ALL FOR NY

The Citizens Committee for NYC hosts its billowing black tie gala for the New Yorkiest of them all. The New Yorker for New York Awards Gala (a mouthful!) will get an ecstatic earful as the Metropolitan Opera’s Patricia Racette and Marcello Giordani perform for six of the Big Apple’s greatest residents. Honorees include Peter Gelb, Amanda Burden, Karen Cohen, Jack O’Kelley III, Bill Cunningham, and Karen Washington. This is sure to be the most stunning civic gala to date! 6:30 p.m. The Waldorf.
Call: 212-675-9474 x18

*A NIGHT OF HOPE

Let Wayne Newton serenade you at the Palm Beach 50th annual Cancer Ball to benefit the American Cancer Society. The gala promises to be one of the most sophisticated evenings of the season. Chairs include Dame Celia Lipton Farris, Diana Ecclestone, and Patrick Park. Invitation only. 7:30 p.m. Mar-a-lago. Call: 561-655-3449.

BALLET ANYONE?

Man dancers are the theme for New York City Ballet’s Annual Luncheon honoring Balanchine for his amazing choreography that created roles specifically for male dancers. Join chairs Nina Griscom, Nicole Miller, Katie von Strasser, and Caroline Dean at The Promenade at Lincoln Center for the event, sponsored by Chopard. 11:15 a.m. Lincoln Center. Call: 212-870-5585.

VALENTINE LUNCH

The 9th annual Valentine Salon Luncheon is going green this year, and is appropriately titled Love Our Children; Protect Our Environment. Chair Phyllis Jaeger and master of ceremonies Juliet Papa will share the stage with anchor Peri Peltz, who will talk about the importance of protecting the environment. 11:15 a.m. Rainbow Room. Call: 631-288-7080

*HEARTS OF PALM

The 53rd annual Palm Beach Heart Ball has the honor of calling itself the oldest Heart Ball in the nation. This year’s Valentines at Versailles theme will celebrate its chairman and two-time open-heart surgery survivor, Kathryn Vecellio. The gala is sponsored by the American Heart Association and is sure to attract hundreds of prestigious guests. 7 p.m. The Breakers.
Call: 561-615-3888.

*ART & ANTIQUES

With 50,000 guests on hand, the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show will return with 200 world-class exhibitors showcasing sculpture, art, jewelry, watches, clocks, and other objets d’art that your next door neighbor or museum curator would clamor for. This year’s opening-night preview party will benefit the Historical Society of Palm Beach. Runs through the 19th. 5:30 p.m. Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Call: 561-822-5440.

*DISCOVERY BALL

The 17th annual Discovery Ball commemorates the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and is sure to be one of the premier events of the Palm Beach season. Chairs include Michele and Howard Kessler, and Phyllis Krock. 7 p.m. Mar-a-Lago. Call: 561-833-2080.

MASQUERADE BALL

Prepare yourself for a night in Chelsea that will go down in costume history. The Dream of the Red Chamber Masquerade Ball will be a baroque and decadent over-the-top fundraising event. There will also be an auction of masks created by renowned artists Dennis Oppenheim, Hunt Slonem, Donald Baechler, William Wegman, Kunie Sugiura, and Naoto Nakagawa, among others. Chairs include Eugenia Foxworth, Gale Elston, Marisa Marchetto, Martin Liu, and Ethan Cohen. 7 p.m. White Box.
Call: 212-714-2347.

THE GOLDEN MIKE

Get those Mickey Mouse ears on! The Broadcasters Foundation of America will award the Golden Mike to Anne Sweeney, co-chair and president of Disney Media Networks. Sweeney, voted one of the 50 Most Powerful Women by Forbes, is responsible for broadcasting the Disney Channel into 500 million homes all over the world. 6 p.m. The Waldorf. Call: 203-862-8577.

MAMA KNOWS BEST

Cancer survivor and philanthropic superwoman Cynthia Lufkin will be presented with the Mother of the Year award by the American Cancer Society. Event chairs include Grace Hightower, Karen LeFrak, Dayle Haddon, Marianne Castle, Muffie Potter Aston, Somers Farkas, Rachel Hovnanian, and Wendy Carduner. 11:45 a.m. The Plaza.
Call: 212-237-3888.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Put down those paintbrushes and pick up good vibrations while the Beach Boys perform at this year’s Lincoln Center Arts in Education Benefit. Honorees Susan and Jack Rudin will be paid tribute to for their dedication to arts in education. Ellen Futter will accept the Mark A. Schubart Award. So sail away to Cipriani and remember to sway to “Surfer Girl”! 6:30 p.m. Cipriani 42nd Street. Call: 212-875-5521.

