DECEMBER
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS RECEPTION
Dec. 1 6-9 PM. Kim Chesney and Debi Lamb host the kick-off reception for the Hope for the Holidays festival event at The Art House. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and unique holiday shopping at The Art House Gallery, a new Buckhead art boutique featuring work in all styles and mediums from more than 100 Georgia artists. Tickets $50. 100% of tickets sales and 20% of gallery sales go directly to five local charities. 404/564-3458.
NAUGHTY & NICE: A HOLIDAY CABARET BENEFIT
Dec. 2 7 PM. Synchronicity Theatre’s 6th annual Cajun holiday-themed evening will feature popular metro artists, cocktails and a silent auction at Le Fais do-do,1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. Tickets are $70 and include admission to the show; an open beer, wine and soft drink bar; hors d’oeuvres; and dessert. Special rates are available for couples, VIP packages, and groups of 10 or more. synchrotheatre.com. 404/484-8636.
RINGING IN OUR SILVER ANNIVERSARY GALA
Dec. 2 The Marietta Pilgrimage will present a glamorous black-tie party and preview of the award-winning tour of homes at the beautiful home of former Governor & Mrs. Roy Barnes. The evening includes dining, music and dancing. Tickets $225. mariettapilgrimage.com/preview-party.html.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS CHRISTMAS GALA
Dec. 3 7 PM-12 AM. Annual black-tie affair presented by the NWGA Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women includes cocktails, fabulous food, lavish products for purchase, book signing with featured authors, music and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit scholarships for the High School to High Heels mentoring program and economic incentives for the Northwest Georgia Chapter. thechristmasgala.org.
FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION-SAKS FIFTH AVENUE FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON
Dec. 5 Highly anticipated luncheon at The St. Regis Atlanta showcasing the collection of Giambattista Valli benefiting the Forward Arts Foundation’s support of the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta History Center and other visual arts institutions. Betsy Glen and Bet Pope, co-chairs. Tickets are $120 per person. For more information, call 404/361-9855.
CAPTAIN PLANET FOUNDATION BENEFIT GALA
Dec. 9 6-11 PM. Join Ted Turner and special musical guest Alison Krauss at one of Atlanta’s most spectacular eco benefits. Experience world-class entertainment, live and silent auctions, while enjoying premium new age cocktails and a reception and dinner by the renowned Wolfgang Puck. Laura Turner Seydel and Elizabeth Dupree Lynch are gala co-chairs. For more information, visit thepowerisyours.org.
SANTA FOR SENIORS HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Dec. 13 Annual luncheon at 103 West to benefit Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta. Gifts will be collected for clients of Senior Citizens Services which will be delivered during the holidays. Tickets $50. For tickets, call 404/605-8450.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY VICTORY GALA, Sea Island, Ga.
Dec. 17 This annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, themed “Merry Mistletoe,” will be held at The Cloister on Sea Island. Patrons can enjoy dinner, silent and live auctions and entertainment. Tickets $175. Call Jenni Morris at 912/265-7117.
MAYOR’S MASKED BALL
Dec. 17 7 PM. The United Negro College Fund’s signature gala and one of the City of Atlanta’s premiere events of the holiday season at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The party begins with the Mayor’s VIP reception and silent auction followed by an elegant dinner, Parade of Stars and Dignitaries, dancing and live entertainment. $500 per person. For more information, visit uncf.org or call 404/302-8623.
A SPECIAL NIGHT AT HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Dec. 20 6:30-9:30 PM. Celebrate the season with the Members Guild of the Atlanta History Center at a holiday party in the Members Room at the History Center. Special new holiday tours of the Swan House will be offered, and guests can enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a small silent auction. Mary Britt Burke, chair. Proceeds benefit the educational programs of the Atlanta History Center. For ticket prices and to RSVP, call Katherine Hoogerwerf at 404/814-4102 or khoogerwerf@atlantahistorycenter.com.
CHRIS KIDS HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Dec. 20 11 AM. Celebrate the Holiday Season at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, with music and lunch and meet the residents in Chris Kids' JourneyZ & TransitionZ programs. There will be a special guest appearance from Atlanta's own Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford, also known as "Santa." R.S.V.P. to beth.keller@chriskids.org.
JANUARY
STARFISH BALL
Jan. 7 Atlanta’s most festive Mardi Gras celebration at The St. Regis Atlanta includes a formal dinner and silent auction. The benefit supports the nsoro Foundation and its student scholarship. A nsoro scholar who grew up in foster care, graduated high school, and currently maintains a GPA of 3.5 at college will be honored. Tickets $500. Patron sponsorships begin at $2,500. Call 404/574-6763.
