World beat

Detroit's Hart Plaza will rock with free reggae, jazz, blues, pop and gospel concerts during the African World Festival Aug. 20-22. The fest will be spiced with cuisine from more than 20 countries, as well as an artists' market and cultural activities for adults and children. (800) 338-7648.

Ice for champagne

Natural Habitat Adventures of Boulder, Colo., is going to the ends of the earth for New Year's -- approaching Antarctica from two directions. One cruise, on the M/S World Discoverer, takes in Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands Dec. 17-Jan. 6; price is $11,490 per person, double occupancy. The ''First Light Expedition (Down Under)," Dec. 12-Jan. 9, is aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov; fare is $19,980 per person, double occupancy. Much closer to home, the Costa Rica cruise, Dec. 22-Jan. 2, is $3,195 per person, double occupancy. (800) 543-8917.

African treasures

Indianapolis will be celebrating its fourth annual Africafest Aug. 21 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, with music and dance, African and Caribbean food, and tours of the museum's African Art Collection. The festival will also include craft demonstrations and sales. (800) 468-4639

Sipping German wine

The German Wine Information Bureau is the clearinghouse for the country's wine festivals, wine tours and courses at the German Wine Academy. For a copy of the festivals, an academy brochure or a ''Vintners to Visit'' guide, write: German Wine Information Bureau, 245 Fifth Ave., Suite 2204, New York, NY 10016, or visit germanwineusa.org.

An expert eye

Against the historic backdrop of Indianapolis' President Benjamin Harrison Home, professional appraisers will examine heirlooms and collectibles 2-7 p.m. Sept. 14. The first appraisal is $12.50 in advance, $15 the day of the event; additional appraisals are $10 each. While the appraisers will suggest monetary values for items, these are not legal appraisals. For more information, call (317) 631-1898 or visit the Web site www.surf-ici.com/harrison.

Duffers in Dublin

That invitation from Jack Nicklaus to play his Muirfield course in Dublin, Ohio, must have gone astray in the mail, but other courses in the area will welcome you and your wicked slice. Dublin golf packages, with greens fees, golf cart and guaranteed tee times, start at $75. (800) 245-8387.

Mailbox blitz

Pittsburgh Official Visitors Guide, (800) 366-0093 or www.visitpittsburgh.com.

The Greenbrier (Resort) Magazine, White Sulphur Springs,W.Va., (800) 852-5440.

Lake County, Fla., Vacation Guide, (800) 798-1071 or www.lakecountyfl.com.

Niagara & Mid-Western Ontario, Canada, See & Do Guide, (800) 267-3399 or www.niagara-midwest-ont.com.