March 5. Sarasota Italian Cultural Brunch. Playwright Adriana Trigiani is the guest at this event at Prestancia Country Club. The group also plans an "Italian Memories" dinner March 15; for information on both, call 753-1197.

March 7. Tour of Kitchens. A fund-raiser kickoff for the annual Embracing our Differences exhibition coming up in April, featuring three-course dinners in three kitchens in the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton. 349-6166 or 376-5522.

March 9. Hats & Chukkers Tea & Fashion Show. To benefit All Children's Hospital Guild of Sarasota, at 11:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Ranch estate of John and Sandy Barry. Live entertainment, fashions by L. Boutique and Lotus. Tickets $100; call 915-8619.

March 10. Willy Wonka Chocolate Gala. A yummy weekend on behalf of United Cerebral Palsy offers this dinner and also includes a Chocolate Sundae tasting, March 12; for more details call 957-3599.

March 11. International Women's Day Luncheon. Sponsored by UNIFEM, at 11:30 a.m. at Michael's On East. 355-2809.

Celebration of Imagination Children's Art Auction. At 7:30 p.m. in the Temple Beth Sholom Social Hall; to benefit the Justin Lee Wiesner Early Childhood Learning Center & Goldie Feldman Academy. 552-2770.

Celebrate Longboat Key. The town's 40th birthday is the cause; for more info call the LBK Chamber of Commerce, 383-2466.

Wellness Community Flight of Hope. We're talking Sabado Gigante! for this year's event (Giant Saturday), starting at 6 p.m. at Dolphin Aviation and including cocktails, dinner, auctions and, of course, Latin music. For tickets ($175), call 921-5539.

Celebrity Waiters Dinner. To benefit Mental Health Community Centers; local celebs vie for the Tarnished Spoon award. At Village on the Isle in Venice; 496-4934.

March 13. Planned Parenthood 40th Anniversary. Another milestone to note, celebrated starting at 6 p.m. at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Call 365-3913 ext. 101.

March 17. Carrotcakes. Welcome to The Enchanted Forest at this magical evening to benefit Forty Carrots Family Center, 7 p.m. at the Hyatt. Dinner, dancing and auctions. Tickets start at $100; call 365-7716.

March 17. The New College Foundation and Crissy Galleries unite for a preview party on this date, followed by an auction and estate sale March 19. Items will be available for viewing from 11 a.m. that day at the Charles Ringling Mansion (College Hall) and on the bayfront grounds. 359-4686.

March 18. Butterfly Ball. Let your imagination run wild at G.WIZ's signature event, held at the hands-on children's museum. For ticket info call 309-4949 ext. 102.

March 18. Players of Sarasota 76th Season Gala. An evening of comedy is planned, at the PAL Sailor Circus arena. Tickets $50; call 365-2494.

Riley's Royal Gala. A black-tie gala for children (and their adults), to benefit the Life of Riley Foundation; at the Chelsea Center. Tickets $65 for children, $85 for grown-ups. 926-4769.

Miracle Fest 2006. A night focused on artists and authors, including auctions, dinner and entertainment, starting at 6 p.m. at Laurel Oak Country Club. To benefit Ave Maria Preparatory School, which assists children with special needs. 952-9394.

March 20. Women's Resource Center Renaissance Luncheon. Author Suzanne Braun Levine is keynote speaker; WFLA-TV's Gayle Sierens moderates. Starting at 11 a.m. at the Ritz-Carlton; call 366-1700.

CAN's All that Glitters. Dinner and a show to benefit Community AIDS Network, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Apple. Tickets $125; 366-0461.

March 24. SPARRCLE on the Beach. Dinner under tent, live music and dancing, silent and live auctions, to benefit Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. At 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club. Tickets $150; 346-2029.

March 25. An Evening at the Avant-Garde. It's La Vie Montmartre for this year's Ringling School of Art and Design celebration, which takes place on campus and welcomes costume wearers. For ticket info call 359-7589.

March 26. Sarasota Opera Spring Gala. A season-closing pre-concert dinner starts at 6 p.m.; call 366-8450 ext. 402 for complete details.

March 27. Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Luncheon. For details call 907-9344.

March 31. Sarasota Film Festival Opening Night Film and Party. Details were still being finalized at press time, but the movie will be screened at Van Wezel, followed by a party in the courtyard of the Ringling Museum. 364-9514.