Oct. 5 Freedom Awards Banquet. The N.A.A.C.P.’s Sarasota County branch celebrates citizens who have made outstanding contributions, at the Hyatt Sarasota. Tickets $75; call 355-2097.
UCP’s Someone’s in the Kitchen with Tommy and Phil. Interactive cooking fun with Tommy Klauber and Phil Mancini, at Michael’s On East. 957-3599.
Oct. 6 Gulfcoast Legal Services 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner. Spirit of Justice Awards recipients will be honored at this event, beginning at 6 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Country Club. Tickets $100; 366-1746.
Opening Night Gala 2006. The Historic Asolo Theater at the John and Mable Ringling Museum officially reopens after extensive restoration with performances by opera star Susan Graham, soprano Kristin Clayton and composer-pianist Jake Heggie; dinner and festivities to follow. For ticket info call 359-5700 ext. 7301.
Oct. 10 Arts Awards Celebration. The Sarasota County Arts Council pat on the back to the arts takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater; tickets $20. Call 365-5818.
Oct. 12 Key to the Cure. Key to the Casino…Cancer is No Gamble is this year’s theme for the kickoff party Oct. 12 at Saks Fifth Avenue, which benefits the Moffitt/Sarasota Cancer Coalition Fund. So shop ‘til you drop. 364-5301.
Oct. 14 Celebrate Freedom Gala. The first gala to benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs takes place at Lakewood Ranch Country Club; tickets $100. 729-5665 ext. 118.
Oct. 18 Lunch with Almost-Apprentice Lee Bienstock. That’s right, last year’s runner-up for the role of Donald Trump’s newest employee comes to Sarasota to talk about the power of networking and more, in a Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation IMPACT event, at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s on East. Tickets $36; call 371-4546 ext. 107.
Oct. 19–20 Wine, Women & Shoes. Top female Napa Valley vintners and exclusive women’s shoe designers combine for this second annual event to benefit Forty Carrots Family Center. On the calendar: a benefit luncheon and fashion show at 11 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Ritz (that’s SARASOTA Magazine’s private reception and early girl shopping; lunch really happens at 11:45), Wine & Shoe Pairings 101, at 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Tasting Room; and an investment seminar for women at 8 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Ritz with financial expert Terry Savage. There’s more to know, so call 365-7716.
Oct. 20 Make-A-Wish Foundation Shining Star Award Celebration. It’s a Harlequin Ball theme for this evening at Michael’s On East, which gets under way at 7 p.m. and costs $125. 926-9474.
Oct. 21C.A.N. Dance. The annual ballroom championship dancing event to benefit the Community AIDS Network, at the Chelsea Center. Tickets $225; call 366-0461.
UnGala Gala. The Ringling Museum’s really big fund raiser is always an evening filled with outstanding attire and lots of surprises. Find out what they are starting at 6 p.m. in the Ringling Museum courtyard; tickets $250. 359-5733.
Oct. 22 Sarasota Opera Curtain Raiser. A dinner to herald the beginning of the opera season, at 6:30 p.m. at Michael’s On East. Tickets $150; call 366-8450.
Oct. 26 Sarasota/Manatee/Moffitt Women’s Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Panel. Lunch is at noon at the Ritz-Carlton; then ABC7’s Heidi Godman moderates a panel of three Moffitt cancer specialists, who will take questions from the audience. Tickets $75; 924-7729 or (813) 745-4327.
American Jewish Committee Civic Achievement Award Dinner. Architects Carl Abbott, Guy Peterson and Tim Seibert are the honorees at this year’s event at Michael’s On East. Time and ticket price TBA; call 365-4955.
Oct. 26–29 17th Annual Stone Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival. Celebrate the crab and other offerings of the ocean, with events including culinary demonstrations by guest chefs Oct. 26, a tasting on the beach, Oct. 27, and the Chef’s Collaboration Gala, a seven-course meal with specially selected wines, Oct. 28. Ticket prices vary; for more details call 383-6464 ext. 2854.
Oct. 27 Noche de Celebration. Dinner, dancing, a special Latino musical presentation and more to support the Hispanic-American Center, at Michael’s On East. Tickets $150; call 955-3934.
Oct. 28 Mote Marine’s Oceanic Evening. “On Green Dolphin Street” is the theme for this year’s dinner-dance to benefit Mote, held in the aquarium courtyard. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 8, tickets $250 each. 388-4441 ext. 305.
Cool Caribbean Nights. Enjoy dinner, dancing and a silent auction, all to benefit the Laurel Civic Association, at Venice Community Center. Tickets $75; call 483-3338.