Weekend Adventures in Bradenton: Jan. 27-Jan.30

BRADENTON -- This weekend prepare for intellectual and cultural indulgence. Your taste buds will sing at the food and wine tasting events and an award winning writer will entertain you, while signing books of course. Put on a nice pair of shoes and come hungry, it’s time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!

Photo: Peter Acker courtesy of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals

The fifth annual Forks and Corks, a food and wine festival featuring over 50 dedicated foodies, takes place from Jan. 27 to Jan. 30. Each day the festival features different events at separate venues, all with exciting experiences to offer.

On Friday and Saturday, participating venues will offer winemaker’s events from demos to luncheons and tastings. On Saturday, participants have the opportunity to expand their wine knowledge at the Forks and Corks University with a full day of class or a half day.

Sunday is the Grand Tasting at the Ringling Museum of Art. Festival goers can meander in the beautiful courtyard tasting food from 50 of the area’s top restaurants, tasting wine from over 70 international wineries, and enjoying micro-brews and craft beers.

Monday is a trade tasting, which is not open to the general public and is limited to those holding liquor licenses. To request an invitation see the website.

Forks and Corks 2012

Ringling Museum, various venues

Friday Jan. 27 to Sunday Jan. 30

Various times

Sarasota    

Author Don Bruns Photo from donbrunsbooks.com

Award winning writer Don Bruns will be in Parrish this Friday participating in an event by the Friends of the Rocky Bluff Library. Bruns is the guest speaker at the sixth annual Author Luncheon at the River Wilderness Country Club.

Bruns is the author of two popular book series;  The “Mick Sever" series features an entertainment journalist who discovers the seedy side of the recording industry, and his "Stuff" series involves two 24-year-olds from Miami, who are tired of their dead end jobs and decide to make a million dollars overnight.

The event begins at noon, but the author will be available at 11:30 am to sign books. Tickets for the luncheon are $35 and should be purchased in advance. For more information regarding reservations, contact the Rocky Bluff Branch Library at (941)723-4821.

Author Luncheon

Friday Jan. 27 12 pm to 2 pm

River Wilderness Country Club

2250 Wilderness Blvd. West

Parrish