INVITE OF THE WEEK /

The Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction gala, Sonoma Samba, is a Brazilian-themed fundraiser featuring a wine and culinary reception created by top toques, a live auction and post-auction party that raises funds for this literacy and reading comprehension program presented by Kaiser Permanente for Sonoma County elementary schoolchildren. 12:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Chateau St. Jean, Kenwood. Tickets: $500. (800) 939-7666.

Archbishop Riordan High School

Lucky '13: A Labor of Love Alumni Revival is an evening of song, magic and memories starring Riordan alums and artists including actors Dan O'Connor and Dominic Nolfi, magician Greg Chin, soprano Kristin Clayton, baritone Curt Branom and pianist Jake Heggie. The gala commences with a cocktail buffet and silent auction in support of the school's drama department. 5 p.m. Sept. 2. Lindland Theater, ARHS campus, 175 Phelan Ave., S.F. Tickets: $100 and $250. (VIP gala tickets); $25 (preperformance reception only); $25 (performance only); $15 (ARHS alum only); $10 (ARHS current students only). (415) 587-5866.

San Francisco Symphony

Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas opens the symphony's 102nd season with a Jazz Age Celebration starring soprano Audra McDonald. The gala evening, led by chairwoman Gorretti Lo Lui, also features a preconcert cocktail reception and seated dinners followed by a postconcert party in the Tent Pavilion. 5 p.m. Sept. 3. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F. Tickets: $1,500-$10,000 (patrons' dinner and concert packages); $800-$475 Symphony Supper packages at City Hall); $650-$395 (Symphonix Dinner packages at City Hall); $160 and $295 (concert and post-party only). (415) 864-6000.

San Francisco Opera

Director David Gockley and the S.F. Opera Guild open the opera's 91st season with Opera Ball 2013: The Garden of Good & Evil. The gala evening features a performance of "Mephistopheles," which includes a pre-opera cocktail reception, seated dinners and post-opera party at City Hall. 5 p.m. Sept. 6. City Hall. $1,500-$50,000 (Patrons Opera Ball tickets and tables); $23-$385 (opera and post-party only). (415) 565-3204.

San Francisco Parks Alliance

The annual Party for the Parks is a bluegrass-themed fete featuring roping, riding and bluegrass music set in a tent filled with a Western-style McCall Associates cocktail buffet. Silent and live auctions raise funds for the city's parks, playgrounds and open spaces. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Bercut Equitation Field, off the Chain of the Lakes Drive, Golden Gate Park, S.F. Tickets: $250; $1,250-$10,000 (sponsor tickets and tables). (415) 621-3260, Ext. 108.

International Mental Health Research Organization/ Tug McGraw Foundation

Shari and Garen Staglin host a two-day festival. Saturday's highlights include a scientific symposium followed by a cult wine-tasting and hors d'oeuvres reception with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and chef Nai Kang Kuan of Morimoto Napa and a concert starring Allen Stone. An alfresco dinner, created by R'evolution chefs, concludes the evening. On Sunday, the Staglins host a wine and beer reception followed by a concert starring Tim McGraw. Sept. 7-8. Staglin Family Vineyard, Rutherford. Tickets: $750 (one-day pass); $6,000 (two-day pass). For more details and event times, call (707) 963-4038.

Napa Valley Hospice & Adult Day Services

Soiree au Moulin Rouge, a fundraising fete featuring a chef Michel Cornu dinner, includes a live auction and cabaret-style entertainment. It honors the philanthropic work of vintner Jean-Charles Boisset. 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Raymond Vineyards, 849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena. Tickets: $375. (707) 258-9080.

S.F. & Marin Food Bank

The One Big Table benefit features a four-star feast created by chef Tyler Florence and a team of 20 chefs to celebrate this organization's 26th year of feeding the hungry in San Francisco and Marin counties. The evening incudes a cocktail reception, seated dinner and live auction, all held in the organization's distribution warehouse. 6 p.m. Sept. 21. 900 Pennsylvania Ave., S.F. Tickets: $250; $500-$1,500 (sponsor tickets and tables). (415) 282-1907, Ext. 380.

For a list of upcoming benefits, go to www.sfgate.com/style. E-mail benefits invitations to missbigelow@sfgate.com.

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