AWESOME DEAL: Wine and Mixology Classes at Back Label Wine Merchants

Summer is just about here and that means it's time to stop drinking alone in the doldrums of your apartment. Back Label Wine Merchants recently posted part 1 of their summer wine and mixology class schedule and at $40 a pop (you get a $20 voucher to buy anything in the store after), each one is a steal!

Here are the deets:

• Wine 101- Nature vs. Nurture - Thursday 6/5, 7pm - 8pm

Join us for an introduction to how wine is made and why it’s so darned enjoyable. This class will cover the basics of viticulture and show how farming plays a huge role in shaping what you experience in the glass.

• Austria 101! - Saturday 6/7, 4pm - 5pm

In a world where minerality is provocative and Rieslings are as dry as they get, join us for a tour through the great Austrian countryside and their commitment to exceptional farming and viticulture. Austrian wine specialist, Jodi Stern, will lead us on our journey and some of the greats Austria has to offer!

• Champagne 101 in 3 Parts – Part 2 “Champagne & Cheese″ - Thursday 6/12, 7pm - 8pm

There’s nothing like bubbles and cheese especially those from Champagne and our friends at Spoonwood Cabin Farm (Jacksonville, Vermont). The great cheeses of Spoonwood Cabin Farm are tiny-production, artisanal French-style, semi-soft cheeses that aren’t readily available in this country. This class is not to be missed! Call today to sign up and reserve your seat!

• 8 Kickass Grapes you’ve Never Heard of and Why They Matter - Saturday 6/14, 4pm - 5pm

There are so many grapes out there and so little time it feels like, at least to us.  The odds are you have actually tried some of these and wines and don’t even know it! If in fact that is not true, this is the perfect moment to come on in and start a new wine adventure. Guest Speaker – Evan Spingarn

• True Wine Connoisseurs: Where Wine and Music Meet - Thursday 6/19, 5pm - 8pm

5 years ago Will Tell played a joke on his friend Sadat X by placing in his hands a bottle of wine instead of cognac while in the studio.  From that moment there was no turning back, the result was nearly 70 videos, a great love of wine and a lot of laughs.  Together they’ll put on a class that will not quickly be forgotten.

• Mixology 101 - Saturday 6/21, 4pm - 5pm

Rock star bartender Robby Haynes, owner of the new and popular Chicago bar Analogue, will be here while in NYC to lead this badass class involving the dos and don’ts of mixology and what inspirations lead to world class cocktails! Robby is best known by Chicagoans as the star bartender of Wicker Park’s Violet Hour.

• Champagne 101 in 3 Parts- Part 3 “Cote des Blancs″ - Thursday 6/26, 7pm - 8pm

The Cote des Blancs is a unique and very special place within the renowned region of Champagne. This class will cover just how special it is showcasing its soil types, climate and decadent expressions. Want to really learn about Champagne? We triple dog dare ya! Ouch.

• Summer Single Malts - Saturday 6/28, 4pm - 5pm

Single Malt Scotch is not just for the colder months. Join us as we explore the finer and lighter side of this classic Scotch whisky!

To book a class, call (212) 229-WINE or order online at backlabelwine.com.

AWESOME DEAL: 20% Off Sparkly Soul Headbands

One of my favorite things to do is work out, but one of my least favorite things to do is wipe stray hairs out of my sweaty face in downward dog or in 3rd position over the flywheel. To solve this problem, NYC-based Sparkly Soul created the one and only no-slip hairband that has ever stayed in place for me throughout an entire exhale Core Fusion class.

I bought my first several years ago at Pure Barre and have collected several of their fun and sparkly colors ever since. The hairbands come in thin ($15) or thick ($17) varieties and can be found slicking back coifs of fashion-conscious fitness fiends around the city. I can't even tell you how many compliments I get and recommendations I give every time I work out in one.

Good news! Sparkly Soul is offering 20% off all their products through Memorial Day (May 26 at 11:59 pm PST) with code MEMORIALDAY. Also, if you share this sale on social media using the hashtag #sparklysoulheadbands through 11:59 pm PST you will be entered to win 12 headbands of your choice. That's an amazing prize!! Good luck and happy sweating.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 3 Pairs of Tickets to The Anthem

What do you get when you combine the teachings of Ayn Rand and a synthesizer? Well, a sci-fi musical of course! The new musical The Anthem is based off the capitalist author's novella "Anthem," and tells the story of a revolt of the young against an evil state.

In a world where individuality is illegal, Prometheus abandons everything to confront the State -- controlled by the overlord of evil efficiency, Tiberius. With a forbidden copy of Ayn Rand's ancient tome in hand, 

can Prometheus overthrow the system?

