Sometimes, even you can’t charm your way in

OK, so we normally quest for the free: free swag, free food, free booze. But sometimes, even the craftiest and sneakiest and in-the-knowiest have to pay to play at the events with the best swag, food, booze … or maybe the feel-good feelings you get donating to a good cause give you the kind of juice you can’t get at the open bar. For those with some cash to spend, check these out (in chronological order, get your calendar out now):

Thursday October 15

You’ve got to know about La Dolce Vita, this city’s grandest display of debauchery for 20 years running. And I mean debauchery in the best way possible: miles and miles of food and wine.

$100 a person, or $120 for the cigar & scotch lounge add-on. They say they’ll sell out, but tix are still available as of Tuesday night here.

6-9pm, Laguna Gloria, 3809 35th Street

Sunday October 18

Dress Shop, the Congress Avenue retailer, and III Forks Steakhouse have teamed up to offer a perfect Gal’s Day Out in the form of a Fashion Brunch and Style Show from 11:30am-2pm. Guests will be greeted with a (bottomless) Morning Mimosa Happy Hour and an informal fashion show at noon, along with brunch (Eggs Benedict, crepes, fresh fruit) in a private dining room.  The fashion show will feature approximately 20 fall and holiday looks from Dress Shop.  Each guest will receive a gift card with a mystery amount to be redeemed at a Private Shopping After Party at Dress Shop following brunch–cards for up to $50!

$35 gets you brunch, a fashion show, bottomless mimosas, and champagne at Dress Shop after brunch. Call 512.236.0124 or email austinbanquets@iiiforks.com for your spot. Free parking is available on Sundays at the Austin City Hall Parking Garage just across from III Forks on Lavaca Street in Downtown Austin.

Wednesday October 21

Cathy Strange, Global Cheese Buyer for Whole Foods Market, will lead an educational presentation and tasting of raw-milk Presidia cheeses complemented by local honey from Round Rock Honey and a sampling of the hand-crafted beers of Austin’s (512) Brewing Company. Owner and brewer Kevin Brand will also speak.

At this first annual Slow Food Austin fundraiser, you will also enjoy an evening of live music, mingling and a silent auction featuring goods and services from local businesses who share the Slow Food philosophy. Get your tickets in advance to ensure a seat at the table in the beautiful Barr Mansion setting.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 | 6:30-8:30 pm, Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin, TX 78754
Tickets: $50 ($40 Slow Food members),
on sale now here.

Thursday October 22

Candlelight Ranch’s inaugural Dress by Candlelight benefit will bring together the city’s finest fashion, food, and drinks in celebration of the camp’s 10-year anniversary. Event sponsor Grey Goose will also spotlight the Grey Goose Candlelight Cosmopolitan as the evening’s signature cocktail.

Candlelight Ranch, a nonprofit organization founded by the Barr family in 1998, provides a therapeutic outdoor experience for children with special physical, mental, emotional or financial needs. The organization’s 100-acre camp is situated in the Hill Country on the shores of Lake Travis, offering an array of outdoor activities and the first universally accessible tree house in Texas.

Dress by Candlelight will feature a runway show showcasing men’s and women’s fashion from Saks Fifth Avenue, with music provided by DJ Chicken George. Exquisite food from some of Austin’s most notable culinary studios will also be served, including Cooking By Design’s Beth Pav, Eatstreet Personal Chef Service’s Pamela Nevarez-Fisher, and Primizie Catering.

Individual tickets are $50 each, with all proceeds benefiting Candlelight Ranch. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.candlelightranch.org.

7-10pm, Spazio, 1214 W. 6th St.

Saturday October 24

Slow Food Feast in the Field

Honestly, this is the event that sparked this whole post. I got an earnest email from a parent asking me to post on it, because the event supports the Austin Discover School (a tuition-free charter school serving children in grades K-5 with a pro-social approach to learning and an organic Junior Master Gardener® program). Anyway, you’ll enjoy an evening of fresh local food and wine served on the farm under twinkling stars while supporting this unique school.  Chef Jesse Bloom of Ecstatic Cuisine will be preparing a five course dinner paired with wines from Flat Creek Estates. Green Gate Farms is a small historic farm in East Austin.  Come explore the grounds, participate in the silent auction, and sit down to a slow feast, fresh from the field.

Tickets are $100 each, 7pm, Green Gate Farms, 8310 Canoga Avenue, Austin TX 78724

Click Here to Purchase Tickets or send a check to:
Austin Discovery School
8509 FM 969 Suite 200
Austin, TX  78724

Tickets may also be purchased at the front office of the school

… see, don’t you feel warm and fuzzy?