The ARTisan Gourmet is a series of fun, handcrafted food events sponsored by the Kirkland Cultural Council. Tickets are $25 per person for each event and proceeds go to supporting the arts, culture and heritage in Kirkland. For reservations, visit kccartisangourmetbrunch.eventbrite.com/:

ARTisan High Tea: Think about tea parties and you will likely be overwhelmed with thoughts of the British gentry, scenes from Alice and Wonderland, Victorian décor, blue haired ladies, and pinky fingers stuck up in the air. Change your impression! Both men and women will enjoy this elegant afternoon tea that includes savory bite-sized sandwiches, scones, sweets, clotted cream and several kinds of tea. Hosted by Kirkland Cultural Council chair, Leah Kliger. The event runs from 4-6 p.m. May 1 in the Norkirk neighborhood.

Wine, Cheese and Antipasto ARTisan Gourmet: Wine and cheese go hand-in-hand – and for good reason! When experimenting with various wine and cheese combinations through a planned tasting, one can detect the palate influence of a precise cheese on a particular wine. Adding an antipasto plate increases the nuances and complexity of the repast. Pat Heffron, with the assistance of Kirkland Deputy Mayor and owner of The Grape Choice, Penny Sweet, guides us through the subtleties and co-host with Heffron’s wife, KCC member Cathy Heffron. Happens from 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 15.

The following classes are offered at the Kirkland Arts Center. To register, call 425-822-7161:

Printmaking 101: Explore the process of producing monotypes using a variety of techniques and methods, all from simple principle of transferring ink from a piece of Plexiglas to paper. The class runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, May 10 through June 14. Cost is $165 members; $190 non-members.

Introduction to Oil Painting Workshop: Create a still life in oil in this workshop designed for beginners from 12-5 p.m. April 23-24 at the KAC. Cost is $115 members; $135 non-members.

Block Printing: This workshop offers an overview of relief block printing that will touch on composition, technique and individual design. Runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, May 4-18. Cost is $165 members; $190 non-members.

Painting the Figure: This class teaches us to paint what we see, rather than what we think we see. Painting live models is a time-tested, classic academic method for teaching students the skill of representational rendering via drawing, painting, sculpting and photography. The class runs from 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays, May 11 through June 15. Cost is $230 members; $255 non-members.

Fashion Illustration (ages 12-14): Discover the world of fashion illustration and study the garments of many current runway designers. This class examines design elements such as line, form, shape, color and texture. Class runs from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays, April 26 through May 31. Cost is $100 members; $120 non-members.

Second Friday ArtWalk: Change is in the air for Artwalk in downtown Kirkland. Artwalk is now from 6-9 p.m. the second Friday of the month. Along with the participating galleries of downtown Kirkland, the City of Kirkland Cultural Council “Artilization” Team has plans to invigorate the new artwalk experience with the inclusion of sidewalk activities, temporary artist placement in participating businesses and live performances. Participants include Blaubak Gallery, Gallery Wine, Howard/Mandville Gallery, George’s Place, Jennifer Winter Photo Studio, Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland Painting Company, Kirkland Performing Arts Center, Lakeshore Gallery, Merrill Gardens, Parklane Gallery, Unique Plus +, Soul Ease and Zoka Coffee. For a free, self-guided Artwalk Map go to www.kirklandartwalk.org.

Leon Redbone: His solo performance will feature blues, jazz and the classic tunes of Tin Pan Alley. This eccentric and mysterious blues legend is never without his trademark Panama hat and sunglasses. Show contains adult content. The performance begins at 8 p.m. April 23 at the Kirkland Performance Center. Tickets are $32-35. For information, visit www.kpcenter.org.

Flamenco de Raíz: Direct from Spain and returning to KPC after two sold out performances in 2010, Flamenco de Raíz promises an unforgettable evening of passionate flamenco dance, song and music at 8 p.m. April 29-30 at the Kirkland Performance Center. Tickets are $32-35. Visit www.kpcenter.org.

Fauré’s Requiem: Kirkland Choral Society’s 23rd season concludes with a perennial favorite: Fauré’s hauntingly beautiful Requiem, sung in the splendor of two of our area’s finest venues, Bastyr University Chapel and First Church of Seattle. In addition, KCS celebrates the 200th birthday of Franz Liszt, with his seldom heard masterpiece, the powerful Missa Choralis. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. May 7 at Bastyr University Chapel, 14500 Juanita Drive, Kenmore; and 7:30 p.m. May 14 at the First Church of Seattle, 180 Denny Way, Seattle. Tickets are $12 student/senior; $18 adult. For information, visit www.kirklandchoralsociety.org.

Locavore: Join the Kirkland Arts Center in celebration of locally made food, art and wine from 4-7 p.m. April 30 at the KAC, 620 Market St. More than 50 artists participating in the Kirkland Artists Studio Tour will auction their artwork during the event. In addition to the auction, guests will enjoy food by Kirkland-based Hector’s and Lynn’s Bistro; deserts by The Crab Cracker, Hoffman’s Fine Cakes and Pastries and Sweetcakes; and wine by Northwest Cellars, Airfield Estates and Gallery Wine & Art. For information, call 425-822-7161, ext. 103. Cost is $40.

