*AT BAY STREET THEATRE ROMANCE

by David Mamet plays now thru Sept. 5. Directed by Lisa Peterson, the starstudded cast includes Chris Bauer (True Blood), Darrell Hammond (SNL), Richard Kind (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Matt McGrath (Cabaret ), Reg Rogers (The Royal Family) and Joey Slotnick (Nip/Tuck). A shockingly funny show not to be missed. Bay Street Theatre. Sag Harbor. For tickets call: 631-725-9500 or online at baystreet.org.

Tuesday, September 21

Support the Children

It’s all about the kids at the New Yorkers For Children Fall Gala. Join chairs Henry and Vanessa Cornell, Oscar de la Renta, Susan and Tony Gilroy, Shirin von Wulffen, and Frédéric Fekkai for cocktails, dinner, live auction, and dancing. 6:30 p.m. Cipriani 42nd Street. Call: 212-867-1117.

Wednesday, September 22

MUSIC MAN

Alec Baldwin plays host at NY Philharmonic’s Opening Night Celebration of the 169th Season. It will be music to your ears as Alan Gilbert will direct an astounding concert, composed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Wynton Marsalis, along with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. 6:30 p.m. Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Call: 212-875-5757.

Art of Farming

Just in time for the harvest season! Support local farmers at the first Art of Farming event, hosted by Martha Stewart and Bette Midler. Sink your teeth into the farm-to-dish hors d’oeuvres by Rouge Tomate. 7:00 p.m. Sotheby’s. Call: 212-829-0002.

Friday, September 24

Film Fun

The Film Society of Lincoln Center will present its 48th Annual New York Film Festival opening night, which will continue through October 10th. 6:30 p.m. Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Call: 212-875-5601.

Monday, September 27

Artsy Occasion

Dress to impress at the Exploring the Arts’ 2010 Gala! Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and performances by Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole. Join honorees Michael Francis and Joseph Laurita, along with chair Michael Imperioli. 6:30 p.m. Cipriani on 55 Wall Street. Call: 212-254-6677

Wednesday, September 29

Fete de Swifty!

Street fair meets cocktail party at the seventh annual Fete de Swifty Benefit! This year, Mary J. Blige, Tim Gunn, Mariska Hargitay, Nicole Kidman, John Starks, Steve Stoute and Malik Yoba will serve as the honorary chairs alongside founder Liz Smith. 6:00 p.m. Tent at East 73rd Street. Call: 212-843-9253.

OCTOBER 2010

FRIAR'S ROAST

Join Roastmaster Samuel L. Jackson as Quentin Tarantino is honored at the Friar’s Club Roast. Rosario Dawson, Michelle Rodriguez, Pam Grier, and Eli Roth will be in attendance. 12:00 Noon. The Hilton. Call: 212-751-7272.

Magic, Martinis, Mario, oh my!

Culinary talent Mario Batali will whip up a four-course meal while mixologist Tony About- Ganim shakes up cocktails for the crowd. Billy Harris will provide the magical entertainment. 7:00 p.m. Del Posto, 10th Ave. Tickets sold on www.mariobatalifoundation.org.

Shall we dance ?

The NYC Ballet will celebrate the fall season featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang. Join Sarah Jessica Parker and Maria-Cristina Anzola for cocktails and dinner. 5:30 p.m. David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Call: 212-870-5570.

*Hamptons Film Festival

The Hamptons International Film Festival is back! Alec Baldwin will host the 18th annual event which continues through October 11th. Visit www.hamptonsfilmfest. org for event updates and tickets or call: 646-861-0843.

At the Armory

Cocktails and dinner will be served at the Park Avenue Armory Gala. Join chairs Angela E. Thompson, Rufus Wainwright, Amy and Jeffrey Silverman, and Karen and William Ackman for a superb evening. 6:30 p.m. Park Avenue Armory. Call: 212-243-7300.

Fiesta Time!

