmail.com, 401-943-5228. Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro St., Newport, RI 02840.

Armory Farmers Market Opening and Seafood Throwdown – Thursday, May 30, 4 – 6 p.m. (Market open from 3:30 – 7 p.m.) Two local chefs will compete, using a local mystery fish, to win top honors at the first Rhode Island Seafood Throwdown hosted by the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance. The Local Catch, a vendor at the Armory Market, will provide the mystery fish and after sampling the chefs’ creations, you can purchase some for yourself! Chef James Mark of north in the West End will be competing against Armory Market regular, Peter Gobin of Mijos Tacos. The event will be emceed by Michael Gazdacko, Director of Development and Operations at Urban Smart Growth and Host of Providence PechaKucha Night, and John Taraborelli, Special Projects Manager at Providence Media. Providence / Armory Farmers Market, Dexter Training Ground on Parade St., Providence, RI 02909.

CHARITYRevolution to benefit Gotta Have Sole Foundation – Thursday, May 30, 6 – 8 p.m. Gotta Have Sole Foundation, Inc.’s mission is to provide children living in shelters across the United States with brand-new footwear to call their own. Guests of the restaurant will be asked for a $5 donation and raffle tickets will be $5 a piece with all money going directly to Gotta have Sole Foundation at the end of that evening. In addition, we will be collecting shoe donations on this evening as well. The Cuban Revolution, 60 Valley St., Providence, RI 02909.

Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro Palmaz Wine Dinner – Thursday, May 30, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner. We originally became familiar with Palmaz Wines at the Nantucket Wine Festival back in 2011. Last year we visited their incredible facility in Napa Valley and concluded we simply have to do a wine dinner with them to bring their story to our guests. Their passion and absolute drive for perfection is a trait that is rarely seen nowadays. The Palmazes bought a forgotten stone winery, a fine old house badly in need of renovation, and acres of land that had once produced fine Napa wines. The little valley had been the site of Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery, founded in 1881 by Henry Hagen, one of Napa Valley’s pioneer winemakers. Henry Hagen produced wines that garnered many awards, including a silver medal at the Paris Exposition of 1889. During that era, Cedar Knoll was one of Napa’s premier wineries. The vineyards survived the Wine Country’s phylloxera infestation in the 1890s, but Prohibition was fatal. The winery fell into disrepair and the vineyards lay fallow for nearly eighty years. Today, the vineyards are burgeoning, the restored Hagen house is a family home again, and the winery has been reinvented. Join us as we celebrate this amazing estate with their East Coast sales representative, Alan Greenberg, who knows these amazing wines inside and out. Chef Lacy has been working overtime to put together a pairing menu that you will not soon forget. View menu online. Call 508-203-WINE (9463) for reservations. Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro, 201 Patriot Place, Foxboro, MA 02035.

Jonathan Edwards Winery Spring Festival – Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2, 12 – 6 p.m. What better way to kick off the season than with our Annual Spring Festival complete with gourmet food vendors, an artisans tent and dancing to 2 different bands each day.  A great opportunity to taste the latest wine releases and newest vintages! Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.  Kids under 21 free with an adult. 10% CT admissions tax included. Your ticket entitles you to the signature wine glass, tasting voucher, and the afternoon of entertainment and fun!  Tickets are valid for both festival days. Purchase tickets online here. Jonathan Edwards Winery, 74 Chester Maine Rd., North Stonington, CT 06359.

The 32nd Polar Seltzer Great Chowder Cook-Off – Saturday, June 1, 12 – 6 p.m. Featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel, the legendary Polar Seltzer Great Chowder Cook-Off officially kicks off summer in Newport on Saturday, June 1, 2013. The original and longest running chowder championship draws competitors and crowds from across the country. Attendees enjoy endless samples of traditional and exotic creations from dozens of restaurants and then vote for the best in three categories: Clam, Seafood and Creative. The winners walk away with overflowing prize pots and bragging rights for the year. Live entertainment, food and bar options, kids’ activities sweeten the deal for all festival-goers. Purchase tickets online here. Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI 02840.

Stock Culinary Goods Adult Cookie Design and Decoration with Eye Cookies - Sunday, June 2, 4 – 6 p.m. There is no subject that artist Katrin Wingels Schnippering cannot turn into a topical, adorable and delicious cookie. Her bakery Eye Cookies has produced award winning sugar cookies with shapes and icings that feature such diverse images as Psy, injured feet, the Beatles, bunco dice, and a whole lot of shapes you might expect, such as flowers and hearts. Katrin joins us again, this time for a cookie decorating class geared to adults. Hard to say what shapes and designs will result, but you can bet they will be timely and amusing. $25 / 2 hours + cookies! Adult 18+. Max. class size 8. Please RSVP to jan@stockpvd.com. Stock Culinary Goods, 756 Hope St., Providence, RI 02906.

