Opera buffs can revel in feasts for the senses at two June events: the Cincinnati Opera's 81st season opening night gala and the Sorg Opera Co. of Middletown's “Reach for the Stars” benefit.

        • Inspired by the Cincinnati Opera's opening night performance of Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly, the Cincinnati Opera Guild will stage “Metamorphosis of Madame Butterfly,” a prelude party with an Asian theme. The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. reception June 21 in the foyer of Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine.

        Lured by scents of the Orient, guests will progress to the Music Hall Ballroom where interior designer Patrick Korb, Scott Atkinson of Ivy on the Park and event chairman Mark Kallick will create an Eastern fantasy with Asian artifacts, chains of jewel-colored lanterns, wall hangings of silver fans draped with colored silks and a Zen rock garden circling pond.

        Accompanied by pianist Bruce Bowden, guests will dine on tenderloin teriyaki and fruit with Japanese sweets from China Gourmet at tables set with branches of black bamboo, rocks and tiny pools.

        At 8 p.m., a brass quartet will herald the beginning of Madame Butterfly,featuring Chen Sue, Marcus Haddock and Zheng Cao.

        Cost: $100, $125 patron. Opera tickets sold separately. Reservations: 744-3207. Deadline: June 18.

        • Sorg Opera of Middletown patrons will ""Reach for the Stars” at a gala beginning with a 6:30 p.m. reception June 23 at the Shaker Run Club House, 4361 Greentree Road, Lebanon.

        Under a galaxy of twinkling stars, guests will dine at tables set with blooms and gold stars from Flowers by Rodger.

        Highlights: dancing to the music of Finale, silent auction and live auction called by Dr. Walter Roehll.

        Co-chairs are Bill and Raetta Teager.

        Cost: $65. Reservations: (513) 425-0180. Deadline: June 18.

        In its 12th season, the Sorg Opera is a professional company that presents grand opera, operettas, comic operas and musicals.

        High tea: Women of the 20th Century Club of Blanchester will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club's founding at high tea 4 p.m., Thursday at the Cincinnatian Hotel, downtown.

        Members and their guests will savor fingersandwiches and sweet dainties and listen to a recounting of the group's history.

        The club was founded to provide informative programs for members who were primarily homemakers and community volunteers. Today, members are community volunteers who are homemakers and career women. Each year, the club awards a scholarship to a graduating senior girl at Blanchester High School.

        Georgia Peck is club president.

        Safety parade: Families can march behind Channel 12 news anchor Paula Toti in a glow-in-the-dark parade at Light the Night for Sight, the Southwest Ohio chapter of Prevent Blindness Ohio's fourth annual ramble, 6 p.m. Friday at Coney Island. The event will promote a safe celebration of the Fourth of July.

        At 7 p.m., participants in night-brightening gear will walk half-mile to 3-mile routes.

        Highlights: Day pass to Coney Island, cold drinks and snacks, the Cincinnati Fire Division's new mascot, performances by a balloon artist clown, goody bags, raffle drawings and a warm-up with Jazzercise instructor Coleen Vogelgesang. Children can learn safe method's of exiting a burning house during a Smoke House demonstration.

        Minimum pledge: $30, $75 (includes one ticket to July 4 Cincinnati Reds games) $100 (includes two tickets to July 4 Reds game and event T-shirt). Registration required. event. Parking: $2. Information: 531-9001.

        Art Museum: A royal dowry worth of art objects will displayed at Treasures for a Queen: A Millennium Gift to Cincinnati next Sunday to Sept. 2 at the Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park.

        Designated as “gifts, promised gifts or promised bequests” given in honor of the new century, the collection will feature art from corporate and private collectors with ties to the museum and the community.

        A gala will preview the exhibition 6:30 p.m. Thursday. While harpist Holly Pratt plays, patrons will rendezvous under the new Dale Chihuly chandelier in the museum's Great Hall. Dinner from Elegant Fare will be enhanced with flowers from E. Stephen Heins of Lexington.

        Preview gala cost: $250. Reservations: 639-2967. Deadline: Tuesday.

        E-mail mberkman@enquirer.com

Rating the rides at Kings Island
As prices fall, DVD players come of age
DVD information online
Big cats to appear at Playhouse
DEMALINE: Love of stage brought Selznick to Cincinnati
Shakespeare Festival strikes with 'Lightning'
DAUGHERTY: 'Guardian angels' opened hearts to girl
Student shoots for fine arts career
'Champ' parents share their tips
Collector tracks love of model trains to dad
Department head search on at CCM
Get to It
KENDRICK: Garage Players deserve applause
'NSync struts on superstage
Standing ovations for soloist, CSO
'Butterfly' party to have Asian theme
Main St. eateries want summer to be special
MARTIN: Caution is key ingredient in outdoor cooking
Puttin' on the Fritz
American craft beers hold strong