If you didn't get the chance to sweep your sweetheart of her feet this Valentine's Day, there's another chance for romance today in Rochester.
Beginning with a rumba lesson at 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Moon Ballroom, 2030 U.S. 14 E., put your dancing shoes on for a night of swing, country, rock and ballroom music by the local dance band High Contrast.
Ballroom owner Fred Gommelssays rumba can be "romantic and fun, and is danced to country, rock or Latin music." As for the band, "High Contrast has a great variety and is very danceable."
The dance is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cost is $10, which includes the free dance lesson; a cash bar is available.
Gear up for Fat Tuesday
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February is Mardi Gras month. While New Orleans might be the hottest place in the country to celebrate, this time of year also means good times here at home.
In honor of Fat Tuesday on Feb. 21, both Whistle Binkies locations in Rochester — 247 Woodlake Drive S.E. and 3120 Wellner Drive N.E. — are celebrating with live music and food and drink specials.
Enjoy gumbo all day, muffaletta sandwiches for lunch and Cajun-grilled ribeye steak with roasted sweet potatoes and ratatouille for dinner. Drink specials include hurricanes for $3 and glasses of Abita Amber for $2.
The Turkey River All Stars will take the stage at Whistle Binkies on the Lake at 7 p.m.
'The colors of the South'
Another brew that's tapping into the Rochester limelight this month is Abita, the official beer of Mardi Gras.
The Abita Brewing Co., based in Abita Springs, La., boasts a large family of flagship, seasonal and harvest brews, including Abita Amber, Jockamo IPA, Purple Haze, Turbodog, Bock and Pecan Harvest.
Andy's Liquor Marketplace, 2932 41st St. N.W., is offering free Abita samples from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. Free samples will also be offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Andy's Liquor in Crossroads Plaza, 1201 S. Broadway.
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Alaskan brews, part deux
As I noted last week, the Alaskan Brewing Co. , based in Juneau, recently released four of its award-winning brews in Rochester: Alaskan Amber, Alaskan Black IPA, Alaskan IPA and Alaskan White Ale.
Since then, a handful of local watering holes have jumped on the Alaskan bandwagon, adding one or more of these potables to their beer list.
Some of the bars and restaurants that can now carry Alaskan beer include: Wicked Moose Bar and Grill, 1201 Eastgate Drive S.E.; both Whistle Binkieslocations; Glynner's Pub, 1643 N. Broadway; Carlos O' Kellys, 4825 U.S. 52 N.; Beer Bellyz, 821 Civic Center Drive; The Restaurant, 723 Second St. S.W.; and Newt's North, 5231 E. Frontage Road, U.S. 52.
