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Click here to learn more about: Our philosophy, How to register, What our classes are like, Our credit policy, and much more...
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Gift Certificates & Packages |
| Wine 101 One Night Anytime |
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| Wine 101 and Focus on Red for $150 |
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| Promo Package- 4 for $ 275 |
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Wine 101 One Night |
| Tuesday, July 22 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, July 26 (Wine 101) |
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| Thursday, August 7 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, August 9 (Wine 101) |
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| Tuesday, August 26 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, September 6 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, September 27 (Wine 101) |
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Special Food & Wine Seminars |
| Napa vs. Bordeaux (Aug 1) |
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| A Focus on Reds (Aug 15) |
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| A Focus on Reds (Sept 18) |
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| Pinot Noir - Why the Fuss? |
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| Napa vs. Bordeaux (Oct 4) |
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| Some Things Will Always Cost |
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Regional Wine Explorations |
| Italy - North to South (July 24) |
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| Spain & Portugal - Hidden Gems (July 31) |
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| California & Beyond |
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| Italy - North to South (Sept 5) |
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| Spain & Portugal - Hidden Gems (Sept 12) |
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| France - Making Sense of it All (Aug 21) |
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| France - Making Sense of it All (Oct 25) |
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20 Wines, 10 Cheeses, 1 Night |
| Saturday, August 2 (20.10) |
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| Saturday, September 20 (20.10) |
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Complete Introduction to Wine & Cheese |
| October Section For 2 |
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| October Section |
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| November Section For 2 |
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| November Section |
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Gift Certificates & Packages
If you don't see something here that fits what you have in mind, please call us, we are happy to work with you to create just the gift you envision. Thank you for your support and for spreading the word by purchasing our classes as a gift.
Wine 101 One Night Anytime
Price: $90
If you would like to offer "Wine 101 One Night" as a gift, yet the recipient's life is decided by strategically placed post-it notes and putting out fires, then let us propose an open-ended certificate. It can be used anytime the class is offered assuming the class has space available. Although this class tends to fill quickly, we offer Wine 101 at least 4-5 times every month on a variety of days. Please see below for class description.
These open-ended certificates can naturally be made for other categories as well. Thank you again and we hope to see you soon. See Wine 101 for a complete class description.
Wine 101 and Focus on Red for $150
Price: $150
Sign up for both classes together and save a few dollars. Both classes are offered several times each month and you may register for each class as befits your schedule by simply calling or emailing us. See class descriptions for more details.
(After taking the Wine 101 you may opt out of the Focus on Red and take one of our other regional classes if you prefer.)
Promo Package- 4 for $ 275
Price: $275
This gift package buys 4 classes of the recipient's choosing. This package is specially priced to allow the giftee to experience a variety of classes we offer, or to bring a friend(s) along as their guest. There is no need to choose the classes now, the recipient may select their preferred dates once they receive the certificate or any time during the next two years. As always, date and class choices can be changed later on with 2 days notice.
- The certificates are valid for 2 years.
- Certificates are on file. Recipients call to redeem.
- Max value $100 each class.
- Over $100 incurs small supplement.
NB: This is intended as a promotional gift offer and can not be used in conjunction with other special offers, including itself (in other words, multiples of this package can not be used to purchase blocks of seats in a single class.) Thank You.
Wine 101 One Night
The Wine 101 class promises, at a minimum, you will taste a dozen unique wines, sample artisinal cheeses from Murray's Cheese, and leave with a keen sense of what makes wines different along with a better understanding of what you like. While that may seem sufficient for two hours, we aim for more. In this, one of our most popular offerings, we hope you will develop a newfound admiration for this incredible product of nature while tasting the differences in body, tannin, and sweetness of wines.
Wine has been with us for millennia, and while it can seem a daunting subject, it should not be. We will explore numerous regions of the world as well as briefly discuss how grapes grow and how wine is made (the most exciting part of the class, honestly). We believe that wine should be enjoyed by all on a regular basis.
