A round-up of not-to-miss, upcoming events: Get 'em while they're hot!
October 21:
NARAL Pro-Choice America The Peninsula Power of Choice Luncheon features NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan and actress Dana Delany. This fundraiser also honors the work of Dr. Susan Wicklund with the 2009 Champion of Choice Award. 11 a.m. Wed., Oct. 21. Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Tickets: $150; $75 (under-30, and students); $1,000-$10,000 (sponsors and tables of 10). (415) 890-1020, Ext. 213.
October 24:
Edgewood Center for Children and Families Sen. Dianne Feinstein is honored at the Edgewood Hope Ball. The black-tie gala features a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, seated dinner, original entertainment by Beach Blanket Babylon cast members and a dance party with Pride & Joy. Event co-chairs: Suzanne Baird and Paul Holm, Jr. Sat., 6 p.m. Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St., San Francisco. Tickets: $350; $1,200 (two benefactor tickets); $150 (dessert and dance party tickets only). $3,500-$50,000 (sponsor tables and tickets). (415) 681-3205.
October 28:
The San Francisco Garden Club Designer Ron Morgan is the keynote speaker at the club's Autumn Floral Fete Luncheon and silent auction in support of the Conservatory of Flowers as well as City College of San Francisco's Alice Eastwood Horticultural Scholarships and the Awards of Excellence in Landscape Design at UC Berkeley. Honorary chairwoman: Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Event chairwoman: Lisa Harris. 10:30 a.m. Wed., Oct. 28. Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market St., San Francisco. Tickets: $130. $300 and $500 (sponsor tickets); $1,300, $3,000 and $5,000 (sponsor tables). (415) 771-0282.
October 28:
Enterprise for High School Students The annual Preview Party of the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) raises funds for Enterprise student programs; with sneak peeks of the loan exhibition, "Egyptomania," as well as first dibs on exquisite goods from international dealers and a McCall Associates cocktail buffet. Honorary co-chairs: Egyptian Consul General Hesham Elnakib and Mrs. Hesham Elnakib. Event chairwoman: Michele Goss. 7 p.m. Wed, Oct. 28. Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. Tickets: $200. $600 (two tickets for 6 p.m. admission); $1,000 (two tickets for 5 p.m. admission); $2,750 and $5,000 (two tickets for 4 p.m. admission). (415) 989-9019.
November 3:
Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service Former Mayor Willie Brown leads The Breakfast Club which features a lively conversation with prospective 2010 California gubernatorial candidates. 8 a.m. Tues., Nov. 3. Moscone West, Fourth and Howard streets, San Francisco. Tickets: $100. $1,000 (tables of 10). (415) 773-0500.
November 3:
SFMOMA Artist Bill Fontana is honored at the annual Treasure Lunch hosted by the museum’s Modern Art Council. Event chairwoman: Candace Cavanaugh. Noon. Tues., Nov. 3. St. Regis Hotel, 125 Third St., San Francisco. Tickets: $350. $500 and $750 (Benefactor tickets). (415) 618-3263.
November 4:
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy The Cliff House Centennial Gala celebrates 100 years of history and fun at historic Lands End. The black-tie (or vintage) evening features a cocktail buffet, dancing, historic exhibits, a special show of period-style gowns crafted from recycled Cliff House menus a live auction of Cliff House memorabilia and photographs which raise funds for the Conservancy and Lands End visitor services. Honorary co-chairs: Dr. Cynthia Soyster (a descendent of Lands End pioneer Adolph Sutro) and GGNPC Executive Director Greg Moore. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Cliff House, Lands End, San Francisco. Tickets: $175. (415) 666-4005 or at the Cliff House online store.
Northern California Cancer Center Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz is the keynote speaker at the center’s 35th anniversary celebration dinner in support of cancer prevention. The evening also honors the work of Hilary and Geoff Callan (PlumpJack/Link Golf Tournament), and Dr. Alice Whittemore (Stanford University School of Medicine). Event chairwoman: Laura King Pfaff. 6 p.m. Wed., Nov. 4. Bonhams & Butterfields, 220 San Bruno Ave., San Francisco. Tickets: $200. $2,000 (tables of 10). (510) 508-5003.
