Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend kickoff nears

Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend’s kickoff April 20 has added a new event: a Champagne tasting with Laurent-Perrier, beginning at 11 a.m. at Bonterra (1829 Cleveland Ave.). The tasting will include Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Vintage 2002, Cuvee Rose Brut, Grand Siecle Multi-Vintage and other rare vintages. Wine expert Camille Cox hosts, and tickets are $75 at www.charlottewineandfood.org.

That night, 6:30-11 p.m. at Founders Hall is MOTOWN@UPTOWN: wine, food by Aria, live and silent auctions and dancing to live music. Tickets are still available at $125 (party and parking) and $75 for those 21-35 (party only); the $500 and $250 categories have sold out; tickets are sold online.

The Weekend, an every-other-year event that's raised more than $4 million in its history, benefits this year the Council for Children's Rights; Pat’s Place Family Advocacy Program; and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Backpack Project for Kids.