The show opens next week at the Lynn Redgrave Theater at 45 Bleecker. To receive a discount on tickets--$39 from May 20 to May 28 (regularly $60) and $45 from May 30 to July 6 (regularly $64)--click here and use code ANTRRM, call 866.811.4111 and mention code ANTRRM, or show up at the box office at the Lynn Redgrave Theater at 45 Bleecker (box office opens daily 2 hours before performances).

Good news! I'm giving away 3 pairs of tickets to the show! Please use the form below (follow all instructions!) to enter to win by 5/21/14. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sip Sake and Browse Japanese Art at Onishi Gallery Tomorrow

Looking for something unique to do tomorrow night? Check out Chelsea's Onishi Gallery (521 West 26th Street) for a one-of-a-kind exhibition on contemporary Japanese arts and crafts.

Onishi Gallery founder, Nana Onishi, will launch the exhibition My Japanese Discoveries: Toyama Prefecture Japan – The Extraordinary Koei Art and Contemporary Design. Artists featured will include:

• Ozawa Komin, a metal artist who is Toyama Prefecture’s sole “Living National Treasure of Japan.” Ozawa is a master of the yakigata casting technique, while blending innovative technology with creative design to push the boundaries of traditional metal casting.
• Hannya Tamotsu, another celebrated metal master, who is the only known artist to have ever made a three-metal cast piece.
• Shakunaga Yukio, a widely-admired ceramic artist, who creates simple forms and exquisitely colored ceramic pieces that have attracted devoted collectors all over the world, including Apple Company’s Steve Jobs.

Food and sake tastings will be served in traditional lacquerware and metalware, courtesy of Union Square Events. The opening reception takes place Friday 5/16 from 6-8 pm, while the gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am - 6 pm.

Free Fitness and Health Fun This Week at the West Side Y

The 15th annual National Women’s Health Week kicked off on Mother's Day, and the West Side Y (5 West 63rd Street) is celebrating with a week of fun health and fitness related activities that are free and open to the public!

Check out their offerings here for fitness classes such as yoga, pilates, Zumba, boot camp, total body conditioning and more through May 17. They are also hosting multiple workshops for women, including Telling Women’s Stories – a writing workshop for women; a culinary wellness workshop with opportunities to get hands-on in creating healthy and nutrient dense meals; and stress relief workshops. Visitors and members will also enjoy giveaways and free chair massages throughout the week.

Additionally, Komen NYC will be sending the Scan Van to the Y to give free mammograms. Duane Reade and Walgreens will be providing blood pressure screenings throughout the week.

There's A New Donut Shop In Town

You may recall a few weeks ago when we posted about the upcoming opening of a new donut store in town...well, Holey Donuts is officially open an Awesome-approved!

We got a sneak peek of the new West Village location (101 Seventh Avenue South) and met with owner Frank Dilullo to get the inside scoop a few days before the grand opening. Holey Donuts serves a broad selection of fresh made, filled, and decorated donuts that are, get this, low-fat! We learned that while regular donuts can range from 30-50g of fat, the donuts made here have only 2-5g. They also range from between 150-300 calories each. That's a huge difference! Frank told us the method to the madness is top secret, although he did say it was a 22-step process that isn't simply "baking" the donuts because then you "just get bagels." 

Holey Donuts is also different because they have nothing on display (meaning, no waste) and your donuts are made right in front of you (Chipotle style!). You can choose between a traditional frosted donut ($3.85) or filled ($3.95), and a myriad of different toppings. I tried the coconut cream filled (definitely one of my favorites!) and chocolate glazed. They also gave me a half dozen to take back to my office, which everyone seemed to appreciate.

While the texture is not going to be exactly like the donuts you are used to, they are still mighty tasty and the fillings make all the difference. Frank was insistent I take a bite of my donut right away since they are so much better warm. These aren't meant for sitting around the office kitchen all day people! Get 'em while they're hot!

Holey Donuts also serves cinnamon buns and mini cinnamon buns made out of the same dough, so you get the same low-fat, low-cal benefits if you're craving a morning bun over a donut!

Lastly, Holey Donuts carries a line of non-GMO, kosher, vegan, and gluten-free juices from the Miami-based RAAW juice company and Novus teas (I highly recommend the Wild Encounter flavor!).

Be sure to bring your credit/debit cards with you to Holey Donuts, because they are a cashless establishment. I've started to see this more and more, and I think it's a great idea, lowering risk and increasing hygiene (do you have any idea how many strains of bacteria live on a dollar bill?). Better not to think about it and just munch on a coconut cream.

Who Says Meatpacking is Just for Clubbing? Free Fitness Classes All Summer!

Anyone up for some free exercise classes? Join the Meatpacking District Improvement Association, Exhale, Chelsea Piers, Asics, and Lululemon for Classes on the Cobbles starting Thursday May 22.  

Classes range from yoga to Krav Maga and stretching to Zumba, and all take place "on the cobbles" of Gansevoort Plaza. Mats will be provided and classes are all 40 minutes long. To reserve your spot, click here. Happy sweating!