Kirkland Artists Studio Tour: KAST is a free, self-guided tour of artists’ studios in Kirkland that happens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Mother’s Day weekend, May 7-8. More than 50 artists will open up their studios for the public. View their new artwork, watch artist demonstrations and make purchases directly from the artists.

KAC Open House: Curious about the Kirkland Arts Center? Take the opportunity to learn about KAC and its programs during a free open house from 2-6 p.m. May 21 at KAC, 620 Market St. Enjoy print demonstrations, a Raku firing, hands on activities for kids and a ceramics sale.

The Three-Dimensional Line: The Three-Dimensional Line presents 11 artists who amalgamate volume, dimension, scale, emotion, and illusion with line in a myriad of ways. This exhibition explores the creation of three-dimensional form in the space of a room or in the mind of a viewer. The exhibit is curated by Ellen Ziegler for In Lieu Exhibit Space. The exhibit runs through May 26. For information, call 425-822-7161.

Students Ceramics Sale: Join the Kirkland Arts Center in celebrating Spring with the sale of student ceramic work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 20-22 at KAC, 620 Market St. The sale features a variety of pieces, from functional pottery to sculpture, at a wide range of prices.

Sunday Life: Work from a live or costumed model during this drop-in drawing, painting or sculpting session from 1-4 p.m. April 24, May 8 and June 5 at the Kirkland Arts Center, 620 Market St. There is an $8 model fee per session.

Jane Monheit comes to KPC: One of the world’s leading jazz vocalists comes to the Kirkland Performance Center at 7:30 p.m. April 22. Tickets are $32-$35. For information, call 425-893-9900 or visit www.kpcenter.org.

Park Lane Gallery: Jason Gamrath’s artwork runs the gamut from beautiful to sublime to surreal. His masterworks will be exhibited through May 1 at Parklane Gallery, 130 Park Lane. Also, fine art photographer Duane Hansen presents “Silence, Time and Light” and Katherine Todd presents “Light & Tranquility – Sunshine & Water” through May 1. For information, visit www.parklanegallery.com.

Howard/Mandville Gallery: Featured artwork by artists Renato Muccillo and Kim Matthews Wheaton. Oil/panel artist Renato is from British Columbia and is firmly established with collectors in Canada, but relatively undiscovered in the U.S. Oil/linen artist Wheaton lives and works in the Columbia Basin region of Washington. View the artwork at the Howard/Mandville Gallery, located at 120 Park Lane, Suite D. For information, call 425-889-8212.

Second Saturday Contradance: A new community dance series will be held every second Saturday at the Juanita Community Club, 13027 100th Ave. The evening will be primarily contradances – a social dance form originally from New England. Dances are presented by a caller with a live band of traditional folk musicians. A walk-through is provided for each dance. Attending with a partner is not necessary. Beginner contradance instruction starts at 7:30 p.m. and the dance gets into full swing by 8 p.m. Free ice cream is provided during the break. Admission is $8 at the door; $4 for student with an ID. Info www.folkhorizons.org or 425-605-0804. Folk Horizons is a non-profit organization.

Early Music Fridays: A series of concerts covering more than 700 years and representing the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, will be performed on Fridays in Kirkland. Early Music Fridays, presented by Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church and the Early Music Guild location, will be held at 8 p.m. at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Ave S, Kirkland. Tickets are $20 general, $15 seniors, $10 Students and NUUC members. They are available online, by phone, or at the door on the evening of the performances. Free parking is available in the church parking lot. More information is available at 206-325-7066 or www.earlymusicguild.org. The next concert is April 29 and features Cinnamon Bird with special guest Kane Mathis.

Skylight Open Studio: Kirkland Arts Center students and members are invited to enjoy free weekly drawing and painting sessions from 1-5 p.m. Fridays in the Skylight Room at the Kirkland Arts Center. For information, visit www.kirklandartscenter.org.

Artluck!: On the last Friday of each month, artists come to Kirkland Arts Center to share a meal, view new work, and discuss current art issues. Each month features a short presentation or exercises to boost creativity. Potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. at KAC, 620 Market St.

Kirkland Arts Center Store: This is the place for unique, affordable, quality work in 2-D, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, glass, and more. Wonderful new work is arriving weekly in all mediums, so make this a regular stop for gifts, self-indulgence, and retail therapy. Conveniently located at the core of downtown Kirkland at 336 Parkplace, Kirkland Arts Center’s has store is open seven days a week, and offers art-making activities for kids and special in-store events. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 425-827-8219.

Live Guitarist: Guitarist Jake Olason takes requests from 7-10 p.m. every Wednesday at St. James Espresso, 355 Kirkland Ave. For information, visit www.kirklandsbestcoffee.com.