Galas, Glam, and Giving

With myriad festive events and charitable gatherings happening throughout the year, it can be a little difficult to keep track of where you're going and who you're supporting - not to mention preparing the checkbook for must-have live and silent auction goodies. So, in an effort to help you properly prepare for a busy social calendar, here are a few of the not-to-miss galas and events on the horizon.

8/5/06: Club 6 Oh! - Las Patronas Jewel Ball
It's no wonder that all 850 tickets to this magnificent gala at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club sell out far in advance every year. Literally an entire year of planning and hard work goes into each Jewel Ball, which, since 1946, has been regarded as one of San Diego's most enduring social, cultural, and philanthropic traditions. Those who support Las Patronas know that 100 percent of funds raised stay in San Diego County to assist grass-roots nonprofits as well as larger organizations. This year's event, themed Club 6 Oh! and chaired by Wendy Segall, also celebrates Las Patronas' 60th birthday, and promises to be the place for hot beats, cool drinks, tasty treats, and great people, with a slew of goodies in store for both the opportunity drawing and the silent auction. Happy 60th! (www.laspatronas.org)

9/9/06: MCASD Monte Carlo Gala
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) presents its 30th annual gala fundraiser at MCASD's La Jolla location. Themed Monte Carlo! Monte Carlo!, the event will pay homage to the beautiful city in Monaco with an enchanted black-and-white garden party. Proceeds from the festive black tie event, co-chaired by Steve Strauss and Lise Wilson, will benefit education and exhibition programs at the museum. Guests will be treated to a cocktail reception with Champagne and caviar, dinner, dancing, charity gambling, silent auction, and more. Top-level Topiary tickets for the gala event are $1,000 or $10,000 per table of 10; Trellis tickets are $500 or $5,000 per table of 10. For late starters or for those wanting to keep the party going, there is again the festive late-night party, which begins at 10pm, costs $75 per person ($15 is tax deductible), and includes dancing, gambling, desserts, silent auction, and many fun surprises. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

9/16/06: The Globe Gala 2006
The Old Globe's annual black tie event, The Globe Gala 2006, returns on September 16. Under the stars at Balboa Park, guests will enjoy an elegant dinner and dance the night away to live entertainment provided by the Innovations Dance Band. Chaired by Valerie Cooper, Robert Gleason, Norma Jean "Jake" Yonchak, and Carolyn Yorston, this year's festivities also include a reception and live and silent auctions. Proceeds from The Globe Gala 2006 support The Old Globe's education and outreach programs. (619/231-1941, ext. 2317, www.theoldglobe.org)

9/21/06: Country Friends Fashion Show
The Country Friends will this year again partner with South Coast Plaza for The Art of Fashion 2006 Runway Show, their largest fundraising event of the year, and also one of the largest outdoor fashion shows on the West Coast. All proceeds raised from this year's event, chaired by Shandra Wilson and again held at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, an organization that since 1961 has reached out to the community's youth, helping them find the support they need when they are missing a quality adult role model in their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches these children with caring adult friends who can provide the one-to-one attention they need to grow into happy and successful adult members of the community. The Country Friends was formed in 1954 by a group of Rancho Santa Fe women, and, since its inception, has donated over $12 million to human-care agencies in San Diego County. If this year's festive event is anything like last year's, guests will enjoy an extensive lunch, boutique shopping, and a cutting-edge fashion show featuring looks by top-tier designers (this year's lineup includes Celine, Christian Dior, Donna Karan, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent). (858/756-1192, ext. 4, www.countryfriends.org)

10/14/06: Opus Carnaval 2006
San Diego Symphony hosts its annual opening weekend gala of music, color, passion, and gaiety under the big top tent across the street from Copley Symphony Hall. The night kicks off with a pre-concert reception, followed by an elegant three- to four-course dinner. Guests will then enjoy a San Diego Symphony concert in Copley Symphony Hall, conducted by Jahja Ling and featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson. A post-concert party follows under the big top tent, featuring dessert, a margarita bar, casino-style gambling, music, and dancing. Individual tickets are $750, tables of ten are $7,500, corporate/sponsor tables of ten are $10,000 (corporate/sponsorship recognition included), and post-party-only tickets are $150 per person.
(619/615-3906, www.sandiegosymphony.com)