Tuesday, July 22 (Wine 101)
Date: Tuesday, July 22
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
*** Class Full ***
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Saturday, July 26 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, July 26
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm
Price: $90
*** Class Full ***
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Thursday, August 7 (Wine 101)
Date: Thursday, August 7
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
Saturday, August 9 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, August 9
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm
Price: $90
Tuesday, August 26 (Wine 101)
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
Saturday, September 6 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, September 6
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm
Price: $90
Saturday, September 27 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, September 27
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Price: $90
Special Food & Wine Seminars
These classes typically focus on the wines and culinary contributions of one specific country or region. We discuss the history and importance of the wines and talk about how to pair them with various types of cuisine.
Napa vs. Bordeaux (Aug 1)
Date: Friday, August 1
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $110
Both grow Cabernet Sauvignon, both are fiercely loyal to their region, and both create intense, complex, long-lived wines. Yet they are not the same. Bordeaux, with its centuries of history and ornate chateaux, claims restraint and finesse as well as power, yet by a judicious hand. The wines of Pauillac, Margaux, Graves, St Julien, Pomerol, St Emilion and St Estephe are all possible appearances.
As for Napa, they too have a rich history, yet it is one more of rags to riches than of landed gentry. Here, with their all too reliable sunshine and rainless summers, they craft wines that display purity of fruit, seamless tannins, soft mid-palates, and simply put, gobs of flavor. Both locales, however, offer up many exceptions to these stereotypes, leaving one to consider the producer and not the region alone.
We will taste a number of wines blind so you can decide without the label which you prefer. We will also sample wines of different price points to determine if the higher priced bottles are actually worth the added cost. Older vintages will also play a role with overall bottle prices for the tasting ranging from $20 up to $90. We will accompany the wines with a number of perfectly aged cheeses, some French, some American.
A Focus on Reds (Aug 15)
Date: Friday, August 15
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
I love white wines. I regret that whites are not given their due in this country. They can be complex, they can age, and they are no less "serious" than their red counterparts. That said, reds do beckon to us in ways whites often do not, and I, too, fall prey as much as anyone to this call. If you welcome the bite of winter solely to find guilt-free solace in a rich, peppery Shiraz, or if you can find succor in a glass of red at day's end, never mind the season nor the forecast, this class is a must.
During this one evning seminar we will explore the basics of red wine production as well as highlight the qualities of the major red grape varieties. By understanding how Pinot Noir differs from Cabernet Sauvignon or from Nebbiolo, one begins to understand why the wines taste as they do and why they each exhibit such telltale personalities.
Furthermore, while we can only explore a specific number of regions and grapes in one evening, you will leave this class with a key understanding of why, for example, wines from Oregon and other cooler areas often taste as they do and why they tend to grow certain grapes over others. You will also taste and become familiar with some of the distinct flavors commonly noted in certain grapes such as the green pepper of Cabernet Franc, or the strawberry of Gamay, or the violets of Dolcetto.
And not to be left out... Tannins. We will taste and discuss the role of tannins, how to detect them in wines, and how to begin the journey of knowing when to age, and when it's best to pull the cork. You can count on learning as much as we can possibly fit into one evening about red wines, their component parts, and the enormous variety they offer.
A Focus on Reds (Sept 18)
Date: Thursday, September 18
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
Please see "A Focus on Reds (Aug 15)" for the complete class description.
Pinot Noir - Why the Fuss?
Date: Friday, September 26
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:45 pm
Price: $100
Pinot Noir is undeniably 'hot' right now, and for good reason, this grape, like no other, has the ability to be powerful and delicate at once, spicy, floral, great with steak, great with pasta, dynamic, delicate, these attributes could all apply to the same bottle, it is simply a question of 1) finding the right ones and 2) knowing how to coax those flavors out of the glass. We will discuss both of these elements as we compare Pinot Noirs from around the world, with Oregon, Mendocino County, Burgundy, and New Zealand playing prominent roles.
