Most places see the robin as their harbinger of spring; Cape May has robins too, but it also has its Spring Festival. This year’s April 25-May 4 celebration of all that is Spring-like or beautiful in America’s first seaside resort includes a line up of tours from the Sweet Treats House Tours to ghost tours to private home tours and so much more. In conjunction with the Spring Festival, the Cape May Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Home Décor and Garden Show (April 26-27 ) – one of my personal favorites – will be held at Convention Hall. Additionally, the Mid-Atlantic Center fort the Arts (MAC) will host a Spring Festival Crafts Show on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate that first weekend. A must see is the Wheaton Arts Glassblowers who set up their kiln on the grounds of the estate and demonstrate their craft right there on the spot. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.

If you’re tired of touring and want to kick up your heels like those crazy Victorians did, be sure to attend the MAC sponsored Vintage Dance Weekend. Instructors will teach you the traditional dances of the 19th century at a Vintage Dance Workshop, Saturday, April 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then, put your newfound expertise to good use at a costumed Vintage Ball with live music of the period at 8 p.m. Saturday night. A Tea Dance, also with live music, is Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. Victorian dress encouraged but not required. All events take place at the Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St. Full packages $75.

Another springtime harbinger is the Cape May Jazz Festival. This, the 29^th event (April 18-April 20) and the festival’s 15^th anniversary, presents many of the finest "young lions" in jazz today. As a natural successor to the fall 28th festival – "Favorites Return," the "Next Wave" features an elite up-and-coming new breed of artists: cutting edge musicians across many jazz genres, each honoring the legendary players who came before. This is a must attend weekend for any jazz lover with roots in the past, and an ear towards the future!

Who better to celebrate the past and future of contemporary jazz than the legendary Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman on Friday April 18th? You'll be dancing from Convention Hall on the way to other exciting "Next Wave" performances including Javon Jackson, Tim Price with Rachael Z, Winard Harper, Leon Jordan with El Shafer, Neal Smith, and the Chris Bergson Blues Band! For more information please call 609-884-7277 or visit www.capemayjazz.com.

Something new to look foreword to (April 4-5) is the First Annual Diversity Weekend Cabaret. This has just got to be fun. Our quaint little island wakes from its long winter's nap as GABLES of Cape May County announces an exciting first for the city! Carney’s on Beach Avenue at Jackson Street, will host the two-nights of cabaret entertainment. On Friday April 4, Michigan comic Mimi Gonzalez kicks off the weekend hosting two hours of music and laughs. Gonzalez welcomes to the stage her headlining act, Lennie McKenzie, an accomplished actor and cabaret veteran who has performed some of New York's most prestigious cabaret venues including Rose's Turn and Don't Tell Mama. Also joining Gonzalez on Friday evening from the original Broadway cast of Barnum is the effervesced Terri White. An added treat to the evening's line-up is jazz vocalist Gina Roche who is certainly no stranger to music lovers in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area.

The fun continues on Saturday when emcee Adam Sank brings his unique style of New York humor to the Jersey Shore. For more than two years, Sank has hosted the wildly successful Electro Shock Therapy Hour at Therapy bar in Manhattan. Doors open both nights at 7:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8:30. All are welcome to stay for an after-party of music and dancing until 2:00 a.m. Cash bar and menu will be available. Cabaret tickets are $30.00 for each show and $50.00 for a two-night pass. Reservations are required. Contact Gables at 609-861-1848 or at www.gablescapemay.com.

For those of you whose taste runs the gourmet, gourmand gambit, or if you fancy yourself a wine connoisseur – we have just the ticket. The fun begins April 4 with an American Microbrews Dinner at the Mad Batter Restaurant on Jackson Street. Celebrate spring with a four-course dinner of American fare featuring a different beer paired with each course. Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

The dining adventure continues at the Mad Batter April 25 when the culinary journey moves Down Under for the Down Under Wine Dinner. Celebrate Cape May’s Spring Festival with this four-course dinner featuring the flavors and wines of New Zealand.  Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Both dinners are limited to 60 people. Admission is $70 per person. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

One of THE most popular food fests is the Chocolate Fantasy Buffet (April 26) held at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street in Cape May. Pastry chef Kathy Cressman-Pastiu helps you indulge in decadence with a seemingly endless buffet of white, milk and dark chocolate desserts. Reserve early because this event sells out quickly. The fun begins at 2 p.m. and costs $35 per person. Hosted by the Washington Inn, contact MAC to make your reservations.

Have you ever been handed a wine list and sat staring at it, pretending you actually know one wine from another? Well, I have. So here’s the cure for wineaphobia – a Spirited Wine Weekend (April 18-25) or if you only have one day like say, April 20^th –Cape May Wine School. Triple your enjoyment by combining a Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting Class for a weekend of total indulgence. The weekend begins at 6 p.m. Friday, April 18 with a four-course dinner at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., with wines themed to the Sunday Wine School Class (Wines from Tuscany). Guests will be treated to individual attention from the wine steward. On Saturday, April 19 at 3 p.m., visit the award-winning Cape May Winery for a tour of the vineyard, an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and a barrel tasting with cheese and fruit. On Sunday, April 20, learn the finer points of fine wines at a 1 p.m. Wine School Class at the Washington Inn. The complete package is $125 per person. 

“It Aint Just Chianti” is the lesson to be learned at Cape May Wine School. Learn to discern and appreciate fine wines from Tuscany in this informative class, Sunday, April 20, 1-3 p.m. at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St.  Admission is $25 per person. Both wine events are MAC sponsored so check their listings for more information or to reserve a spot.

Speaking of spirits – well a different kind of spirits – MAC launches a new exhibit Friday, April 25 called The Other Side: The World of Victorian Spiritualism Exhibit. This exhibit explores the world of séances, ouija boards, fairies and ectoplasm through photographs and artifacts and shows why the Victorian world was so fascinated by mediums and psychics. The exhibit runs through Nov. 9 and is being held at the Carriage House Gallery of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Admission $2 for adults, $1 for children (ages 3-12), or free with any tour of the Physick Estate.

Well that’s all folks. See you next month and remember there’s always the beach, the sunsets and the carriage rides to keep your senses sharp and to serve as a reminder of the natural beauty that we call Cape May.