10/18/06: Beach & Country Guild's Dia Del Sol
This year's Dia del Sol, set to take place at the Rancho Santa Fe home of Charles and Tanya Brandes, will stay true to tradition, featuring a home tour, extensive silent and live auctions, gourmet luncheon, and a full runway fall fashion show produced by Nordstrom, a Dia del Sol partner since 1999, which will also create an onsite boutique at the event. The festive daytime gathering is put on each year by The Beach & Country Guild, a hard-working group comprised entirely of volunteers, thus maximizing the funds that are donated to United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). All of the money raised at Dia del Sol stays in San Diego County to support the programs and services provided by the two UCP centers in San Diego and Escondido. Tickets range from $150 to $250, and seating is limited. The event will begin at 9:30am and will end at approximately 2pm. (858/759-4045, www.beachandcountry.org)

11/4/06: Crystal Ball Gala
The eighth annual Crystal Ball Gala will take place at the Del Mar Country Club on November 4. The black tie event is set to benefit Casa de Amparo, an organization that since 1978 has provided state-of-the-art treatment, intervention, and services for abused and neglected children throughout San Diego County. Guests will enjoy a glamorous night including silent and live auctions, dinner by Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grille, and dancing. This year's honorary chairperson of the committee is Jim Simmons, who has continued to offer support as a volunteer and donor of in-kind and monetary donations. Patricia Hayward will be the chairperson of the event for the second year, live auction chairs are Jan Reital and Jeri Rovsek, and silent auction chairs are Joyce Genna and Barbara Gentzkow. Committee members are Marilyn Adler, Patty Applegate, Judy Ferrero, Katie Fish, Marilyn Goldstein, Lynn Gordon, Lola Green, Sheri Hallis, Suzanne Ingrao, Annamae Kelleher, Sharon Stein and Pam Wasserman. Tickets are $250 per person. (760/754-5500, ext. 18, www.casadeamparo.org)

12/2/06: Candlelight Ball
The 77th annual Candlelight Ball takes place on December 2 at the Del Mar Country Club. One of the oldest charity events in San Diego, the ball has raised millions of dollars for Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and is one of the premier social events. In 1930, the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla Auxiliary created the Charity Ball, now called Candlelight Ball, which continues the tradition of welcoming the holidays and supporting the hospital. Funds raised ensure that the hospital continues to provide advanced technology and extraordinary care for the San Diego community with 372 acute-care licensed beds and more than 1,700 employees. (858/678-7357, www.scrippshealth.org)

6/16/07: San Diego Zoo's RITZ Ball
Those who missed last month's sold-out RITZ Ball at the San Diego Zoo should save the date for next year's event, which will celebrate the ball's 24th anniversary. The chair and the theme have not yet been announced, but keeping true to tradition, next year's Rendezvous In The Zoo will help fund a new exhibit that is yet to be determined. (www.sandiegozoo.org)

11/17/2007: Bravo San Diego
Yes, we mean 2007. Those who love and support Bravo San Diego will have to wait until November 2007 for the next extraordinary fundraising gala at The Westgate Hotel. Original founders and supporters from Bravo's history, along with more than 1,200 arts, business, and civic leaders will be invited back for a magnificent evening celebrating the highlights from 1998-2005. The massive party will again take over the first three floors of The Westgate Hotel, as well as the hotel's rooftop, and Bravo producer Rob Appel will again guide the 2007 reunion. So mark your calendars now, as tickets will surely sell quickly for this long-awaited event.

For those who simply cannot wait, this year Bravo will recognize its long-time donors and founders at an event titled Bravissimo Dinner -A Tribute to Bravo's Founders and Donors at The Westgate Hotel on November 19, 2006. (858/759-8878, www.bravosd.org) - Mia Stefanko