Jan. 4
Born to be Wild. The kickoff party for the 10th annual Thunder by the Bay fest to benefit the Florida Center for Child and Family Development gets underway at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at Michael’s On East; $40 at the door. Dress, of course, is biker attire. The festival itself also includes a barbecue, Jan. 5, and a motorcycle poker run and downtown festival and bike show, both Jan. 6. 371-8820 ext. 1800.

Jan. 5
The Art of Circus Gala. It’s Ulla-la! under the Big Top at Tuttle Avenue and 12th Street, as Circus Sarasota’s gala honors benefactress Ulla Searing. Dinner, dancing, auctions and more; tickets start at $150. 355-9335.

Jan. 8
Artist Series of Sarasota Scholarship Dinner. Featuring 2007 Vocal Performance First Prize Winner Matthew Daniels, in the ballroom at The Oaks Country Club; tickets $125. 388-1188.

Jan. 11
Arts Night. Kicking off the Sarasota County Arts Council’s Artfull Weekend, Arts Night offers food, drink and entertainment in downtown Sarasota. For complete details call 365-5118.

Jan. 12
Chair-ity. An evening of music, dancing, food, a live auction and more, at 7:30 p.m. at Michael’s On East, to benefit The Better World Foundation for Children. 323-1010.

Jan. 13
Bradenton Opera Guild Winter Gala. The annual gala, honoring Alisa and Ernest Kretzmer, commences at 6 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club and benefits the Sarasota Opera Association. Tickets $150; 776-2850.
NARSAD Gala. This year’s gala, the 11th annual, takes place at the Ritz-Carlton and benefits mental health research. Tickets $300; call 308-MIND.

Jan. 16
Women in Power Luncheon. The National Council of Jewish Women, Sarasota-Manatee chapter, honors three strong women known for their work in the community, at Michael’s On East. Tickets $40. 926-7799.

Jan. 18
ARC’s A Dog’s Night Out. Bring your best buddy for an evening of cocktails, shopping and food to benefit Animal Rescue Coalition, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Saks. Tickets $75 per person; $25 per pooch. 957-1955 ext. 0.

Jan. 19
Florida West Coast Symphony Gala. “Bea-Dazzled” is the theme of this year’s gala, honoring donor extraordinaire Bea Friedman. Dinner, music, ballroom dancing and a special composition in Bea’s honor are all planned for the evening at the Van Wezel; tickets $250 and up. 953-4252.

Jan. 24
Catholic Charities Ball. The ball, themed “An Evening in Italy,” takes place at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, this year; tickets $125. 484-4543.

Jan. 25
Senior Friendship Centers 35th Anniversary Dinner. Celebrating more than three decades of reaching out to seniors with this dinner at the Senior Friendship Center. Tickets $150; 955-2122.
United Cerebral Palsy Bachelor Ball and Auction. Get ready for “Manhattan Nights” for this year’s ball, transplanted from the summer to the height of the season, at Michael’s On East. For ticket info call 957-3599.

Jan. 27
Jewish Housing Foundation “It’s a Saxy Affair.” A celebration dinner honoring Mike and Jewel Ash, at Michael’s On East. For ticket info call 377-0781.

Jan. 28
Mangroves to Mangos Luncheon. Chef (and Sarasota Magazine contributor) Judi Gallagher is hard at work in the kitchen for this luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East, to benefit Historic Spanish Point. For ticket info, call 966-5214 ext. 230.

Jan. 30
Bradenton Opera Guild Fashion Show/Luncheon. Casual wear and formal attire will be modeled; cocktails start at 11:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. Tickets $30; call 792-1028.

Jan. 31
American Jewish Committee Human Relations Award Dinner. Set for at Michael’s On East. Tickets $250; call 365-4955.