Fairfield County Scene: Jan. 24

Music lovers from Fairfield and Westchester (N.Y.) counties packed the Performing Arts Center at Purchase (N.Y.) College in November for a performance by Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

Nearly 1,400 people attended the event, raising thousands of dollars for the Arts Center's programming and Arts-in-Education program.

Lang Lang drew a standing ovation from the audience with his interpretations of Beethoven's Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No.3 and Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57; Albeniz's Iberia, Book 1 and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, Op. 83.

Prior to the performance, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner in the upper lobby of Arts Center. Nearly 60 patrons and members of the board of trustees also attended a post-concert champagne and dessert reception with the 27-year-old Lang Lang, who captivated audiences when he performed during the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The concert was Lang's fourth performance at the Arts Center.

The Performing Arts Center's 32nd season is funded, in part, by the Basic Program Support Grant of Arts Westchester with funds from Westchester County Government. Major sponsorship for the 2009-10 season is also provided by Vivian Milstein through the SVM Foundation. Visit www.artscenter.org.

Blocks of Love

Fairfield County kids tested new toys and built and raced LEGO cars at the CancerCare for Kids Blocks of Love fundraiser in November.

Held at Roger Ludlowe High School in Farfield, the day-long event drew more than 1,000 visitors and raised thousands of dollars for CancerCare for Kids. A division of CancerCare, the program provides counseling, education, support groups and financial aid to kids affected by cancer.

Guests also enjoyed a holiday boutique with holiday candy, LEGO blocks and rare LEGO figures; and lunch and dessert.

Call 203-854-9911 or visit www.cancercare.org.

Save these dates

Golden Opportunity Event Exchange of gold jewelry for cash, with partial proceeds benefitting Person to Person. Tues. Helen Ainson, 1078 Post Road, Darien. 203-256-2320, rsvpconnections@yahoo.com.

Hard Hats on Pointe Wine and food tastings and a slideshow update of the construction and restoration of the Old Town Hall; to benefit the Ballet School of Stamford. Wed. Hotel Zero Degrees, 909 Washington Blvd., Stamford. 203-358-8853, renee@balletschoolofstamford.org.

Rollin' on the River The Roger Sprung Bluegrass Band, a silent auction, games, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dinner; to benefit GADC River House. Sat. 125 River Road Ext., Cos Cob. 203-622-0079, www.gadc.org.

Perfect Pairings: A Wine Tasting and Silent Auction To benefit SpinOdyssey 2010 Breast Cancer Research at Whittingham Cancer Center. Sat. Fat Cat, 9-11 Wall St., Norwalk. spin.odyssey@gmail.com, www.SpinOdyssey.org.

5th Annual Step Out Wine & Beer Tasting Wine, beer and tastings from Fairfield County restaurants to benefit Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Feb. 6. Mathews Park, 303 West Ave., Norwalk. 203-899-0606, ext. 245, steppingstones

museum.org/stepout.

Save the World -- One Child at a Time Concert, silent auction, guitar lessons and "How to Save the World" idea contest to benefit Harmony4Kidz. Feb. 6. Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave. 203-222-1424.

A Gershwin Valentine The Yew York All-Star Big Band performs the music of George Gershwin to benefit the Greenwich Choral Society. Feb. 14. Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave. 203-622-5136, www.greenwichchoralsociety.org or e-mail green

wich.choral@verizon.net.

11th Annual Hearts & Hammers Gala Auction and dinner to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. Feb. 27. Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich. 203-333-2642, ext. 104, development@habitatcfc.org.

6th Annual Alphabet Ball A masquerade-themed dinner dance and celebration featuring live music and silent and live auctions to benefit Childcare Learning Centers of Stamford. March 27. Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa, 243 Tresser Blvd. 203-323-5944, ext. 137.

Insights & Inspiration: Conversations with America's Leaders David Gergen, long-time presidential adviser and CNN political analyst, gives a talk to benefit Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut. April 6. Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich. 203-276-3015, insights@vnhcsw.org.

Bets for Pets Casino Night Games, magic, raffle, wine, dining and dancing to benefit Adopt-A-Dog. April 17. Coveleigh Club, 459 Styvesant Ave., Rye, N.Y. 203-637-7456, www.adopt-a-dog.org

Pet Tail Amateur Video Awards Film showing, awards presentation, food, drinks, silent auction and door prizes to benefit Outreach to Pets In Need and the Stamford Animal Care & Control shelter. April 22. Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St., Stamford. To enter the contest, visit www.OPINpets.org.

11th Annual Red Apple Awards Dinner Dinner, silent and live auctions and cocktail party to benefit the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. April 22. 10 N. Water St. 203-852-0700, ext. 2277.

Hoedown Goes Downtown Dinner, dancing to Tangled Vine and auction to benefit Kids in Crisis. May 8. The Loading Dock, 375 Fairfield Ave., Stamford. 203-327-KIDS, www.kidsincrisis.org.

Afternoon of Classic Jazz Featuring jazz pianist Junior Mance to benefit the Museum of Black World War II History. May 16. Congregation Agudath Shalom, 301 Strawberry Hill Ave., Stamford. 203-348-6810, mabeljorgensen@sbcglobal.net.