Food Events

›The Gruene Wine & Music Festival offers four days of distinctive events in the Gruene Historic District. Enjoy the best in Texas food and music, plus award-winning wines from Tex­as and the world. Ticket prices vary by event: 830/629-5077 or www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org. Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 6-9.

› The St. Elias Mediterranean Festival is Austin's oldest ethnic food event, celebrated every fall on the grounds of the historic church (408 E. 11th). The festival features delectable Lebanese, Greek, and Middle Eastern culinary delicacies and wines for sale, plus live music, ethnic folk dances, and plenty of family fun. Tickets are $5 at select Twin Liquors and at the gate. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 7-8, 6pm-12mid.

› Vegan chef and author Christy Mor­gan presents a vegan cooking class at the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts (1700 S. Lamar). $45; reserve a spot at 476-2276. Friday, Oct. 7, 7-9pm. Morgan will also sign copies of Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body & Planet at the Counter Culture vegan food trailer (120 E. North Loop), Saturday Oct. 8, 4-7pm.

› Opal Divine's Penn Field (3601 S. Congress) presents the second annual Drink Pink Ball to benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, with entertainment by the Lucky Strikes and Jiggle­watts. $20 donation at www.opaldivines.com or at the door. Saturday, Oct. 8, 9pm-12mid.

› Slow Food Austin hosts Friends, Farms, and Food Day on the grounds of Springdale Farm (755 Springdale Rd.). Bring lawn chairs and potluck food to share. RSVP to [email protected]. Monday, Oct. 10, 7-9pm.

› The Texas AgriLife Extension Service (1600-B Smith Rd.) hosts a farming fundamentals series for home and small urban plot producers on the horticultural and business aspects of growing and selling fruit and vegetable crops. $125 for the series, including lunch. Register at agriliferegister.tamu.edu. Wednesdays, Oct. 12, 19, & 26, 8am-5pm.

› Zax Restaurant & Bar (312 Barton Springs Rd.) hosts its seventh annual Oktoberfest party: Smokey Den­mark beer brats, Oktoberfest beers, giveaways, and surprises. Thursday, Oct. 13, 6pm.

› Enjoy La Dolce Vita at Laguna Gloria (3809 W. 35th). Stroll the lakeside museum grounds while sipping wine and noshing on dishes from Austin's top restaurants, all to the music of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra. Tickets ($100-150) at www.amoa.org. Thursday, Oct. 13, 6-9pm.