Fri. Sept. 17 and Sat. Sept. 18

Indulgence. Moderation. We all try to balance these things, do we not? Well, the scales (literally?) will tip toward the former during the second annual New England Dessert Showcase at the Westin Copley Place Essex Ballroom Friday Sept. 17 and Saturday Sept. 18. What you get for the $25 is the chance to sample desserts from more than 100 exhibitors - meaning you will have all the chocolate, ice cream than you'd ever want. If you want to pay $35, you get in to the VIP) "after-party" at the Greatest Bar on Friday from 6-9 and receive a goodie gift bag (value over $200, we're told). Music will be provided by a band to be named later; check the website below for details. The hours for the Westin bash are Friday noon-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. As of the first of the month, the promoter, the marketer Anthem Entertainment, had already sold 4500 tickets. A lotta sugar-lovin' Bostonians out there. In photo: Last year's winner, a cannoli from Simply Delicious.

Westin: 10 Huntington Ave., 617-538-6829 www.nedessertshowcase.com
Greatest Bar: 262 Friend St. (North Station area)