Get in on the glamour at the Casita Maria Gala. Mandarin Oriental. 7:00 p.m. Call: 212-573-6933.

Hoo-ray for Cabaret!

Dress in your finest cocktail attire for The NY Presbyterian Hospital’s Cabaret 2010 Gala and enjoy a performance by Jane Krakowski. 6:30 p.m. Park Avenue Armory. Call: 914-235-1490.

NY After Dark

Swing by the Director’s Council’s New York After Dark party for cocktails and dancing! Join chairs Mark Gilbertson, Phoebe Gubelmann, and Allison Rockefeller to benefit the Museum of the City of New York. 7:30 p.m. The Four Seasons. Call: 917-492-3326.

STAYING ABREAST

Mount Sinai Breast Health Resource Program is having its18th Annual Celebration of Life Gala. Dress in chic cocktail attire for dinner and dancing to honor The Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. 7:00 p.m. The Pierre. Call: 212-675-9474.

Part y for the Park!

The Women’s Committee will hold its annual fall luncheon to introduce friends to the Central Park Conservancy. 11:30 a.m. Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Call: 212-310-6618.

Evening for Elton!

An Enduring Vision, a benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, will honor Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Tamara Mellon, Victor Pinchuk, and Elena Franchuk. Anderson Cooper will play host at the event which will feature a special performance by Sir Elton John and Leon Russel. 7:00 p.m. Cipriani Wall Street. Call: 212-219-0297.

Autumn Dinner

The Annual Autumn Dinner, one of the most memorable parties of the year, will celebrate America’s finest museums. 7:00 p.m. The Frick. Call: 212-547-0766.

Hunger-no-more!

Sink your teeth into the City Harvest at the 16th annual Bid Against Hunger restaurant tasting, featuring dishes from Blue Hill, Tribeca Grill, Landmarc, Le Bernardin, and other great NYC restaurants along with a silent auction. 7:30 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion. Call: 212-843-8079.

For the Family!

Get in on the fun at the American Museum of Natural History’s 17th Annual Family Party! 5:00 p.m. American Museum of Natural History. Call: 212- 496-3409.

Mad About Loot!

Check out the most cutting-edge jewelry designs at one of MAD’s most popular events––LOOT! 2010. The opening night gala includes cocktails and an exhibition viewing. Museum of Arts and Design, Columbus Circle. 6:00 p.m. Call: 212-299-7729.

Celebrate the Legends

Pratt Institute presents Legends 2010, honoring designer Tommy Hilfiger, artist Ellsworth Kelly, and philanthropist Emily Fisher Landau. President Thomas F. Shutte and chair Mike Pratt play hosts, along with trustees Kurt Andersen and Amy Capellazzo. World Trade Center. 6:00 p.m. Call: 718-399-4486.

Calling all angels!

Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer hosts the much-anticipated 2010 Angel Ball. Join Denise Rich, Samantha Harris, DJ Cassidy, and honorees The Edge, Morleigh Steinberg, and Bernd Beetz for a memorable evening. Cipriani Wall Street. 6:30 p.m. Call: 212-614-0400.

It’s Tiffany Time!

Be the first to check out the new Tiffany Leather collection at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Benefit. Cocktails will be served at Tiffany, followed by dancing at the ‘21’ Club. 7:00 p.m. Call: 212-744-5022.

HALLOWEEN BALL

The spirit of Halloween will come to life at The Central Park Conservancy’s annual Halloween Ball. Meet NYC’s business community and celebrity crowd under the spooky tent for dancing, along with a whimsical celebration of the haunted season. Central Park at 72nd Street. 7:00 p.m. Call: 212-310-6691.

Experience The Mystery

The 27th annual Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala will honor Naeem and Ranjana Khan. Vibrant colors and exotic tastes will bring the Experience the Mystery theme to life. Join chairs Muffie Potter Aston, Donna Dixon Aykroyd, and Somers Farkas for dinner and dancing. The Waldorf. 6:30 p.m. Call: 800-272-3900.

