DateBook

March 19-20

To make a long story short … more than 500 cattle breeders will gather March 19-20 at the DFW Marriott Hotel & Golf Club for the 2010 Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale VI, an auction of about 100 of the nation’s top Texas Longhorns. The event includes dinner each night, and the auction is open to the public. For reservations, call 1-866-348-3984 or visit www.thelonghornalliance.com for more information.

Weekends in April

April is a great time to marry your love for wine and wildflowers. Dozens of wineries along three Texas wildflower trails are holding wine and food tastings throughout April.

May 12-16

The New World Wine and Food Festival, San Antonio’s premier wine and food event, returns May 12-16 to coincide with the Valero Texas Open. The five-day occasion includes wine tasting and shopping at La Cantera, wine seminars, winemaker dinners at San Antonio’s top restaurants, and The Grand Tasting in the Grotto area of the Civic Center. Visit www.nwwff.org for tickets and more information.

March 6-31

The Instituto Cultural de México (Institute of Mexican Cultures) in San Antonio’s Hemisfair Park is hosting a free exhibit featuring the artistic, cultural and scientific accomplishments of three native Mexican women:  Verónica Prida, Rebeca Rico Hesse, and Carla Veliz. The event opens on Saturday, March 6, with a recognition ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit is free and will run through March 31, but is closed on Mondays.

March 6

Enjoy live music, a flag retirement and a tongue-in-cheek signing of a “revised” Texas Declaration of Independence, all in one of the Hill Country’s most charming, historic towns: Luckenbach. The events begin at noon on Saturday, March 6. Plenty of Lone Star longnecks will be available for the thirsty!

March 12-13

For one weekend only, the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery in downtown Austin will host three world renowned Spanish artists: Ramon Vilanova, Josep Domenech, and M. D. Rubio.

April 10-30

San Antonio’s Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art will showcase winners of Salon International 2010, the ninth annual juried exhibition sponsored by the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art.  The event kicks off with an Open House for artists, collectors and press on April 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A “Meet the Artists” event also will be on April 10, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit runs from April 10 through April 30.

April 17-18

The Texas Motor Speedway near Fort Worth will host NASCAR racing on the tail of Tax Day and just a car’s length before Earth Day. The weekend includes the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 Nationwide Series race on Saturday, April 17, and the Samsung Mobile 500 Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, April 18. For tickets call (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

April 17
You don’t need to scour the backstreets of Austin in search of the hippest, upscale artisans. You’ll find 50 of the finest – along with their best handmade apparel, accessories, stationery, pottery and art – at “Shop Austin 2010.” The event is organized by The Lone Star Ladies and runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, at Saengerrunde Hall. Attendees also can enjoy a complimentary beauty lounge, gourmet treats and other specialty items.  

February 28, March 7

Voci di Sorelle, the acclaimed San Antonio a cappella women’s group, will perform African American spirituals, Shaker spirituals and hymns at two Hill Country area concerts. The program includes a cappella renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Tis a Gift to be Simple.”