One and only one event defines Austin this November: Formula One.
Not that Austin ever needs one. Street rambles, arena concerts, private affairs and club extravaganzas all figure into the city’s newest and shiniest cosmopolitan attraction.
A festival true to Austin’s roots returns to the social calendar this month. The music-mad Fun Fun Fun Fest (Nov. 2-4, Auditorium Shores) keeps getting better. Good news: Selective irrigation has brought back the turf on the main field. Remember the dust at the Austin Food and Wine Festival?
Although the gala heat dissipates in November, there are still plenty of reasons to dress up. One of our new faves: Black and White Gala for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Austin (Nov. 2, AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center).
Also fairly dressy are the Lone Stars and Angels party benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Nov. 8, Bullock Texas State History Museum) and Putting on the Ritz for Austin Children’s Shelter (Nov. 3, Hilton Austin).
Hungry? Sample Signature Chefs Auction for March of Dimes (Nov. 1, Austin Music Hall). At the chefs’ party, headed up by David Bull of Congress, you can bid on elaborate private dinners especially prepared for your chosen guests.
Thirsty? Try Big Reds and Bubbles for Wine and Food Foundation of Texas (Nov. 8, Driskill Hotel). Or try something new at the Whiskies of the World Expo (Nov. 2, Hyatt Regency).
The heady symphony, choral and ballet seasons are already under way. The opera portion of the high-arts series opens with Austin Lyric Opera’s “Pagliacci” (Nov. 10-18, Long Center).
Representing the region’s many pet charities this month, Barkanalia favors PAWS Shelter and Humane Society (Nov. 8, Camp Lucy).
Youngish donors get to bid on valued items — including one another as potential dates — at Citizen Generation’s CharityBash Live Auction (Nov. 9, Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center).
Give a hand to students in need via Help Clifford Help Kids for Austin YouthWorks (Nov. 8, ACL Live), named for the beloved late music promoter Clifford Antone.
Nature lovers will love Hill Country Nights for Hill Country Conservancy (Nov. 10, Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch). Keep Austin Beautiful plans an informal but lively Benefit Night (Nov. 13, Roll On Sushi).
First Tee of Greater Austin stages its matched More than a Party (Nov. 11, private home) and More than a Game celebrity golf tournament (Nov. 12, Barton Creek Resort & Spa).
Though the emergent holiday season will present endless chances to shop, none tops the Junior League’s charitable market — A Christmas Affair (Nov. 14-18, Palmer Events Center) for staying and giving power.