Symposium Lunch

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Annual Awards Luncheon, followed by an enlightening symposium, will recognize Angela Hartley Brodie and Judy Craymer. Show your support for cancer awareness! 9:45 a.m. Waldorf Astoria. Call: 917-697-7500.

PAL

Join Liz Smith for the Police Athletic League’s 22nd Annual Women of the Year Luncheon! Carol Higgins Clark, Susie Essman, Veronica Kelly, and Gena Rena Lovett will serve as the honorees. 11:45 a.m. The Pierre. Call: 212-477-9450.

Music to Your Ears!

Celebrate the season with a spectacular black-tie evening, at the NYC Opera Fall Gala, featuring a one-night-only concert with Grammy-award winning soprano Christine Brewer. Dinner and dancing follow the performance. 6:00 p.m. David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Call: 212- 870-5622.

NOVEMBER

Library Lions!

Join us at the 2010 Library Lions event to honor Steve Martin, Malcolm Gladwell, Ethan Hawke, Paul LeClerc, and Zadie Smith. 7:00 p.m. Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at The New York Public Library. Call: 212-262-7444.

All for Art

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Yvonne Force Villareal, Simon de Pury, and Joel Wachs will host the I Love Art annual auction, presented by the Children’s Museum of the Arts. 7:00 p.m. CMA’s Future Home, Hudson Street. Call: 212-274-0986.

A Landmark Celebration

Liz Smith will host The New York Conservancy’s 2010 Living Landmarks Celebration, honoring Graydon Carter, Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas, Yoko Ono, Larry Silverstein, and Jonathan Tisch. Black tie attire. 6:30 p.m. The Plaza Hotel. Call: 888-850-0909.

Pony Awards

An extraordinary evening awaits you, as Sirio Maccioni and family will be honored at the Pony Awards. Le Cirque. Call: 917-612-6161.

MoMa-Marvelous!

Swing by MoMA’s Annual Film Benefit! Sip on cocktails and relish a spectacular dinner, along with a presentation to honor Kathryn Bigelow. The Museum of Modern Art. 6:30 p.m. Call: 212-708-9680.

Princess Grace Gala

The Princess Grace Foundation will host its annual Awards Gala. Cipriani 42nd Street. Call: 212-245-6570.

For the Cure

Dress in your foxiest attire for the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s annual A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to a Cure Benefit. 6:30 p.m. The Waldorf. Call: 212-245-6570.

A Magical Evening

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation marks its 20th Anniversary, A Magical Evening Gala. Cocktails and dinner will be served, as Dr. John E. Kelly accepts the Visionary Leadership Award. Committee members include Barbara Walters, Robin Williams, Meryl Streep, and John Lithgow. 6:30 p.m. Marriott Marquis. Call 212-333-7728.

DECEMBER

Power to Women!

New York Women’s Foundation hosts its 2010 Gala with cocktails and dinner, to honor courageous New Yorkers who step up for women and families. 6:30 p.m. Gotham Hall. Call: 212-254-6677.

Top Dog

Show your puppy love at The Animal Medical Center’s Centennial Top Dog Gala! Join honorees Katharine and William Rayner, along with chairs Elaine Langone, Nancy Kissinger, Donna Acquavella, and Emilia Krimendahl. 7:00 p.m. American Museum of Natural History. Call: 212-329-8666.

French and Fabulous

Designer Marc Jacobs and TOTAL Chairman CEO Christophe de Margerie will be honored at this black tie 2010 French Institute’s Trophee Des Arts Gala. 7:00 p.m. The Plaza. Call: 917-349-8361.

‘Tis The Season!

Get into the holiday spirit at The Nutcracker Family Benefit. Join chairs Kathy Drill, Julia Koch, and Elizabeth G. Miller for a spectacular performance, followed by a party. 2:00 p.m. David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Call: 212-870-5585