Coming up

• The 13th annual Ciao, Italia! Festival will be Oct. 10 at the Wachovia/Wells Fargo Plaza atrium (301 S. Tryon St.), rain or shine, organized by the Christopher Columbus Italian Club of Charlotte. Chefs Luca Annunziata from Passion8 Bistro and Gabriel Grigolon from Firenze will do demos, and sausage and peppers, eggplant parmigiana sandwiches, pasta, pizza, Italian ices and pastries and cookies will be on hand, along with wine, beer and espresso drinks. Opera Carolina Chorus, Northwest School of the Arts and Italian singer Franco Corso are among the entertainers, and there will be cultural displays and kids' activities, as well. Admission is $3 with children 12 and younger free.

• The Beer Dinner Extravaganza at Passion8 will offer four courses, paired with beers from FootHills Brewing Company of Winston Salem, for $38 on Oct. 13. 3415 Highway 51, Fort Mill; 803-802-7455.
  

• Gallery hosts a Chehalem Vineyards wine dinner Nov. 2. Five courses, with Pinot Noirs from each of Chehalem's estate vineyards, and winemaker Harry Peterson-Nedry. $85; 1000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway; 704-248-4100.