Open Bar

Yahoo! It's back-to-school time - a cause for celebration for lots of pooped parents. Three long months of trying to keep the kids entertained has finally come to an end. Now, it's the grown-ups' turn to kick up their heels. Next week, the fall party season shifts into high gear - with countless causes and celebrations to choose from. Dress up. Dress down. Watch a show. Put on a show. From refined to funky affairs, the choice is yours. Sept. 4 "Baltimore Ravens' 3rd Annual Kickoff Luncheon."

Stillwater Artisanal Ales is opening its own bar in Brewer's Hill this year, and it isn't just lending its name to the effort. To be called Of Love & Regret, the bar is a creative and business collaboration between Stillwater founder Brian Strumke and Ted Stelzenmuller, chef and co-owner of restaurant Jack's Bistro in Canton. Its opening underscores the success the Baltimore microbrewer has had in the past two years. Strumke said he expects production of Stillwater beers to double to 5,000 barrels in 2012.

The month of March may - as the saying goes - come in like a lion, and go out like a lamb. However - if we're talking parties - this April resembles an animal more along the lines of the Tasmanian Devil.You know, that whirling-dervish cartoon character? The spring party season comes on like gangbusters this month, and it stays strong through June, as many charities throw their annual fund-raisers. So many parties to choose from. So little time! April 6 The Magic of Life Gala: Benefits LifeBridge Health pediatric programs.

This week's episode was not short on drama. And I don't know about you, but I was still traumatized by last week's stripper scene. Apparently when Phaedra feels bad about something she shows up with peace offer. Just like she brought Kim gifts, she stopped past Kandi's boutique with a cake. Such a Southern lady. They have a few laughs about the stripper's talent and perhaps he should be in Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum. Kandi makes light of the situation by asking Phaedra what she would do if she could please herself.

What are you doing New Year's Eve? There's still time to dust off your glad rags and plan an evening of dinner and dancing at one of the following hotels and catering halls. Don't wait to make reservations; at places serving seated dinners, the best time slots are sure to be taken early.Ashtin Golt will be banging out Top 40 hits at Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn. The gala runs from 9: 30 p.m. to 2: 30 a.m. Buffet, open bar, champagne toast and party favors. $65 for parties of 10 or more; $68 otherwise.

WHO KNEW Mother Nature had a job on the side - as a party planner? Just as all the spring flowers begin blossoming, shindigs start popping up in Baltimore and beyond. The spring party season is upon us - with as much variety in its fetes as there is in the flora. Just take a whiff of this April, May and June bouquet. April 14 "Cinderella Ball." Benefits the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland. Black tie preferred. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, dinner buffet, disc jockey, casino games.

Fall is almost here, which means the social season is in full swing. Here's a calendar of the main events in the months ahead. Our regular party coverage will resume next week. Sept. 7: "Crab Feast and Auction." Benefits Hospice Care at Stella Maris. Casual attire. Beer, cash bar, crab feast and pit beef buffet, casino-style games, DJ, dancing, Ravens game on big-screen TV. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road. 1 p.m. Tickets $40. Call 410-252-4500, Ext. 7268. Sept: 9: "Hairspray Opening Night Party."

Virginia Coalition D.C. rock group the Virginia Coalition plays Rams Head Tavern's New Year's Eve show at 10 p.m. Sunday (doors open at 9). Originally from Alexandria, the band is affectionately known as "VACO" by its fans. The $89.50 ticket price includes ticket, open bar and champagne toast. The show is expected to last well past midnight. Rams Head Tavern is at 33 West St. in Annapolis. Call 410-268-4545 or visit ramsheadtavern.com.

Still feeling buried by the winter doldrums after all that nasty snow we had? Well, it's time to start digging yourself out. It is April, after all. What better way to get into the swing of spring than by going to a party or two (or three or four)? We did a little party hunting for you and got the goods on nearly 60 bashes. All are benefits, so if you like supporting a charity, you're good to go. No need to wait for an invitation in the mail. Just take your pick, make a phone call and say, "Count me in!"

The last night of 2003 is fast approaching - and you still haven't made party plans to ring in the new year? Before you start feeling like a loser, check out LIVE's party guide and pick out a shindig that best suits your taste and budget. A number of clubs around town are offering catered balls and all-night blowouts, so stop making excuses and start rallying your friends. With so many choices, you'll be sure to find the perfect place for countdown smooches and first resolutions. CLUBS AND BARS Baja Beach Club 55 Market Place Time: Starts at 9 p.m. Cost: $50 in advance and $55 at the door Features: All-you-can-eat hot and cold buffet, top shelf open bar, party favors, champagne toast at midnight and breakfast Entertainment: DJ Jake Miller will spin a variety of dance hits.

