The Durham Performing Arts Center, Tyler's Restaurant and Taproom and Sam's Quik Shop have teamed up to host the first Bull City Food and Beer Experience on Feb. 24.

The event will feature 20 Durham restaurants pairing food with beer from North Carolina breweries. There will also be selections from 30 craft and specialty import breweries. The owners of three of the premier craft breweries in the country, Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada), Kim Jordan (New Belgium) and Dale Ketechis (Oskar Blues), will be keynote speakers. 

Bluegrass band Mipso will provide music. 

The Bull City Food and Beer Experience is planned Feb. 24 from 4-8 p.m. at the DPAC. Tickets, which start at $75, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through the DPAC, Ticketmaster and on the event website. You can get tickets starting Wednesday if you are an official Friend of the DPAC.

General admission tickets get you unlimited food and beverage samplings, a souvenir glass and tasting notebook.  There will be a limited number of Imperial VIP Tickets available, which also get you an exclusive event poster, T-shirt, private access to a VIP tasting lounge, tastings of rare spirits and beer, reserved seating in the first four rows and admission 30 minutes early. 

You must be at least 21 years old to attend the event and must bring a valid photo ID.

The Bull City Food and Beer Experience is a fundraiser for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, which is dedicated to restoring Ellerbe Creek.