14th Annual Federal Hill Stroll – Tuesday, June 4, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Mangia Bene! Stroll through one of Providence’s most flavorful neighborhoods, while sampling signature cuisine or enjoying exclusive discounts at restaurants, shops and galleries. For one low price of $30 plus tax, you will receive an admission button, two free beverages, and a special map to guide you to participating venues. The evening also includes musical entertainment and the chance to vote for your favorite venues and help crown this year’s King of the Hill, and the Most Creative Venue. One lucky voter will win dinner for two on Federal Hill. Tickets are limited, so don’t miss out! Rain or Shine. No Refunds. Click here to purchase tickets now!

SVF Foundation 2013 Annual Visitors Day – Saturday June 8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Looking for some family fun this summer? Interested in learning more about heritage breed livestock? Join SVF Foundation for our annual Visitors Day celebration, and enjoy a day packed with fascinating information and fun activities, all set on SVF’s breathtaking 35-acre property in Newport, Rhode Island. This event is free to the public. Parking will be available at Fort Adams State Park and free transportation will be provided by trolley from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be no parking available at SVF. For more information call 401-848-7229 or email info@svffoundation.org. Fort Adams State Park (parking), 90 Fort Adams Dr., Newport, RI 02840.

East Bay Beer Festival 2013 – Saturday, June 14, 12 – 4 p.m. The Hopkins Center for Civil Rights, with the support of Brickyard Wine & Spirits and The East Bay Home Brew Club Present a Local Beer Festival Featuring all the Great Rhode Island Breweries in one beautiful waterfront location right alongside the Blount Clam Shack on historic Water Street in Warren! The  First Annual East Bay Beer Festival is also a Fundraiser to Benefit two  great local charities – The Hopkins Center and TAP-IN! We’ll also have raffles for cool swag and a live brewing demonstration with Carl from Brew Horizons Homebrew Supply! Not only will this event raise funds for two great causes, it will feature some of Rhode Island’s premier breweries! $20/person, purchase tickets online here. Blount Clam Shack, 335 Water St., Warren, RI 02885.

Stonington Vineyards Annual Summer Food & Wine Festival – Saturday, June  15 & Sunday, 16, 12 – 6 p.m. It’s just not summer without our Annual Summer Wine Festival! We are really stepping things up this year and this event is no exception.  Four live bands, gourmet food truck vendors, photo booths, Father/child relay races, wine tastings and more! Tickets are  $15 in advance; $20 at the door, are good for both days and are non-refundable.  Kids under 18 free with parent. Picnics welcome. Fun as a couple, a family or with a large group of friends! Purchase tickets online here. Reservations will be held under your name at the door. Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Rd., Stonington, CT 06378.

Easy Entertaining Inc. Father’s Day Lunch – Sunday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The manliest lunch around. Three-course prix-fixe lunch, view menu online, reservations only, $21.95 adults, kids $13.95. BYO. Call 401-437-6090 for reservations. THE CAFE at Easy Entertaining Inc., 166 Valley St. Bld. 10, Providence, RI 02909.

Raw Wine at The Steel Yard – Thursday, June 20, 6 – 9 p.m. Raise funds for the Steel Yard while sampling organic & natural wines from the portfolios of Jenny & Francois, Savio Soares, José Pastor, Wine Traditions, Kermit Lynch, Dressner, Rosenthal, Indie Wineries and more. Food and snacks courtesy of our friends at Chez Pascal, Olive del Mondo, Seven Stars Bakery, Sin Desserts, Walrus & Carpenter Oysters…plus live music & raffle prizes! Tickets: $40 in advance, $50 day of event. Available at Campus Fine Wines & The Steel Yard. The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence, RI 02909.

RI FOOD FIGHTS Incredible ICE CREAM Throwdown! – Sunday, June 23, 2 – 5 p.m. Who has the VERY BESTEST ICE CREAM in Rhode Island? Last year was GaGa, the Inside Scoop, and Three Sisters! Who is YOUR favorite? We’ll have close to 2 dozen ice cream of the state’s BEST on hand for YOU to decide! For $10 you are an RI FOOD FIGHTS VIP! You will sample so much of the state’s BEST ice cream you will get a BRAIN FREEZE! Fear not! Coffee, sodas, milk and cookies will be on hand to thaw you out! Last year’s throwdown SOLD OUT. ALL of our events have SOLD OUT! Please get YOUR tickets now. Rhode Island Eye Institute, 150 East Manning St., Providence, RI 02906.