It's not just the end of the year, it's the end of the decade. Tonight, New Year's Eve revelers across Baltimore will kiss off 2009 and welcome 2010 with booming dance parties, hard-rocking live bands and the dull click of plastic champagne glasses. Though there is less than a day left in the year, it's still not too late to join the fun. This year, it's easier than ever to save money on New Year's Eve celebrations. Sonar is hosting a free dance party with live music and DJs and an optional open bar that costs only $20. Tickets to see three solid local rock bands at the Ottobar are a mere $13 each, $20 for couples.

Themed sweaters and eggnog have run their course this holiday season. It's time to welcome in the new year. Break out your party hat and festive attire -- Baltimore has plenty of events for singles, couples and families who are getting a late start on planning their New Year's Eve celebrations. Here's a sampling: Bars, clubs and parties Enjoy an eclectic mix of live musical performances by Big in Japan, All Mighty Senators, Technicolour Brother, Lucid, DJ Impulse, Remix Renegades and Turnstyle Soundsystem.

Virginia Coalition D.C. rock group the Virginia Coalition plays Rams Head Tavern's New Year's Eve show at 10 p.m. Sunday (doors open at 9). Originally from Alexandria, the band is affectionately known as "VACO" by its fans. The $89.50 ticket price includes ticket, open bar and champagne toast. The show is expected to last well past midnight. Rams Head Tavern is at 33 West St. in Annapolis. Call 410-268-4545 or visit ramsheadtavern.com.

Put on your party hat and get ready to blow that noisemaker. There's lots to do in and around the city this New Year's Eve. Here are some of the bars, clubs and other venues offering festive events for singles, couples and families who haven't yet made end-of-the-year plans: Bars and clubs Local jazz funksters Written Prisms open for jammers the Bridge at the 8x10. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the music goes "as late as it takes," according to co-owner Brian Shupe. Tickets are $39 in advance and $49 at the door.

The benefit for TurnAround Inc. certainly lived up to its name, "Bling! Style like a Rock Star." First, there was the hip, oh-so-clubby atmosphere of Club Ten Ultra Lounge: groupings of cushy sofas around sleek coffee tables, dramatic lighting, and the throb of the club music. There were the oh-so-chic guests, clustered around the glowing glass bar, sipping champagne and martinis. And then there were the clothes. Outfits included baby Ts atop skinny jeans tucked into high boots, filmy tunics floating over rhinestone-embellished pants, bohemian layered skirts, low low cut dresses, and lots of tops with cutout backs.

Baltimore's winter party season will resume in earnest later this month, with galas benefiting the visual arts and the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Preventive Cardiology Center. Among the highlights are: Jan. 21 / / "10th Anniversary Grand Gala: Everything's Coming Up Roses." Benefits American Visionary Art Museum. Host Rosie O'Donnell, grand honoree Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, dinner buffet, surprise entertainment. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. 6 p.m. Tickets $500, $1,000 including 5 p.m. VIP reception and museum tour with O'Donnell.

Twenty windows took center stage at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel for the 7th annual Habitat Harvest gala. Each window, salvaged from vacant, rundown Baltimore houses being renovated by Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, was reworked into a piece of art by a Maryland artist. Now it was being auctioned off to raise money for Habitat. "Two nonprofit organizations partnering for one great cause," commented Pamela Wilson, executive director of the Maryland Federation of Art, which oversaw the project.

BORROWING FROM the opening phrases of a holiday song: "Christmas past is past." A cause for great rejoicing. The frenzy is over for another 365 days. Of course, you would never know from the masses of shoppers attacking the malls today.Around our house, the biggest holiday headache doesn't involve shopping, presents, parties or anything remotely connected with the holiday. It's trying to find where we stuffed the junk.Every household has a certain amount of clutter, but in a family of pack rats, there is no hope.

Ahhh. Jan. 1, 2006. Sure feels great to kick back and relax, without another holiday function in sight, doesn't it? But give yourself a few days. Next thing you know, the walls are closing in on you, and it feels like winter will never end! You find yourself getting nostalgic for those holiday parties. Spring - and all the shindigs it brings - seems so far away. Not to worry. There's a heap of events around Baltimore in the next couple of months. Plenty of things to do, people to see, and causes to help - to help you warm both body and soul.

With mere days left in 2005, there are still plenty of party options in the city for the unprepared. Here's our list of the highlights, which includes extravagant evenings, open bars and concerts, and fireworks, of course. The 13th Floor The club holds a tropical-themed party with Latin act Mambo Combo and reggae artist Danny Dread. The celebration starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $100 and include an open bar, buffet, party favors and champagne. The 13th Floor is at the Belvedere, 1 E. Chase St. Call 410-347-0888 or visit www.the13th-floor.