Saturday, May 2

• Parrish Art Museum: "Spring Fling." Annual cocktail party and community celebration. Live band and hors d’oeuvres. Cocktails and a specialty martini bar in a tent on the Museum’s west lawn. Silent auction featuring a selection of goods and services donated by the local East End business community. Co-Chairs: Susan Davis and Nancy Hardy. Details from 631-283-2118, ext. 42.

Monday, May 4

• City of Hope East End Chapter: "Jeanne Kaye League Spirit of Life Award Luncheon" at 11:30 a.m. at the Waldorf-Astoria. Details from LFuldNY@aol.com.

  ---

• James Beard Foundation: "Awards and Gala." Details from 212-675-4984.

Tuesday, May 5

• National Academy Museum & School of Fine Arts: "Spring Gala--Palate & Palette." Details from 212-369-4880, ext. 226.

Thursday, May 7

• Diabetes Research Institute Foundation: "D.R.E.a.M.S. in the City" at Capitale, honoring women's fashion designer Naeem Khan. 6:30 p.m. Emcee: actor Richard Kind. Music. Food. Cocktails. Co-Chairs: Samantha Shanken Baker, Elizabeth Beskin, Bonnie Inserra and Risa Pulver. Cocktail Attire. Tickets: $400 ($200 for junior guests under 35). Details from dreams@drif.org or purchase tickets online.

  ---

• Grand Street Settlement: "9th Annual Taste of the Lower East Side" at the Puck Building, featuring signature dishes and cocktails from over thirty five neighborhood restaurants. Live DJ, silent auction and raffle prizes. Tickets: $150 (in advance; $200 at the door). Details and purchase tickets online.

  ---

• Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service: "2009 Spring Gala & Dance Party--Strengthening Families, Realizing Dreams" at the Frank Gehry-designed IAC Building in Chelsea. 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Silent and Live Auctions. Raffle. Dinner and Dancing with music by Donna D’Cruz. Susan & Thomas J. McInerney, Gala Dinner Co-Chairs. The event will help celebrate and sustain LSA’s enduring commitment to East Harlem through programs that both address urgent needs and provide vital resources for the future. Tickets: $350 ($100 for New Friend ticket for entry at 9:30 p.m. for Dessert, Drinks and Dancing). Details from 646-672-5279, bfink@lsafhs.org or purchase tickets online.

  ---

• Grand Central Partnership for the benefit of the Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation: "Grand Gourmet – The Flavor of Midtown" at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Dishes and beverages from more than 30 Midtown Manhattan restaurants. Tickets: $75. Details and purchase tickets online.

Friday, May 8

• Russian Nobility Association: "Russian Nobility Ball" at the Pierre Hotel. Details to follow.

  ---

• French-American Aid for Children for the benefit of six children's charities in France and the United States: "68th Annual Bal des Berceaux" at The Plaza, honoring Renaud Dutreil. Details from 212-486-9593.

  ---

• Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations: "Ambassadors' Ball 2009" at Cipriani 42nd Street. Honorees:  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Mrs. Ban Soon-taek. Live auction. Reception from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Dinner and dancing from 8:00 p.m. - midnight. Honorees: The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and Mrs. Ban Soon-Taek. Black Tie/National Dress. Details online.

Monday, May 11

• Freedom Institute: "Mona Mansell Award Dinner" to benefit the Institute’s Recovery Programs at The Pierre, featuring guest speaker Brooke Shields. Reception at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Details from 212-838-0044 or rachel.russell@freedominstitute.org .

Tuesday, May 12

• American Cancer Society: "'Celebration of Life' Spring Benefit" at the St. Regis Roof. Cocktails at 7:00 p.m. Dinner, Award Presentation and Special Musical Performance at 8:00 p.m. Honorees: US Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson and Figure Skating Legend, Scott Hamilton. Tickets: $600. Details from luis.valero@cancer.org or 212-237-3888.

Wednesday, May 13

• New York City Ballet: "Spring Gala." Details from 212-870-5585.

  ---

• The Nature Conservancy: "Preview Reception of “Design for a Living World”" a traveling exhibition featuring objects created by ten visionary designers and made from sustainable, natural materials. 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, 2 East 91st Street. Tickets: $250. Details from 212-957-9155 or SPerrin@TheEventOffice.com.

Thursday, May 14

• Cool Culture: "Spring Benefit 2009" honoring the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation. The Atrium at Pier 17, South Street Seaport. 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and specialty cocktails. Jazz. Silent Auction. Co-chairs: Cheryl Pahaham and Ahmed Yearwood. Cool Culture helps give underprivileged children and families access to New York City museums and cultural institutions that they could not otherwise afford. Tickets: $150. Details from 718-230-4186, ext. 304, jmagsaysay@cool-culture.org, or purchase tickets online.

  ---

• The Jackson Gabriel Silver Fund established at the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America: "An Evening to Benefit 'Butterfly Children'" at the Core Club, 66 East 55th Street. Cocktails and tasty bites. 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Epidermolysis Bullosa is a painful, and often life threatening, rare, genetic disease that causes the skin to be so fragile that the slightest friction can cause severe blistering -- inside and outside the body. Children born with EB are often called "butterfly children" because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wings. Details and purchase tickets online.

Tuesday, May 19

• Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: "Gala Benefit" celebrating its return to Alice Tully Hall and honoring James D. Wolfensohn. Details from 212-875-5216.

