Social calendar

Benefits/Fundraisers

Comedian Dana Carvey - One of Saturday Night Live’s most famous performers will join Mark and Marcy Few, the Zags and ESPN personalities at the annual Coaches vs. Cancer. Sunday, 8 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $50-$150. (509) 624-1200.

Winemaker Evening - Benefit for the Washington Idaho Symphony featuring – hors d’oeuvres, gelato, award-winning wines and music by the Quartetto Gelato. Sept. 6, 6-9 p.m., Merry Cellars, 1300 NE Henley Court, Pullman. $75. (509) 338-4699.

Cobra Polo Classic - Polo players from around the world. Events include live music, champagne divot stomp, hat competition, silent auction, gourmet food and wine. Benefits the Ronald McDonald House. Reservations requested. Sept. 8, Noon-4 p.m., Spokane Polo Club, 7500 W. State Route 2. $225/person. (509) 624-0500.

Dirty Martinis for Clean Water - Fundraiser for Spokane Riverkeeper. Cocktail party and silent auction featuring live music, a limited and exclusive art gallery, martini concoctions. Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Chateau Rive, Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave. $35 in advance, $40 at the door. (509) 464-7602.

Partners in Hope Fundraiser - Evening of food, entertainment, sharing, silent auction and refreshments to support counseling services. Variety of local performers throughout the night. Register by phone or visit www.sjfconline.org/. Sept. 19, 4:30-7:30 p.m., St. Joseph Family Center, 1016 N. Superior St. $60/person. (509) 483-6495.

Bedtime Stories Spokane 2013 - Several of the Northwest’s most celebrated authors will unveil original short works inspired by the event theme “Pillow Talk.” This year’s writers are Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken (“Plume”), Sharma Shields (“Favorite Monster”), Shawn Vestal (“Godforsaken Idaho”) and Jess Walter (“Beautiful Ruins”). The emcee is Gary Stokes, executive director of Friends of KSPS. This is a fundraiser supporting efforts by Humanities Washington to spark critical thinking and conversation. Individual tickets available online at www.btsspokane.eventbrite.com. Sept. 20, 6 p.m., Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $75. (206) 682-1770.

Viva Italia - 11th annual Munch & Mingle Auction. Appetizers and wine during the silent auction, a sit-down dinner at 4:30 p.m. and a live auction. Doors open at 3 p.m. Sept. 21, Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. $30/advance, $35/door. (509) 327-1584.

Caring for Kids Luncheon - Featured speaker Kelly Graves, head coach of the Gonzaga women’s basketball team. Social at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., program at 12:45 with emcees Stephanie Vigil and Dan Kleckner of KHQ-6. Proceeds benefit St. Anne’s Children and Family Center and Morning Star Boys’ Ranch. Complimentary babysitting available, call to reserve space. Visit www.CatholicCharities Spokane.org. Sept. 27, Doubletree Hotel, 322 N. Spokane Falls Blvd. $100/general, $50/age 30 and younger. (509) 358-4254.

Local Wounded Warrior Fundraiser - “Guns and Grub” to benefit Daniel Guerrero and his family. Guerrero was wounded in Afghanistan in May. He has had several surgeries including replacing the artery in his arm with veins from his leg and skin grafts. Raising money to help the family offset costs while his wife is with him and their kids remain with family in the Coeur d’Alene area. Register by Sept. 14 for the shoot. Must provide own gun and ammo (minimum 100 shells). Check-in is 9:15 a.m. Sept. 28, 10 a.m., Landt Farms Sporting Clays, 11829 N. Landt Farms Lane, Nine Mile Falls. $65/person, includes 100 clays and lunch catered by Longhorn Barbecue. (509) 279-8125.

Laugh for the Cure - Join Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington Affiliate for the second annual event featuring comedian Shaun Jones and joined by Drew Barth. Raffle items and no-host bar. Register online at www.komeneastern washingtn.org, Oct. 3, 6 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $75, includes dinner and show. (509) 927-1344.

“Into Africa” Partnering for Progress Fundraising Gala - African-themed evening that includes food, wine and a silent and live auction hosted by auctioneer Jeff Owens. Guest speaker will be P4P’s Kenya Project Administrator Seth Okuma. Funds raised at this event will enable P4P to implement water projects, provide educational scholarships for high school students in southwestern Kenya and continue nutritional programs and medical care. Oct. 4, 6 p.m., Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. $65; $400/table of eight. (509) 720-8408.

Hoedown for HOPE - Annual fundraiser for HOPE School (Hearing-Oral Program of Excellence) – the only listening and spoken language program in the region. The evening will include live music by Ryan Larsen Band, dinner and dessert by London’s Ultimate Catering, and items offered through raffles and prize packages. Oct. 5, 5 p.m., Rockin’ B Ranch, 3912 Spokane Bridge Road, Liberty Lake. $55/person, $550/table of 10. (509) 863-7097.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction - Annual event celebrating 75 years. Featuring Spokane chefs sampling their best dishes along with silent and live auctions. The event raises funds to support the March of Dimes efforts to reduce birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality. Dress is cocktail attire. 6 p.m., food and wine tastings; 8 p.m., live auction; and 9:30 p.m. to midnight, live music and dancing. For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.com/ washington. Oct. 12, Red Lion Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. $150/person. (509) 328-1920.

YMCA Camp Reed Auction - Oct. 12, Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Pend Oreille Pavilion, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights. $75. (509) 720-5630.

Great Futures Dinner and Auction - Presented by the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. Hosted beer and wine social hour, wine toss, raffles, games. Silent auction, followed by dinner, live auction and dancing. Proceeds from this event support the after-school and summer programs at the two clubs in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. Purchase tickets online www.northidahobgc.org or by phone. Oct. 19, 6 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene. $75/person or $500/table of eight. (208) 457-9089.

YMCA of Spokane Women of Achievement Luncheon - Five women whose leadership contributions have shaped the Spokane community will be honored. Keynote speaker, Leslie Morgan Steiner, is the New York Times best-selling author of “Crazy Love.” She sheds light on how domestic violence can happen to anyone and how we can help. Ticket proceeds go toward critical YWCA programs and services available to victims of domestic violence. Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m., INB Performing Arts Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $125; (509) 789-9299.

Epicurean Delight - 32nd annual event beings with a social hour at 6 p.m. tasting 30 of the region’s premier wineries and microbreweries. Dining begins at 7 p.m. in the ballroom. Award ceremony and 9:30 p.m.-midnight dancing. Benefits the Inland Northwest Blood Center. Nov. 8, Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $150 each. (509) 232-4567.

Gala Dinner and Auction - Includes approximately 100 pieces of art from local and regional artists. This fundraiser directly benefits the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture’s fine arts collection. Nov. 9, the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. (509) 363-5344.

Wishing Star Annual Dinner Auction - Second annual event hosted by the Spokane Chapter. Semi-formal event with silent and live auctions, wish kid testimonials, full bar. Visit www.wishingstar.org/. Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m., Mirabeau Hotel and Convention Center, 1100 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley. $50. (509) 744-3411.