Northern Alliance Dinner – Sunday, June 23, 6 p.m. Join ten chefs for an exclusive event to raise funds for the American Farmland Trust. Witness the comraderie of friendly competition, celebrate head-to-tail ideals, support small family farms and enjoy traditional & neo-traditional Northern American cuisine. Acclaimed US chefs Jamie Bissonnette of Boston’s Toro and Coppa restaurants, April Bloomfield of NYC’s The Spotted Pig and The Breslin, NYC’s Zak Pelaccio, Boston’s Ken Oringer and Matt Jennings of Farmstead in Providence will team up with their Canadian counterparts Matty Matheson of Parts and Labor, Maison Publique’s Derek Damann, Lee Cooper of L’Abbatoir, Rob Gentile of Buca and Raymonds’ Jeremy Charles to bring you a special reception and multi-course dinner, all to benefit the American Farmland Trust. Tickets for the 6 p.m. reception followed by a multi-course dinner prepared by all 10 chefs are $250 per person. Tickets can be purchased online. jm Curley, 21 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111.

RI Food Policy Council June Food Matters – Tuesday, June 25, 6 – 8 p.m. John Weaver, Chair of the Production Work Group will facilitate a panel discussion on “RI Institutions Purchasing RI Foods:  Challenges & Possible Solutions.” More information and registration to come at rifoodcouncil.org. Kent County Hospital, 455 Toll Gate Rd., Warwick, RI 02886.

CHARITYRevolution to benefit The Ronald McDonald House Providence – Thursday, June 27, 6 – 8 p.m. Guests of the restaurant will be asked for a $5 donation and raffle tickets will be $5 a piece with all money going directly to The Ronald McDonald House Providence at the end of that evening. Raffles, light refreshments, free parking. The Cuban Revolution, 60 Valley St., Providence, RI 02909.

Farm Fresh RI Local Food Fest – Tuesday, August 6, 4 p.m. preview hour or 5 p.m. general admission. An evening celebrating Rhode Island farmers, fishermen and food artisans. Featuring two dozen local farmers and producers, teamed up with chefs from Castle Hill, Newport Restaurant Group and ten more. Plus, local wines, beers, live music, a photo booth and a silent auction. Tickets are $125 for extra preview hour or $75 general admission, available for purchase online. Open to the public. Ticket sales are capped and we anticipate will sell out. All tickets are online this year. Your ticket is paperless; your name will be on the guestlist. Kids under 12 are free. Tickets include food and a choice of a local wine or beer. Additional drinks can be purchased at the welcome table. Castle Hill Inn, 590 Ocean Dr., Newport, RI 02840.

Outstanding in the Field with Gracie’s at Blackbird Farm – Saturday, August 31, 3 p.m. Our mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it. Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table. $210 per person excluding tax and ticket fee. Order tickets online. Blackbird Farm, 122 Limerock Rd., Smithfield, RI 02917.

Outstanding in the Field with birch at Sweet Berry Farm – Tuesday, September 3, 3 p.m. Our mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it. Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table. $210 per person excluding tax and ticket fee. Order tickets online. Sweet Berry Farm, 19 3rd Beach Rd., Middletown, RI 02842.

The The 8th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival – September 20-22. The most sophisticated wine and food festival on the East Coast has quickly become one of the most anticipated food and wine events in the country.  Rosecliff, The Elms and Marble House host the world’s finest vintners and many of New England’s finest restaurants and caterers for a remarkable three-day experience.  Don’t miss it! The Elms, Rosecliff & Marble, Newport, RI 02840.

Southside Community Land Trust’s Harvesting Hope: A Fundraiser for SCLT – Wednesday, September 25, 6 – 8 p.m. To celebrate another year of SCLT helping people in Greater Providence grow food in the city and to toast to a deeper commitment to growing food everywhere. Harvesting Hope is an evening event that will feature the inspiring stories and delicious fare that have made this SCLT’s signature fundraising event. Against the stunning post-industrial backdrop of the Steel Yard’s two-acre site, the evening’s program will feature moving testimonials, visionary remarks by SCLT’s Executive Director, Margaret DeVos. Guests will be treated to delicious beverages and locally grown food, and leave the night with a goodie bag full of autumnal produce grown by members of SCLT’s Providence Community Growers Network, plus a deeper commitment to growing food everywhere! Proceeds from Harvesting Hope will support SCLT’s core program activities, including expansion of the Providence Community Growers Network to help people grow more food in all neighborhoods of Providence. More information to come during the summer regarding ticket prices and event partners. Tent at the Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence, RI 02909.