• The annual Garden Party at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum (605 Robert E. Lee Rd., 462-6050, www.umlaufsculpture.org) is one of the loveliest outdoor events every year. Stroll through the garden at twilight to the music of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra while sampling signature dishes from Austin’s finest restaurants paired with fine wines. Then bid on one-of-a-kind flower pots decorated by Austin celebrities. See a complete list of participating restaurants and celebrities on the website. Tickets are $100 in advance and $115 at the door. Thursday, April 23, 6:30-9:30pm.

• Sample both Herradura and El Jimador tequilas at a complimentary tasting guided by expert Reuben Acevas of Guadalajara at Twin Liquors Marketplace (41st & Red River, 451-7400, www.twinliquors.com). Thursday, April 23, 5-8pm.

• Learn about pairing cheese with craft-brewed beers at North by Northwest Restaurant & Brewery (10010 Capital of TX Hwy. N., 467-6969, www.nxnwbrew.com). $35 per person, reservations suggested. Saturday, April 25, 11am.

• Join the brewmaster from Independence Brewery at Segovia (7010 Hwy. 71 W., 579-0726, www.segoviaaustin.com) for a five-course Spanish dinner paired with local craft-brewed beers. $25 per person, reservations suggested. Monday, April 27, 7pm.

• Sommelier Pier Manna guides another of the monthly Italian wine-and-food pairing dinners at Andiamo Ristorante (2521 Rutland, 719-3377, www.andiamoitaliano.com). $40 per person, reservations suggested. Tuesday, April 28, 7pm.

• Meet the individuals and organizations involved in building local food systems during a panel discussion sponsored by the Sustainable Food Center at MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop, www.monkeywrenchbooks.org). Thursday, April 30, 7pm.

• Celebrate your favorite brown liquors with Michael Parker at the American Whiskey Festival at Opal Divine’s Penn Field (3601 S. Congress, 707-0237, www.opaldivines.com). These events sell out early, so buy your $30 tickets online now. Thursday, April 30, 7pm.

This article appears in April 24 • 2009.

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