November 5:
American Ireland Fund of San Francisco Ambassador Anne Anderson, representative of Ireland to the United Nations, is the speaker as the annual Women’s Luncheon. Event chairwoman: Maryon Davies Lewis. Lunch co-chairs: Eileen Murphy, Pauline Ryan, Suzi Tinsley. 11:30 a.m. Thur., Nov. 5. Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market St., San Francisco. Tickets: $125. $500 (individual donor ticket). $1,750, $2,500 and $5,000 (sponsor tables). (415) 564-3846.
Compassion and Choices of Northern California A luncheon program raises awareness about end-of-life choices. Honorary co-chairwomen: Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Protocol Chief Charlotte Mailliard Shultz. Event co-chairwomen: JaMel Perkins and Merla Zellerbach. 11:30 a.m. Thurs., Nov. 5. St. Francis Yacht Club, Marina Green, San Francisco. Tickets: $100. $250 (Patrons’ tickets). $1,000 and $2,500 (Patrons’ tables of 10). (866) 825-8967.
Museum of Performance & DesignCelebrate Rock ‘n’ Roll is the theme of this year’s annual Song & Dance Gala. The evening features a cocktail reception, seated dinner and performances by members of Quicksilver Messenger Service, Cold Blood and Narada Michael Walden. Ben Fong-Torres serves as emcee. Event chairman: Michael Barcun. Co-chairwomen: Lisa Grotts, Jan Newman. 6 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 5. Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., San Francisco. Tickets: $500. $1,500 and $2,500 (sponsor tickets); $5,000 and $10,000 (tables of 10). $125 (9 p.m. DJ dance party). (415) 255-4800.
November 7:
The Elios Society The Hellenic Charity Ball honors the work of award-winning Greek-Americans: George Chakiris, Michael Chiklis, Nicholas Gage and Marilu Henner. Singer Kalomira receives the Elios Spolight Award and actress Maria Menuounos serves as emcee. The evening features a cocktail reception, seated dinner, awards program and dancing to Dick Bright's SRO as well as music by Mediterranean Soul. 6 p.m. Sat., Nov. 7. Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St., San Francisco. Tickets: $300. $3,000 (table of 10). (415) 561-9214.
November 8:
North Beach Citizens Food writer-author Peggy Knickerbocker is honored at the North Beach Citizens’ Community Recognition Awards Dinner which benefits this resource center for homeless and at-risk citizens of the neighborhood. Author Armistead Maupin serves as emcee. 6 p.m. Sun., Nov. 8. Italian Athletic Club, 1636 Stockton St., San Francisco. Tickets: $150. $500 (individual sponsor ticket). $2,500 and $5,000 (sponsor tables of 10). (415) 772-0918.
November 12:
St. Vincent de Paul Society The Most Rev. George Niederaurer, Archbishop of San Francisco, is the recipient of the Frank Brennan Award for Service to the Poor at the society’s annual Brennan Award Dinner. Honorary chairmen: Glenn Murphy. Dinner co-chairwomen: Sharon McCarthy Allen, Joanne Murphy, Maryanne Murray. 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 12. Patrons’ Hall, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. Tickets: $150. $500 (two patrons’ tickets). $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 (sponsor tables). (415) 977-1270, ext. 3018.
Glide Memorial Church Dr. Maya Angelou and Sen. Dianne Feinstein serve as Honorary co-chairwomen for Holiday Festival 2009: From the ‘Hood to the House which celebrates The Rev. Cecil Williams’ 45th anniversary at the helm of this community treasure. The evening features a cocktail buffet and live performances by Dr. Angelou, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, SF Opera Adler Fellows, Glide Ensemble and Change Band, and other special guests. Funds raised support Mo’s Kitchen and Glide’s community outreach programs. Event chairwoman: Amy Errett. 6 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 12. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Tickets: $500. $5,000-$25,000 (10 premium seating tickets). $50,000 and $100,000 (two premium Opera House boxes of eight). (415) 674-6072. $75-$250 (individual performance only tickets). (415) 864-3330.
November 18:
California Pacific Medical Center FoundationWishes for Wellness 2009 honors the work of Dr. Nadine Burke, Dr. Charles Cobbs and Dr. Lester Jacobson at this awards program and dinner-dance in support of funding critical needs for CPMC’s special medical services, departments and resource programs. Event co-chairs: Sloan Barnett, Sharmin Bock, Carol Bonnnie, Christopher Lenzo and Laura Pfaff. 6 p.m. Wed., Nov. 18. Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., San Francisco. Tickets: $500. $1,000 (individual sponsor ticket). $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000 (sponsor tables of 10). $35,000 (two sponsor tables of 10). (415) 600-2766.