  ---

• Queens Theatre in the Park: "2009 Gala" 6:00 p.m.: Cocktail Party and Light Supper. 7:15 p.m.: Awards Ceremony and Night of Broadway Stars performance. 8:30 p.m.: Dessert Extravaganza. Details and purchase tickets online.

Wednesday, May 20

• Wildlife Conservation Society: "Explorers’ Party" annual family benefit that celebrates education, wildlife, and the fun of learning. Central Park Zoo. Co-Chairs: Kelly Mallon and Annette Younger. Picnic buffet dinner from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tickets: Tickets: $150 for adults/$85 for children. Details from 718-741-1639 or mkahn@wcs.org.

  ---

• Share Our Strength: "Taste of the Nation NYC 2009" an evening of tasting and toasting to support the fight against childhood hunger, at Roseland Ballroom. 7:30 p.m. (VIP Reception begins at 6:30 p.m.). Signature dishes and desserts from more than 50 New York restaurants and a selection of wines and creative cocktails. Business Attire. Tickets: $275 ($375 for VIP). Details and purchase tickets online.

Thursday, May 21

• Truth Foundation: "One for Jasmina" at a townhome in New York. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets: $125. Details and purchase tickets online.

Tuesday, May 26

• Museum of Modern Art: "Party in the Garden." Cocktails at 7:00 p.m. Supper at 8:00 p.m. After-Party from nine to midnight. Tickets $1,000. Details from specialevents@moma.org or purchase tickets online.

Saturday, May 30

• American Friends of Sentebale: "Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic" on Governors Island. Noon. Tickets: $500 per couple. Details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, May 30 - Sunday, May 31

• Charity Network of New York City for the benefit of Small Charities Focused on Children's Needs: "Ivy Cup Charity Polo Match" in Greenwich, CT. On Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m.: The Ivy Cup Welcome Party Hillcrest Estate, Greenwich, CT. On Sunday, May 31 at 1:45 p.m.: Polo Match followed by Buffet Lunch and Awards Ceremony. Transportation will be provided. Tickets: Ivy Cup Party, $100; Ivy Cup Polo Match, $185; Both Party and Polo Match, $225. Details and purchase tickets online.

Thursday, May 7

• Operation Smile: "The Smile Event 2009" at Cipriani Wall Street. VIP dinner with live auction. 7:00 p.m. Dessert and dancing after the event. Black Tie. Details from 888-677-6453.

  ---

• Diabetes Research Institute Foundation: "D.R.E.a.M.S. in the City" at Capitale, honoring women's fashion designer Naeem Khan. 6:30 p.m. Emcee: actor Richard Kind. Music. Food. Cocktails. Co-Chairs: Samantha Shanken Baker, Elizabeth Beskin, Bonnie Inserra and Risa Pulver. Cocktail Attire. Tickets: $200 (for junior guests under 35). Details from dreams@drif.org or purchase tickets online.

Saturday, May 9

• Orphans International: "Elvis Pub Crawl" in Greenwich Village. 5:00 p.m. Dress like Elvis, drink some beer, and help raise funds. Details online.

Tuesday, May 12

• Animal Care: "Spring Fling" at Ciao Bella, 1640 Second Avenue. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Food, drink, live music, a raffle and silent auction. Animal Care serves as the New York City Animal Shelter system. Proceeds will be used to nurture and enhance the care of sheltered animals. Tickets: $50. Details from 917-217-0571 or purchase tickets online.

  ---

• Art Start Youth: "Benefit Screening" of the Sundance Channel's new film, "The Hip Hop Project," by Executive Producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The New York Academy of Film, 100 East 17th Street. Tickets: $50. Details and purchase tickets online.

Wednesday, May 13

• For the benefit of Fertile Hope: "Save the Eggs Benefit Cocktails 2009 " at the William Club, 24 East 39th Street. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Champagne and passed hors d'oeuvres will be served. Deluxe gift bags provided. Tickets: $80. Payments payable through PayPal. Details from 212-242-6798.

Thursday, May 14

• Brooklyn Public Library: "Brooklyn Vanguard: Party With A Cause" at Franklin Park Bar and Beer Garden, Brooklyn. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. DJ Cosmo Baker. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer. Specialty drinks are $5. (Bar is cash only.) The Brooklyn Vanguard is the Brooklyn Public Library's young donor group. Proceeds will help purchase books and DVDs, and support educational programs at Clinton Hill Library. Tickets: $40 (in advance; $50 at the door, cash only). Details from 718-230-2465 or purchase tickets online.

  ---

• USO: "Red, White & Navy – USO Fleet Week Benefit" at Battery Gardens Restaurant (inside Battery Park, opposite 17 State Street, next to Staten Island Ferry). 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Dinner, dancing and open bar. Tickets: $150 ($135 before May 2). Details from 212-695-5590, ext. 228 or choepker@usonyc.org, or purchase tickets online.

  ---

• Groundwork: "Annual Spring Fling" at Strata, 915 Broadway (at 21st Street). 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cocktail Party. Open bar. Hors d’oeuvres. Music. Silent Auction. Festive Attire. Tickets: $75 ($90 at the door). Details and purchase tickets online.

Tuesday, May 26

• Museum of Modern Art: "Party in the Garden--After-Party." 9:00 p.m. - midnight. Tickets $100 ($150 at the door). Details from specialevents@moma.org or purchase tickets online.

Although we endeavor to maintain the accuracy of the listings, locations, prices and times should always be confirmed with the sponsoring organization.

Master Calendar of Charity Benefits, Parties & Events in New York

E-mail all inquiries to: randallstempler@charitybenefits.com