SOCIAL CALENDAR

Benefit events kick offbusy holiday season of service

And you thought the charity scene was going to settle down during December, drifting off like newly fallen snow. Think again, reindeer breath.

The upcoming week is chock full of events for worthy causes, including several fund-raisers focusing on AIDS in conjunction with World AIDS Day, Monday. The underlying theme of the majority of the events is service to others, whether in the form of collecting toys for underprivileged children or raising funds for scholarships for Hispanic youths.

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The choices are many. Enjoy.

Monday

· AIDS Foundation Houston holds its annual World AIDS Day luncheon at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. Honorees: Karen and Eric Pulaski. Chairs: Nancy Beck, Ed Smith and Effie Booker.

Tickets: $150.

Details: 713-623-6796, ext. 278.

· DiverseWorks Art Space, the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater and Hope Stone Dance present The Illumination Project, a benefit performance for the Pediatric AIDS Initiative at Baylor College of Medicine and A Caring Safe Place Inc. Among dancers performing at DiverseWorks is Houston Ballet's Stanton Welch.

Tickets: $35, memory candles $25.

Details: 713-526-1907, ext. 3.

Tuesday

· The YWCA of Houston holds its 25th annual Outstanding Women's Luncheon at the Westin Galleria. B.A. Bentsen receives the Carroll Sterling Masterson Outstanding Woman of the Year Award. Honorees: 10 Women of Achievement. Chair: Mamie Moy. Honorary chair: Susan Baker.

Tickets: $75.

Details: 713-529-7800.

· The 14th annual Joyful Toyful Fiesta at Hunan provides holiday gifts and clothing for the children of Boys & Girls Harbor, Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Volunteer Houston. Chairs: Gigi Huang and Carmen and David Bridges. Honorary chairs: Ericka and Jeff Bagwell.

Tickets: Cash donations and/or unwrapped new toys and gifts with a value of $50 or more.

Details: 713-523-5564.

· "A Holiday Experience With the Art Crowd," benefiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, takes place at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. The evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and tours of Bayou Bend is free to Art Crowd members, the museum support group for young MFAH members.

Tickets: $50.

Details: 713-639-7551.

· In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Houston Symphony's Community Connections community outreach program will present a 20-piece chamber orchestra concert at Bering Memorial United Methodist Church. The free concert will serve as format for the sale of tickets to the May 1 Houston Symphony-k.d. lang concert benefiting the Houston Symphony and Bering Omega Community Services, an HIV/AIDS charity.

Tickets: n/a.

Details: 713-344-5617.

Wednesday

· Houston Grand Opera holds its Masterson Award dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel ballroom benefiting HGO's production of The Barber of Seville. Honoree: Rudy Avelar, recognized for his 25 years with the opera company. Chairs: Donna Bruni, Terrie Hogan and Karen Mayell.

Tickets: $350.

Details: 713-546-0277.

· Hermann Park Urban Green, the youngish support group for the park and an offshoot of Friends of Hermann Park, holds a benefit preview of the holiday lights in the park at the outdoor cafe at the McGovern Lake Boardwalk. The cocktail party with live music includes paddle-boat rides on the lake. Boat rides free to those buying VIP $50 tickets.

Tickets: $25.

Details: 713-524-5876.

· The Shepherd School of Music holds its annual Madrigal Dinner series (through Friday) kicking off the holiday season at Cohen House on the Rice University campus. Chair: Vicki West.

Tickets: $75.

Details: 713-348-3492.

Thursday

· Child Advocates holds its Angels of Hope Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion Presentation featuring St. John CEO Kelly Gray and the St. John Couture Collection at the Westin Galleria. Honoree: Lucile B. Melcher. Chair: Philamena Baird.

Tickets: $250.

Details: 713-529-1396, ext. 234.

Friday

· The Fresh Arts Coalition and Glasstire benefit from the "Bling Bling Fling" at Sarah Balinskas Fine Framing. The evening includes a silent auction of works by 21 Texas artists, pink snow, gospel carolers, a visit from Santa, holiday nibbles and libations, and music by Austin's Dysfunkshun Junkshun.

Tickets: $60 for Fresh Arts Coalition members; $69 in advance, $79 at the door.

Details: 713-523-2040.

Dec. 7

· Los Sembradores de Amistad holds the 36th annual Posada gala evening at the InterContinental Houston, with funds going to scholarships for Hispanic students. Mango Punch! performs at the black-tie evening that includes food, dance and the Posada procession. Chair: Manuel Davila.

Tickets: $125.

Details: 281-376-0408.

· Ernie Barnes, one of the nation's leading African-American artists and a former pro football player, shares his artwork and conversation with guests at the black-tie Holiday Art Gala at the Houston City Club in Greenway Plaza. Organized by LaSalle's Gallery in Stafford, the evening benefits Habitat for Humanity. Entertainment will include dance music as well as jazz by Joe Carmouche and Cloris Grimes.

Tickets: $125.

Details: 281-261-7150.