Winter 2007 | Posh Happenings

1. Chicago
Champagne Wrapture
December 12
Toasting the holidays takes on a creative air at Champagne Wrapture, the sixth annual glam auction to benefit the AIDS service agency Chicago House. Sip bubbly in the stylish downtown James Hotel and bid on bottles of Veuve Clicquot customized by local designers and signed by celebrities such as Bette Midler, Amy Sedaris, and the cast of Will & Grace.
The Chicago House -- www.chicagohouse.org

2. Palm Springs, Calif.
PSIFF Awards Gala, January 5
Choose from an extended slate of LGBT films among the more than 200 entries in the 19the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, and then come out of the dark for the star-studded Black Tie Awards Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Seen on the red carpet at last year's elegant soiree: honorees Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, and Brad Pitt.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival -- www.psfilmfest.org

3. Vienna
Rainbow Ball Vienna
January 26
More than 100 elaborate balls dot Vienna's calendar from December to February, inspiring the launch of the Regenbogen Ball (Rainbow Ball) in 1998. Sponsored by Austrian gay group HOSI and held in the regal Parkhotel Schonbrunn, a former guesthouse of Emperor Franz Josef I built in 1907, the highly formal event features ballroom dancing, a disco, and live musical performances.
The Regenbogen Ball -- www.regenbogenball.at

4. Sacramento
An Evening With Oscar
February 24
Watch the 80th Academy Awards in style, courtesy of the Capital City AIDS Fund's dazzling annual benefit for local HIV/AIDS service agencies. Sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the lavish dinner and viewing party in the Hyatt Regency Sacramento ballroom includes the official program given to celebrities attending the Oscars in Los Angeles.
The Capital City AIDS Fund -- www.capcityaidsfund.org

5. New York City
HRC Greater New York Gala Dinner
February 23
Rub elbows with philanthropic movers and shakers at the Human Rights Campaign's sophisticated annual gala, held at the Hilton New York in midtown Manhattan. This black-tie affair has raised several million dollars to support LGBT equality since its 2002 inception and attracted notable guests such as Hillary Clinton, Cyndi Lauper, and filmmaker Ang Lee.
The Human Rights Campaign -- www.hrc.org

6. Rio De Janeiro
Gay Costume Ball February 5
Strut into the vast Scala nightclub among a gaggle of paparazzi and partygoers in glitzy attire for the legendary gay costume ball, one of the grandest indoor events of Rio's Carnival season. The exotic party is broadcast throughout Brazil, but 200 Brazilian reals (about $100) will buy a VIP box seat for prime people-watching.
The Rio Carnival Guide -- www.rio -- carnival.net