Also tasted will be a few of the 'other' Pinots (Gris, Auxerrois, Blanc, Meunier...) as we discuss the relationships, and where they all began. Sure to be tasted is a 'Grand Cru' from Burgundy, the theoretical pinnacle of Pinot, along with surprises from places such as Austria or Tasmania. As usual, a full plate of cheese will complement the wines along with charcuterie, olives, country pate, and much more.
Napa vs. Bordeaux (Oct 4)
Date: Saturday, October 4
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm
Price: $110
Please see 'Napa vs. Bordeaux (Aug 1)' for the complete class description.
Some Things Will Always Cost
Date: Thursday, October 16
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $150
Whenever I teach, invariably somebody asks, "What is so special about certain bottles costing $100, or $150, $350, or more?"
"Often very little", I'll confess, "yet there are times..." I continue, "but the qualities one seeks in order to deem a wine worthy of its ask are often elusive, subjective, and highly personal." Translation: Attach a high price tag, land a few lucky breaks in the press, raise the price ever higher, and people will steal from their mother to get a bottle before you. Wine is not the only industry susceptible to this model. It is the modern reality of the marketplace - 2008 and beyond.
Alright, rhetoric and prognostications aside, certain bottles do warrant their price tags, and you can taste it in the wine. Is a wine worth $100 simply for being oh-so-smooth, or for offering up flavors and textures that elicit oohs & aahs from your tasting group? Maybe, probably not, however.
The factors driving price are many, and they are complex. One can get very little for their dollars yet the inverse is equally likely. So just what does $50 taste like, and can it really be delineated as separate and distinct from the $250 bottle and so on? Assuming we are operating within a common framework (judging Washington State Cabernet Sauvignons against one another from the same vintage, or Riojas of equal age and similar provenance, etc...) then yes, there are identifiable qualities that serve to distinguish these varying price points, and I will be working diligently to find examples able to clearly demonstrate just what I am talking about, without needing to "talk".
Yes, we are looking for subtleties, nuance, and fine shadings, yet you need not be an expert taster. You must enjoy wine, nothing more. Those poised to glean the most from this class are those who frequently seek something new and different to try.
As in all classes we offer, this event will be interactive and somewhat social in nature while offering individually plated selections of cheeses, cured meats, etc... It is open to everyone yet I do ask that those registering have a genuine interest in the subject as it has been presented herein. This is probably not the best choice for a blind first date.
I anticipate lively discussion, a smorgasbord of questions, and lots of slurping and swishing of wine beyond the requisite 2 seconds for the sake of it. I will offer my own opinions of the wines along with detailed discussion of why I believe what I do as I touch on issues including grape physiology, vine vigor, soil composition, oak treatment, fermentation techniques, elevation, slope, and aspect of vineyard site, and much more. If these concepts are entirely foreign to you yet at least sound intriguing, you are perfect for this class.
We will taste approximately 10 wines, or 5 pairs, each duo increasing in cost, starting around $10, then $25, $50, $100, and finally $200 +. So yes, I am proposing that what you will taste in the $200 + bottle will have a complexity, balance, and intensity of flavors that generally will not be found in wines costing much under $200 (this becomes increasingly difficult to defend at higher price levels).
We look forward to seeing many of you in this exciting new class which we hope will become a staple of the ‘NYC wine class’ rotation.
Regional Wine Explorations
Whether it is one of our always-popular-classes featuring Italy or France, or a never held before seminar on the wines grown in Hungary or South Africa, these classes focus on regions and therefore highlight wines that speak of place, and of course, the people who make them.
Italy - North to South (July 24)
Date: Thursday, July 24
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
Without question, Tuscany provides many of Italy’s greatest wines. One can find everything from the perfumed whites of the Vernaccia grape to the dark, powerful reds of Brunello di Montalcino. This famous line-up (many of which we will taste) also includes the delicious bottlings of Chianti, Montepulciano, and endless others.
