Lake Erie Wine Country hosts Wine & Cheese Weekend April 21-23

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Stuart Miles

Lake Erie Wine Country kicks off the 2017 season with their annual Wine & Cheese Weekend event, taking place Friday through Sunday, April 21-23. Ticket holders can visit any or all of the 22 participating wineries, where they will enjoy a special wine paired with food samples created with Yancey’s Fancy cheeses.

This year, each winery has chosen a country around which they developed their food and wine pairing. Countries including Austria, Mexico, Poland, Trinidad and India will be represented. There is a diverse and delicious array of food offerings for this year’s “international” cheese and wine event. Streusel Kuchen, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, Grape Chutney, and Bavarian Cheddar Ale Soup are just some of the food samples that can be savored along with the perfect complementary wine.

Tickets are now on sale for Wine & Cheese Weekend at only $38 per person; one ticket is good for all three days. They may be purchased online at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org before Tuesday, April 18 at 10 a.m. Tickets are usually sold-out before this deadline, so advanced purchase is necessary. 

A designated driver ticket is available for only $20 and includes everything but wine. Friday and/or Sunday only tickets are only $28 each. This entitles ticket holders to enjoy all of the benefits of the event on Friday and/or Sunday only, but not on Saturday. As in the past, ticket holders will receive a food and wine pairing sample at each winery, additional wine tastes, a wine glass, recipe booklet, $5 voucher for wine purchase, and this year, a gift of another $5 voucher.

Ticket holders plan their own itinerary, enjoying each winery on a self-guided tour on Friday from noon-6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Wine & Cheese Weekend will kick-off a busy 2017 tourist season in the region. Throughout the summer, the 22 individual wineries will host their own special events that include free concerts in the vineyards, vineyard walks, festivals, winemaker’s dinners and other exciting event offerings. Special events for all wineries are listed at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org. There are also listings for lodging, dining, transportation and other area attractions.

M&T First Friday: April 7, 2017

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On the first Friday of each month, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, opens the doors to the 1962 Knox Building to the public free of charge from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Drop-in Art Activity – 10 a.m.-noon and 5-7 p.m. – free for all ages in the Education classrooms.
• Family Fun Tour – 11-11:45 a.m. – free in the 1962 Building.
• ArtCart – Shantell Martin: Someday We Can – noon-1:30 p.m. – free in the Sculpture Court.
• Studio Art Class for Adults: Acrylic Painting – 1-3 and 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – 1:30-2:30 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• “What’s Your Vision?” Tour – 4-5 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – live music in the AK Café featuring Gruvology.
• Gallery Talk – Jacob Kassay: OTNY and Eric Mack: Vogue Fabrics –6-6:30 p.m. – free lecture with Curatorial Assistant Jasmine Magana in the 1905 Building.
• Live Short-Order Ekphrastic Poems by Just Buffalo Writing Center – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – free in the 1962 Building’s Lower Level Galleries.
• Gallery Talk – Tamar Guimaraes and Kasper Akhoj: Studies for a Minor History of Trembling Matter and Willa Nasatir – 7-7:30 p.m. – free lecture with Curatorial Assistant Jasmine Magana in the 1905 Building.
• Studio Art Class for Adults: Charcoal Drawing – 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Shantell Martin in Conversation with Curator of Public Art Aaron Ott – 7:30-8:30 p.m. – free in the Auditorium.
• The Art of Drink: Bootleg Bucha – 8:30-9:30 p.m.  in the AK Café - $10 general admission, $5 for members.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register and find more information at www.albrightknox.org.

Five Things to do in April 2017

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Buffalo Wine Festival – Saturday, April 1, with sessions from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. Every ticket holder receives a keepsake wine glass, samples, entertainment and more. Tickets are $35 in advance and available at the link above.

Seaster at the Aquarium – Saturday, April 8 at the Aquarium of Niagara, 701 Whirlpool St. in Niagara Falls. Visit with the Easter Bunny ($5 for photo – noon-12:45 and 1:45-2:30 p.m.) and join in the Jello Egg Toss ($5 per egg – Sea Lions – 11:20 a.m. and 1:20 p.m., Seals – 10:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m.).

Food Truck Tuesdays – beginning Tuesday, April 11 and continuing through October 3, visit Larkin Square from 5-8 p.m. every Tuesday (except July 4) and sample from up to 28 food trucks  around Larkinville. There will also be live music weekly and more fun at the surrounding breweries and distilleries.

Taste of the Trail – Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 and 29-30, at participating wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail. Tickets include three tastings and food samples at each winery as well as a commemorative wine glass at your first winery. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. – tickets are $25 in advance for one weekend ($30 at the door) or $40 for both weekends ($45 at the door).

Sips, Suds and Sweets – Thursday, April 27 from 6-9 p.m. at Fox Run at Orchard Park, One Fox Run in Orchard Park. The fourth annual event is a beer, wine and dessert tasting with a number of vendors plus live music, silent auctions, basket raffles and more – event supports the Senior Wishes organization. Tickets for the 21-and-over event are $50 presale and $60 the day of the event.

BfloGirlSports: April 2017 Buffalo Bisons schedule

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• Thursday through Sunday, April 6-9 – at home against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Thursday – 2:05 p.m., Friday – 6:05 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Thursday, April 10-13 – at home against the Rochester Red Wings (all games 1:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, April 14-16 – on the road against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Friday – 6:35 p.m., Saturday – 4:05 p.m., Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday through Thursday, April 18-20 – at home against the Norfolk Tides (Tuesday and Wednesday – 6:05 p.m., Thursday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, April 21-23 – at home against the Columbus Clippers (Friday – 6:05 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday through Thursday, April 25-27 – on the road against the Norfolk Tides (Tuesday and Wednesday – 6:35 p.m., Thursday – 12:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, April 28-30 – on the road against the Durham Bulls (Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday – 6:35 p.m., Sunday – 5:05 p.m.)

BfloGirlSports: April 2017 Buffalo Sabres schedule

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• Sunday, April 2 – v. New York Rangers – 3 p.m.
• Monday, April 3 – v. Toronto – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 5 – v. Montreal – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 8 – at Florida – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 9 – at Tampa Bay – 5 p.m.

BfloGirlSports: April 2017 Buffalo Bandits schedule

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• Saturday, April 1 – at home against Saskatchewan – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 8 – on the road against Calgary – 9 p.m. ET
• Friday, April 14 – on the road against Toronto – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 15 – on the road against Georgia – 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, April 22 – at home against Georgia – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 29 – at home against Toronto – 7:30 p.m.