Who: Local celebs, music lovers, and friends of Open Arms of Minnesota
What:The Butterball Party 2011
Where: Graves 601 Hotel
When: Nov. 19, 2011
Why: To support Open Arms of Minnesota, an organization that provides meals to people with life-threatening diseases

Butterball, one of the best parties in the Twin Cities, only happens every other year. I was thrilled to score a ticket to this event. As I made my way into the Graves, I saw Twin Citians dressed to impress, from men in flashy jackets to women in sleek dresses and fur. The snow and ice outside didn’t stop ladies from wearing sky-high heels, either. Partygoers sipped Opulent Vodka cocktails while go-go dancers and stilt walkers paraded around the room.

Who: Vikings players and their families, football followers, and NFL bigwigs
What: The Minnesota Vikings Taste of the NFL event
Where: Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
When: Monday, October 4
Why: Who wouldn’t want to munch on a delicious dinner, served by a studly Viking, all in support of a good cause?

I am a Green Bay Packers fan. I always have, and I always will be. I never thought the Minnesota Vikings could impress me—but I was wrong. On Monday night I headed to the Vikings Taste of the NFL event at the Mall of America. The event, which partnered with Second Harvest Heartland, benefited the efforts of the Viking’s Children’s Fun Summer Lunch Program, which provides meals to children in need. I entered the event ready to mix and mingle with my enemies, and I left with a newfound appreciation for some major do-gooders in the community.

Who: Rock stars, both on and off the stage
What: Hope Rocks
Where: Epic Event Center
When: Saturday, September 25, 2010
Why: A benefit for Faith’s Lodge, a retreat center for families facing a child's serious illness or the loss of a child

Rocker chic was the dress code and hope was the attitude at Hope Rocks, an event that creator Mark Lacek calls “The Twin Cities version of the Grammy’s.” The evening included a private concert by Everclear, open bar, snacks galore, and a live auction Saturday night at Epic. Hope Rocks raises funds and the profile of Faith’s Lodge, Mark and Susan Lacek’s retreat center for parents who have lost a child—like they did—or have one with a serious illness.

Who: Head coaches, Golden Gopher committee members, and U of M friends ready to support student-athlete scholarships 

What: The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Fund’s Annual Wine Dinner
When: Monday, September 20 

Where: Calhoun Beach Club
Why: We love sports, so we wanted to rub shoulders with big-time supporters of student athletes

It’s hard not to love the Gophers. Everything about each maroon and gold team screams quintessential colleges sports. Students rally around the players, while Goldy leads cheers and chants that encourage each squad toward victory. Ask any Gopher athlete, and they’ll likely say the best thing about playing for the U of M is the fans. The steadfast support that Minnesotans shower over student athletes is infinite. And this Monday evening was no exception.

What: 2010 Ivey Awards and VIP party
Where: State Theatre
When: September 20, 2010
Why: Honor the Twin Cities amazing theater community, especially this year’s top performers, playwrights, set designers, sound editors, lighting technicians, and everyone else who helps make a performance great.
Who: Those involved in the Twin Cities theater community and those who simply enjoy a night out (or ten) at the theater. Needless to say the State was packed.

This is what I hate about the Iveys: Each year, as I watch awards go to amazing actors, set designers, directors, playwrights, et al, I kick myself for missing that particular production. How did I miss Live Action Set’s The Happy Show? What was I doing that one night it ran at some theater I have never heard of? What I love about the Iveys: Everything else.

Who: Socialites, style setters, media mavens, restaurateurs, and other TC notables
What: Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2010
Where: Orpheum Theatre and Macy’s Minneapolis Eighth Floor
When: August 6, 2010
Why: To raise funds for Children’s Cancer Research Fund and to raise the bar on Twin Cities fashion

Twin Cities fashionistas made their annual pilgrimage to the Orpheum to show off their style, soak up fall looks, and celebrate fashion at Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2010.

Who: Foodists meet the art elite
What: CuisineArt 2010
Where: The Walker Art Center
When: Friday, May 21, 2010
Why: To party with fusion chef extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck and raise funds for the Walker’s programs

“The only thing you are missing is a room so you can have sex,” said chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck.

For clarification, he was referring to the Walker Art Center during his introduction to the crowd at CuisineArt 2010, after he rattled off all the other wonderful things you can do at the world renown museum, like taking a class, seeing an exhibit, or eating at 20.21.

Who: The who’s who of the Twin Cities home design industry
What: ASID Showcase Hometour Gala
Where: A progressive party starting at Dan Buettner’s comfy Lake of the Isles home and ending at a glam Edgewater spec condo overlooking Lake Calhoun
When: Friday, May 14, 2010
Why: To kick off the tour—the ASID Showcase Hometour!

When we arrived at 2691 E. Lake of the Isles Parkway for the ASID Showcase Hometour Gala, it was packed! We literally rubbed elbows with legends and luminaries of the local home design industry as we made our way up author and explorer Dan Buettner’s stairs to check out his refashioned home on tour.