The north has long dominated the wine scene in Italy, with the wines of Piedmont, Veneto, and Alto Adige joining suit with Tuscany, yet the wines of the south are making their case and doing it well with their rich, distinctive offerings that taste of flowers, spice, and pepper, and all at the same time. From the south we will sample Primitivo, Salice Salentino, Taurasi, the gorgeous mineral and apricot scented wines of Campania, and others. These will not be tasted against the northern counterparts, per se, but you will leave with a strong idea of the differences and relative value for your dollar.
Which wines are worth hunting down and getting to know?, we believe they all are, yet the wines will speak for themselves on this night dedicated, ultimately, to all things Italian (including extraordinary artisinal cheeses & cured hams).
*** Class Full ***
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Spain & Portugal - Hidden Gems (July 31)
Date: Thursday, July 31
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
You could sample a new Spanish wine every night of the year and still not experience all the variety that this country produces. Each region has their own specialty. Rioja creates smoky, earthy, subtle reds with the Tempranillo grape, while the Priorat makes rich, dense, powerful reds from the Garnacha variety. The Ribera del Duero also employs the Tempranillo grape, yielding wines bigger and more powerful than those of Rioja. And this is just a few of the reds we will try.
Spain rarely comes to mind for most people when it comes to whites, yet this class will likely change that. The crisp, aromatic Albarino grape of Galicia, the Basque country's Txacoli region, offering up spritz with creamy lemon curd flavors, Spain is home to them all and countless others, and at extremely favorable prices.
Tasting these wines alone can be a dizzying affair, yet Portugal has finally entered the international scene, and with a bevy of wines from producers both young and old that are receiving deserved attention for their rich, smoky, distinctive reds made from local varieties as well as others which, while perhaps less similar to the Shiraz and Cabs we know, offer a window into some truly old world wine styles that now sport just enough modern influence to make them both distinctive and well balanced.
We will feast upon a cornucopia of Spanish meats, Marcona Almonds, Arbequina Olives, and some of the Iberian peninsula's most distinctive cheeses. We individually plate the evening's selection of cheeses for each guest. They are designed to complement the wines and we will discuss food and wine pairing, some rules, some traditions, and how to step outside them whenever you care to.
*** Class Full ***
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California & Beyond
Date: Saturday, August 16
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm
Price: $90
When one thinks of growing grapes and making wine in the U.S., the mind automatically jumps to California. In terms of output, the Golden State eclipses Washington State, the nation’s runner-up, by more than a 10 bottles to 1 margin. Yet quantity is not California’s only forte, the producers of this bountiful state also turn out consistently high quality wines known for their rich fruit, soft textures, and full bodied mouth feel. These qualities are most often what the public at large demands and California has the climate and soils needed to create just these types of wines.
Beyond California’s borders, however, lie the vineyards of Oregon, Washington State, New York, Idaho, Texas, and more. In fact, each of the 48 continental states boasts at least one commercial winery. The cooler climates of, say, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, or New York’s Finger Lakes can yield interesting counterpoints to the often exuberantly rich wines of California’s warm & sunny climes. Our own New York State ranks fourth in quantity for wine grape production while Virginia (my home state), comes in a close fifth. Sixth position? Texas. You can be sure to sample what these up-and-coming regions are capable of and decide for yourself if these wines are worth your attention, or simply regional curiosities.
Finally, due to popular demand, we will visit the wineries of Canada and sample Ice Wine, one of their national treasures. These wines are decadent and sweet yet they avoid being heavy or cloying. I will discuss the completely unique process for making these nectars, yet the wines truly speak for themselves. In this one evening we will discuss how to find values, the wildly erratic pricing strata, and why there is so much disparity while also discussing (and tasting) the ever important wines of the small producer. It is, after all, they who do form so much of the backbone of this industry.
Italy - North to South (Sept 5)
Date: Friday, September 5
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
Please see "Italy - North to South (July 24)" for the complete class description.
Spain & Portugal - Hidden Gems (Sept 12)
Date: Friday, September 12
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
Please see "Spain & Portugal - Undiscovered Gems (July 31)" for the complete class description.
