Social Calendar
Christmas Tree Elegance 2012 - 30th annual fundraiser to benefit Spokane Symphony. View and purchase raffle tickets for 12 trees at the Davenport Hotel on the mezzanine until Dec. 8 and another six trees at River Park Square (808 W. Main Ave.) on the second floor corridor. Today, 7 p.m., “An Evening with Eckart and Friends,” Isabella Ballroom, $20/general admission at the door. Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Hat Luncheon, sponsored by the Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 789-6808; $25/person. Featuring music on Tuesday by Whitman Elementary Zingmarimba Band and Chorus. Thursday, Christmas Tree Elegance Strolling Fashion Show and Lunch, with fashions from Apricot Lane, Chico’s, Fringe, Old Navy, Swank, Berg’s Shoes, in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required at (509) 458-TREE, $50/person. Saturday, 9:30 p.m., winning ticket drawings for hotel trees in hotel lobby; winners notified that evening. Dec. 9, 4 p.m., winning ticket drawings for mall trees at River Park Square, winners notified that afternoon. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Raffle tickets are $1 each. (509) 458-TREE (8733).
Santa Express – Runs through Dec. 23. With the help of Santa’s elves (volunteers), young shoppers ages 4-12 choose inexpensive gifts priced from 50 cents to $8 for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it’s ready to go under the tree. Vanessa’s Village, located in the entry of Santa Express, welcomes shoppers of all ages. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a shelter for children who are at risk of neglect or abuse. Open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Downtown on the skywalk level of Crescent building, 707 W. Main Ave. (509) 448-2900.
Plaza Christmas Ball - Music by MasterClass Jazz Orchestra Big Band. Dance lesson at 7 p.m.; dancing from 7:30-10 p.m. Formal or vintage attire. Today, Skate Plaza, 5685 N. Pioneer Drive, Coeur d’Alene. $15/advance, $18/door. (208) 661-0262.
Winter “CARDnival” and Auction - Presented by North Idaho College Booster Club. Social hour at 5:30 p.m. with games and the start of the silent auction; dinner starts at 6:30, followed by the start of the live auction at 7:30. Call for reservations. Thursday, Best Western Coeur d’Alene, 506 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $30/person, $225/table of eight. (208) 769-3348.
14th Annual Christmas Breakfast and Fundraiser - Benefits Northeast Spokane Kiwanis and Camps for Kids. Registration at 6:30 a.m., program begins at 7 with a talk by Marty Gonzales, director of operations for Mobius Kids Children’s Museum and Mobius Science Center. Great auction items. For tickets, email camps@spokanekiwanis.com. Friday, Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $30/person, $300/table of eight. (509) 838-8511.
Liberty Lake Holiday Ball - 14th annual event. Champagne reception, three-course dinner, silent and live auctions, and live music with dancing. The event is the sole fundraiser for Friends of Pavillion Park, a nonprofit group that sponsors a free summer concert series, movies in the park, scholarships, an annual fun run, the Labor Day weekend Spokane Symphony concert and more recently Shakespeare in the Park. Saturday, 5 p.m., the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $100/person. (509) 475-5674.
2012 Festival of Trees “A Jazzy Christmas” - Volunteers for the Fry Healthcare Foundation transform the Boundary County Fairgrounds into the Festival of Trees. Inside of the Exhibit Hall thousands of sparkling lights flicker, illuminating the stars of the evening. The event raises money for worthy projects including the purchase of new equipment for Boundary Community Hospital. Family Night is Friday and the Gala Night is Saturday. 5 p.m., Boundary County Fairgrounds, Bonners Ferry. $35/advance, $40/door. (208) 267-3141, ext. 4324.
Ferris High School Band Swing Dance and Auction - An evening of silent and oral auctions, and dancing to benefit the Joel E. Ferris High School band program. Live music by the Jazz Orchestra, and swing dance lesson provided. Saturday, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Ferris High School, school Commons, 3020 E. 37th Ave. $10, includes dessert and beverage. (509) 230-4927.
“White Christmas”: A Benefit Performance - Celebrate the season and support the Northeast Community Center. Enjoy a reception with champagne, desserts and a silent auction. Purchase tickets online at www.necca.myspokane.net/ white_christmas.html or call (509) 487-1603. Dec. 12, 6 p.m., Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. $35.
Lilac Festival Benefit Concert - The concert will benefit the 75th Anniversary Spokane Lilac Festival and the new Spokane Valley Veterans center. Singers Jonathan Mancheni and Isabella Ivy will perform popular opera pieces, along with some classical and Christmas songs. Dec. 21, 8 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $27. (800) 325-SEAT.