THEATER GALA

Break out your best theatrical numbers and join Tony Bennett as he presents the Women’s Project founder, Iris Cantor, with this year’s Women of Achievement Award. Joining in for the festivities are Laurie Tucker and Kerry Washington. So don your best black-tie frock and join mistress of ceremonies Diana Williams with co-chairs Annette Green and Jann Leeming for cocktails and dinner. 6:30 p.m. Rainbow Room.
Call: 212-765-1706 x200.

BALLET GALA

More than 400 patrons will get their tutus in a ruffle for this year’s glamorous Winter Ball dinner dance co-sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels. The School of American Ballet will perform in front of alumni as well as leaders of New York’s most prestigious corporations and social groups. Join patron chairs Chelsea Clinton, Allison Aston, and Alexis Tobin for the Encore afterparty. 7 p.m. Lincoln Center. Call: 212-769-6610.

LEGEND’S NIGHT

Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson! The 2008 Jackie Robinson Foundation Annual Awards Dinner will honor Clive Davis and George Lucas in celebration of the foundation’s 35th anniversary. 6:30 p.m. Waldorf Astoria. Call: 212-290-8600.

FIT FOR A KING

Isaac Mizrahi has been giving us a passion for fashion for some time, but for the 2008 NYC Opera Spring Gala, this honorary chair will be trying his hand at costuming Henry Purcell’s new production of King Arthur. The Mark Morris Dance Group will perform in honor of Edmée de M. Firth, who founded the NYC Opera’s General Director’s Council. This gala aims to bring music into the lives of young students. 6 p.m. Lincoln Center. Call: 212-870-5622.

GOLDEN YEAR

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward Albee has chosen to celebrate his 80th hosted by Longhouse Reserve in East Hampton. The playwright will be joined by gallery owner Charlie Cowles, who will open his art-filled loft for a pre-theater supper. Special performances will be Albee’s seminal plays The Sandbox and The American Dream. There will be a 17-layer cake to commemorate each of his 17 plays. Anyone for a prize-winning slice? 6 p.m. Cherry Lane Theater, East Hampton.
Call: 631-329-3568.

*CHOCK FULL O’ CHOCOLATE

The 27th annual Evening of Vision Gala has an eye for chocolate. With its “Cirque du Chocolate” theme, this black tie gala promises dancing, dining, and a spectacular silent auction. All proceeds benefit Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Chairpersons include John and Marianne Castle, Denise and David Chase, and Herme de Wyman Miro. 7 p.m. The Breakers.
Call: 561-515-1527.

START YOUR ENGINE

Get your engines in gear for the 2008 East Side House Settlement Gala, sponsored by Lamborghini. This year’s New York International Auto Show will feature a spectacular Lamborghini exhibition, a live auction by Christie’s auctioneer George McNeely, plus a private preview of the entire auto show. Chairs include Michael Moreno, Phil Yang, Joan Young, Tatiana Platt, Fe Fendi, and Annie Churchill. 6 p.m. Jacob Javits Center.
Call: 718-292-7392.

AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND

There might still be a slight chill in the air, but don’t let it stop you from ringing in the 2nd annual American Kidney Fund Spring Event. This night will honor Metrokane founder and president Riki Kane Larimer and Andrew Givens. Chairs include Michael Girgenti, Liz Enright and Christina Pisano. So enjoy the view and bring along your best pashmina. 6:30 p.m. Water’s Edge, Long Island City.
Call: 516-336-8530.

UNDER THE STARS

Grab your ice skates and hope that you’ll be able to slip and slide alongside Olympic figure skating champions Dorothy Hamill, Sara Hughes, and Viktor Petrenko at Figure Skating in Harlem’s Skating With the Stars at Central Park’s Wollman Rink. Tim Gunn, Lorraine Bracco, Regis Philbin, Nicole Miller, Kim Raver, and Carson Kressley are among the benefit committee. This star-studded event includes honorary chairs Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Lundgren, and Donald and Melania Trump. 6 p.m. Central Park. Call: 212-675-9474 x18.