France - Making Sense of it All (Aug 21)
Date: Friday, September 19
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:30 pm
Price: $90
French wines ooze intimidation; the language, no grape listed anywhere in sight, countless vineyards and producers, and all this at often exorbitant prices. Yet even in the face of these apparent obstacles, France is worthy of our attention. Why? Simply because they still continue to create so many of the world’s most intriguing, exotic, and individualistic wines.
France is the birthplace of most noble grape varieties we know today; Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and others. We will taste many of these grapes which have all been grown in their respective regions in France such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhone Valley and others. The French classification system, based largely on the concept of regional identity, is actually a blessing once you understand the ideology behind it. If, for example, you taste Sancerre, or Hermitage, or Chambolle-Musigny, and you like the wine, then you can feel confident in buying other bottlings from that region, even if the producer or vintage is different from the one originally tasted. (maybe you will like it even better).
You are bound to fall in love with at least one of these wine-producing areas, especially after discovering the rich history and culture that are so much a part of what makes these wines unique. Of equal importance, we will address the basics of reading labels and other essentials in order to give you a deeper, more inherent understanding of these delicious products of nature. French artisinal cheeses and pate de compagne will also make a definite appearance.
France - Making Sense of it All (Oct 25)
Date: Saturday, October 25
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -7:30 pm
Price: $90
Please see "France-Making Sense of it All (Aug 21)" for the complete class description.
20 Wines, 10 Cheeses, 1 Night
We will serve ten pairs of wines, a number of which will be from up-and-coming areas around the world such as South Africa, South America, Australia, Spain, and New Zealand. Each pair will contain wines from either the same region or same grape. The two wines will be similar yet with at least one differentiating factor to distinguish them. I will briefly highlight the grapes used, the climate, and the production method for each wine served.
Through this you will learn about what makes wines different while also discovering your own preferences. And yes, maybe you will like both wines in each pair, maybe neither, that is part of the journey that is this class. Along with each wine poured we will include a list of 4-6 wines that are quite similar to the one tasted and are readily available in most stores. You will then have a list of wines that you know will either offer pleasure or should be avoided. In addition, each pair of wines will be accompanied by an artisinal cheese chosen specifically for its compatibility with the wines. Through this you can learn about new and interesting cheeses as well as how to pair them with wines that you like. We really hope you can make it to this unique and exciting tasting forum.
Saturday, August 2 (20.10)
Date: Saturday, August 2
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -8:00 pm
Price: $90
Saturday, September 20 (20.10)
Date: Saturday, September 20
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm -8:00 pm
Price: $90
Complete Introduction to Wine & Cheese
During these four evenings we explore many of the greatest wine regions, grapes, and producers of the world. We taste over 40 different wines accompanied by more than two dozen artisinal cheeses. Most importantly, we discuss what makes them unique. With so many choices upon entering a wine store or restaurant, confusion can easily set in, yet the aim of this course is to provide you with a deep understanding of wine, its origins, how it is made, and of course, how to taste and savor while figuring out what you like and why you like it.
Learning about wine is a life long endeavor and this class provides the tools to start that journey. We set up each class with numerous comparative tastings that flesh out what is meant by body, tannin, sweetness or dryness, fruity or earthy, and so much more. In addition you will learn how to find great values from the world over as well as the principles of food & wine pairing. Furthermore, people repeatedly tell us that our discussion of wine terminology and understanding restaurant wine lists has proven highly beneficial.
Please feel free to call or email with any questions or requests. Price includes all four classes. All missed classes can be made up in future sections of this course. We hope you will join us for this, the most comprehensive offering we host.
October Section For 2
Dates: Wednesdays - October 8, October 15, October 22, October 29
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:15 PM
Price: $515
This secures 2 spaces in the October section
October Section
Dates: Wednesdays - October 8, October 15, October 22, October 29
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:15 pm
Price: $305
This secures 1 space in the October section
November Section For 2
Dates: Tuesdays - November 11, November 18, November 25, December 2
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Price: $515
This secures 2 spaces in the November section
November Section
Dates: Tuesdays - November 11, November 18, November 25, December 2
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm -9:15 pm
Price: $305
This secures 1 space in the November section
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