— Mona L. Bronson-Fuqua

Wednesday

A Day with Dale's Racing Team, for Health Foundation Fund. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Kentucky Speedway, Ky. 35 North, Sparta. $800. Reservations required. 929-4263 or www.adaywithdale.com.

Friday

Dinsmore Gala and Auction, for Dinsmore Homestead. 6:30 p.m., Richwood Manor, 1067 Richwood Road, Richwood. $60. Reservation required. (859) 586-6117.

The Wine Opener, for the Greater Cincinnati Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Pendleton Art Gallery, 1310 Pendleton St., Over-the-Rhine. $50. 533-9300, Ext. 13.

Aug. 11

Groovin' at the Grove, concert for FamiliesFORWARD featuring John Waite, Soul Pocket and Tocka. 8:15 p.m., Coconut Grove, 18 E. Fifth St., Newport. $35 reserved seats, $25 at the door. 562-4949 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Aug. 14

Antique Appraisal Fair & Auction, for ROSAS (Rescue Our Shelter Animals & Strays), 12:30 p.m., Gator's Auction House, 52R Carothers Road, Newport. (859) 694-7672 or (859) 291-1048.

Gala of International Ballet Stars, for ballet tech ohio. 8 p.m., Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., downtown. $35, $45, $55 for performance, $25 black-tie reception following the performance. 621-2787.

Aug. 20

Abracadabra, gala kick-off of magic extravaganza fund-raiser running Aug. 19-22 for Playhouse in the Park. Performance begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Playhouse. $150-$250. Reservations required. 345-2242.

Emanuel Community Center Fund-raiser, an evening of award-winning art and music ,7-10 p.m., Banker's Club, 511 Walnut St., Suite 3000, downtown. Reservations required. 241-2563.

Aug. 21

Come to the Garden of the August Moon, benefit for Caracole Inc. 6:30 p.m., the Phoenix, 812 Race St., downtown. $150. Reservations required by Friday. 761-1480.

Aug. 27

Wine & Rhinestones Gala, for Memorial Inc. 8 p.m.-midnight, Coconut Grove, 18 E. Fifth St., Newport. $55 per person, $100 per couple in advance. $60, $105 at the door. 621-3032, Ext. 2117.

Aug. 28

Crown Jewels of Jazz, concert and gala for Books Alive!, Fore Kids and INSTEP. 5:30 p.m., Music Hall Ballroom, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $150. Reservation deadline Aug. 16.

Rockin' Lobster Party, 6 p.m. The Children's Home, 5050 Madison Road, Madisonville. Reservations required by Aug. 13. $75, $150 per couple. 272-2800.

Aug. 29

An Evening of Retail Therapy, for Pink Ribbon Girls, the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and the Sisters Network. $10. Reservations preferred. E-mail bcacincy@yahoo.com, 942-1805 or 207-7975.

Sept. 21

Tuesday at the Taft with Annie Ruth, for Lighthouse Help Me Grow Program. 11 a.m., Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., downtown. $45, $60 patrons. Reservations required. 487-7109.