Another year of Italian Fun! The Third Annual Italian Family Festa takes place April 13th and 14th (Saturday & Sunday) from 10 am until 9 pm at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum on Highway 90 East.

Bring your kids out for a FREE, fun-filled morning of science! This event sponsored by WFSU at the Challenger Learning Center on South Duval Street is designed for the younger set, ages 6-10, but it offers something for the entire family to enjoy. Bring your crew out for a breakfast buffet, science demonstrations, a cool robot building craft, raffles and a screening of Sid the Science Kid: The Movie. Come bright and early for the breakfast, which will be served from 9 AM until 10:30 AM, and then the movie will play from 10:30 until noon, with festivities going on all throughout the morning. If you would like more information, please visit their website http://wfsu.org/sidmovie or call Sarah Mesterton-Gibbons at 850.487.3170 ext. 325.

Ok, I was almost giddy when I heard about this event. I know it sounds crazy, but I have always wanted to know how to make kimchee. I'd never, ever attempt to make it without an expert advising me...and Whole Foods Educator Jill Welch is just that. Kimchee is a pro-biotic pickled vegetable condiment from Korea, and apparently, not so hard to make, (when you know what you're doing). It also is said to promote healthy digestion and is a delicious condiment with rice, as well as lots of other foods. New Leaf Market is located at 1235 Apalachee Parkway. If you'd like more information about this workshop (which is completely free, by the way) call Jean Crozier at 850.942.2557 ext. 229.

There aren't a lot of things you can do in this world for free, but here is one you don't want to miss, plus, you'll even learn something...and all, on your lunch hour! In honor of Women's History Month in March, Florida State Archives Historian Jon Grandage presents an overview of women's history from the Florida State Archives. His presentation features examples of remarkable women in Florida history and he will explain how the study of women has broadened our understanding of history. This lecture series takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month and local experts discuss topics related to Florida history, culture and arts. They all take place at the Museum of Florida History on Bronough Street. Visit www.museumoffloridahistory.com or call 850.245.6400 for more information.

Irish singer Naomi O'Connell was hailed by the New York Times as "a radiant mezzo-soprano" after her West End debut as a young, aspiring opera singer in 2012. An international prizewinner, Ms. O'Connell was recently awarded first prize in the 2011 Concert Artists Guild competition and the Altamura/Caruso International Singing Competition in New York. A gifted musician, and natural performer, Ms. O'Connell deftly balances her love of opera with that of art song, musical theatre and popular song with her wide ranging repertoire. Brought up in County Clare, Ireland, she began her vocal training at thirteen, and recently graduated from the Julliard School in New York, where she completed an Artist Diploma in Opera Studies. General admission is $30 ($5 for students). To purchase tickets and more information, please visit www.theartistseries.org

See the work of one of the most influential artists of all time - Flemish Baroque Master Peter Paul Rubens at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts until March 31, 2013. On loan from the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the exhibition showcases the beautiful engravings made from his artwork by talented engravers in Spain, England and France, thus making Ruben's compositions available for the enjoyment of an international audience. The FSU Museum is open from 9 AM until 4 PM on Monday through Friday, and 1 AM until 4 PM on Saturday and Sunday. It will be closed Spring Break (March 9-17) with the exception of arranged tours. All museum exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. Call 850.644.6836 for more information.

You have less than a month to see this magnificent and endangered creature in Tallahassee, because on March 1st, the Tallahassee Museum's winter guest animal, will no longer be in residence. This 300 pound, 20 year old male tiger comes to the Tallahassee Museum from the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation in Gainesville, Florida. The Bengal tiger exhibit is included in general admission, and is completely free for Museum members. Tallahassee Museum is located at 3945 Museum Drive, and is open from 9 am until 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission prices vary and range from 9 to 6 dollars (free for children 3 and under). Visit their website or call 850.575.8684 for even more information.

A really great collection of art by a group of 40 Southern artists and craftspeople will be on display at the Thomasville Center for the Arts (600 East Washington Street) until February 14th, 2013 and also on their website. All pieces are by local artists and are available for purchase, as well. This work from the Thomasville Artist Collective, who calls Studio 209 in Thomasville, Georgia home, pushes the limits of creativity and is not to be missed by any art lover. Featured here is a beautiful painting by Hahira artist Jill Bright. Jill, an animal lover, lives on a farm and many of her works feature pets, livestock and wildlife. These art exhibitions are offered quarterly, so call 229.226.0588 for more information, or to find out when the next show is scheduled!

The Cheiftains, led by founder Paddy Moloney, have won six Grammys, and an Oscar, too!  You will not want to miss these musical ambassadors who celebrated their 50^th anniversary in 2012 with performances around the world.  Producer T-Bone Burnett has said of the group: “Throughout all these decades, Paddy and the Cheiftains have maintained their artistic integrity and the joy of making those ancient sounds and calling up those ancient spirits.”  And the New York Times says when describing their performances: “Joy…utterly Irish, carried aloft by tin whistles, skin drums, pipes, guitars and stomping feet.”  This is a concert you’ll never forget.  February 11, 2013 at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall in the Wescott Building on FSU’s campus.  Ticket prices range from $75-$35 (only $10 for students) and you can visit their website for more information, and to purchase them.

The American tenor James Valenti, is coming to Thomasville to perform his beautiful love songs and serenades, thanks to the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation (TEF). On Tuesday, January 29th, at 8 pm, he'll be on stage at the Thomasville Center for the Arts at 600 East Washington Street. In 2010 this highly acclaimed singer was praised by the prestigious Richard Tucker Awards, who recognized him as an American singer poised on the edge of international stardom. This dashing young tenor continues to win accolades for his elegant singing and handsome stage presence in performances at major opera houses all around the world. His TEF program will include beautiful songs performed in Italian, French and English. Visit their website or call 229.226.7404 for tickets and more information - you won't want to miss this fantastic event.