PIEDMONT BALL
Jan. 28 The prestigious 55th annual white-tie ball, themed “The Renaissance Ball,” will be held at the Piedmont Driving Club. Proceeds will support the Diabetes Resource Center. Patricia H. Meadors, M.D. is honorary chair. Mrs. George J. Hauptfuhrer III and Mrs. N. Spencer Welch are co-chairs. 404/605-3273.
TORCH GALA
Jan. 28 The Georgia Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCFA) presents the 21st Annual Torch Gala at the InterContinental Buckhead hotel. For the past 20 years, this dinner dance and silent auction has been the largest single fundraiser of the year for the Georgia Chapter and attracts Atlanta's finest and most generous philanthropists who recognize that a history of commitment and service is a window to a future cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Amy Suiter, CCFA Development Manager at 404/982-0616 or asuiter@ccfa.org.
FEBRUARY
CATHEDRAL ANTIQUES SHOW GALA PREVIEW PARTY
Feb. 1 The Cathedral of St. Philip comes alive with celebration for this special evening to kick off the 41st anniversary of the Antiques Show (Feb. 2-4). Guests and sponsors will have the first look at fine antiques while enjoying music, fine wine and delectable offerings. Benefits AADD (All About Developmental Disabilities). cathedralantiques.org. 404/365-1107.
ATLANTA BALLET BALL
Feb. 4 6 PM. The 2012 ball, honoring dance legend Twyla Tharp, will be held at St. Regis Atlanta and will kick-off the countdown to Twyla’s world premiere, which will open the following weekend at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Atlanta Ballet Trustee Merry Carlos will be chairing the ball with Su So Longman. Proceeds benefit the Ballet and Centre for Dance Education. 404/873-5811 ext. 203.
TASTE OF LOVE GALA
Feb. 11 7 PM-1 AM. The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia presents its signature fundraising gala at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, featuring gourmet dining, premium wine pairings, live entertainment, top-notch silent and live auctions and dancing. $250. Call 404/527-7155 or visit epilepsyga.org.
HOPE AND WILL BALL
Feb. 11 Ninth annual fundraiser for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will be held at the St. Regis Atlanta. The black-tie evening will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, live auction and dancing. Tara Widener, ball chair; Beth Park, co-chair. Visit choa.org/hopeandwillball.
BIG-TO-DO
Feb. 12 3-6 PM. For the first time, the Big-To-Do, a family event benefiting Visiting Nurse Health System's Children's Program, takes place at Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park. The event offers families an exciting snow adventure and SnoFire Point is the place to warm up with s'mores; hot snacks are offered indoors. Attendees can enjoy Snow Mountain all day, plus two hours of private use of the snow tubing slopes from 3-6 PM. Individual tickets are $60 and include free parking and a memorable gift for kids. Children under 36 inches tall are free. Tickets are available at vnhs.org.
SPOTLIGHT ON ART GALA
Feb. 18 Annual signature fundraiser for Trinity School at the InterContinental Hotel featuring a seated dinner, silent auction, entertainment and a live auction with a specially curated collection. Proceeds benefit Trinity’s teacher education and scholarship funds. For more information, visit spotlightonart.com or call 404/231-8119.
AMUSE’UM
Feb. 25 7 PM. Join Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta at Amuse’um 2012: Circus Spectacular. Guests dressed in “playground chic” attire will enter a magnificent midway and big top where they will experience a dynamic evening of play. Proceeds support the museum’s educational programming and outreach. $130. Christine Hunt and Stephanie Langford, chairs. Charles and Ginny Brewer, honorary chairs. 404/527-5908. childrensmuseumatlanta.org/support/amuseum.
GREAT GATSBY GALA
Feb. 25 7 PM. Whisper the password to enter the secret world of a speakeasy at the Cumberland Academy of Georgia’s annual fundraiser. Enjoy dinner, drinks, dancing and casino gaming along with a live and silent auction. The age of jazz, flappers and fellas will come to life at Cumberland Academy, 650 Mt. Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Tickets are $150. 1920’s attire encouraged. 404/835-9000. cumberlandacademy.org.
WARM HEARTS AND COLD NOSES GALA
Feb. 25 6:30-midnight. This benefit evening for Happy Tails Pet Therapy features entertainment, dining and silent and live auctions at the Atlanta Marriott, Perimeter Center. Luke Robinson, subject of an upcoming book and movie on his efforts to raise awareness for canine cancer, will serve as honorary chair. Nancy Alterman, chair. For tickets and sponsorship information, call 770/262-6300 or visit happytailspets.org.
OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA-ATLANTA BENEFIT
Feb. 26 Entertainment’s biggest show returns to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre at Atlanta’s only official Oscar®-viewing party. Guests will experience the broadcast in an elegant theater setting, with silent and live auctions, and a DJ-led dance floor for added entertainment. Co-chaired by Ron and Claire Francis and John and Robin Moore. For sponsorship opportunities, visit TheCFR.org. For individual tickets, visit AtlantaRedCarpet.com.