Valley Cultural Center and 9th Annual Summer Food, Wine, and Microbrew Fest
By Bruce Wildstein

Are you aware that an excellent cultural resource exists to provide San Fernando Valley residents with programs and events concerning the arts? It's the Valley Cultural Center, and it's been around for some 33 years. Promoting visual and performing arts events is their mission, and the range of programs includes many free activities as well as major fundraisers. Recently the organization held their 9th Annual Food, Wine, and Micro-Brew Fest at the Westfield Topanga Mall & Promenade. This event draws about 1,000 people and now features over 25 restaurants and food service providers plus 21 wineries and microbrewers. Its probably the biggest walk around food festival in the Valley and is a great way to tryout foods from various eateries you may not be familiar with. It is also a fundraiser with a silent auction. We entered the big tent, which fortunately was air cooled, and picked up a tray and wine glass. There were a nice variety of foods being offered. Italian food(mostly pasta) was being served by Maggiano's, Calitalia, Pomodoro Cucina, La Finestra, and Nicola's Kitchen. For beef, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse were serving steak sandwiches and cuts. Mexican food could be found at Poquito Mas and the Valley institution Sierra's Restaurant. Other notables included the Follow Your Heart Café with their natural foods, and The El Paso Bar-B-Q Company. Wines being poured included an excellent Kali Hart Chardonnay from Robert Talbott Vineyards, and a superb 2005 Napa Valley Merlot from Duckhorn Vineyards. For the $50 entrance fee, it was 3-1/2 hours of all you could eat and drink pleasure.

So what else does the Valley Cultural Center do throughout the year? For one thing, they have a program of free events for the public. The Movies and Concerts in the Park series held at Warner Park in the Lou Bredlow Pavilion is a major attraction. Running from June 29 through September 13, there is a newly upgraded food court and plenty of parking($8 donation requested). You can bring blankets and have a picnic while enjoying the shows. Upcoming acts include the Playboy Jazz Festival Community Concert and the famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Most concerts are on Sundays but check their website for complete information. On Saturdays they have free movies with Willa Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Hairspary, and Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid on the schedule. Again, check their schedule for times.

Corporate sponsors and grants support the Valley Cultural Center, so you may want to consider joining. There are a number of participation levels, and each includes dining certificates and parking passes. Higher donation levels also include tickets to the Food, Wine, and Micro-Brew Fest and other major events like the 4th of July Spectacular. Find more information on movies, concerts, and more by checking the website: http://valleycultural.org/.