It's nearly September. That means the fall colors will soon be seen in all their splendor. But we're not talking foliage here. These are the hues of satin, chiffon and taffeta outfits that will be floating and swishing through the throngs at a passel of fall parties.

This is the time of year when many Baltimore-area nonprofits throw their annual fund-raisers - a party season that goes strong through November. So check out the list below and make plans to join the festivities.

Sept. 8

"Crab Feast." Benefits Stella Maris. Casual attire. Beer, crabs, dinner buffet, Ravens game on giant TV screen, disc jockey. Exhibition Center, Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium. 1 p.m. Tickets $40 adults, $20 children ages 5-12, free for children under 5. Call 410-252-4500, Ext. 268.

Sept. 13

"Tea Time Tribute - Annual Meeting." Benefits the Mental Health Association of Maryland Inc. Business attire. Cash bar, teas, heavy hors d'oeuvres, live music. Camden Yards Warehouse, 333 W. Camden St. Tickets $50. Call 410-235-1178, Ext. 202.

"Vintage Affair Silent Auction." Benefits Voices for Children. Cocktail attire. Wine tasting, heavy hors d'oeuvres, live jazz. Elkridge Furnace Inn, 5745 Furnace Ave., Elkridge. 8 p.m. Tickets $50. Call 410-740-0933 or 410-379-9336.

Sept. 14

"3rd Annual Baltimore Bash." Benefits the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Casual attire. Beer, wine, barbecue buffet, live music, dancing, children's games/crafts, tours of Flag House and War of 1812 Museum. DeGroen's Grill/Brewer's Park, 104 Albemarle St., and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, 844 Pratt St. 4 p.m. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at door, $15 children ages 7-18, free for children under 7. Call 410-837-1793.

"Diva-Licious Concert/Reception." Benefits the Women's Housing Coalition. Casual/cocktail attire. Music/comedy performances by Ethel Ennis, Ruby Glover, Joyce Scott and Lea Gilmore, beer, wine, hors d'oeuvres, dessert buffet. Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $125, $65 concert only. Call 410-332-0033.

Sept. 17

"Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner." Benefits the Arthritis Foundation, Maryland Chapter. Business attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, mind-reading performer, live jazz, seated dinner, award presentation to honoree Art Modell. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St. 6 p.m. Tickets $200. Call 410-602-0160, Ext. 230.

Sept. 18

"Meet the Museum Night." Benefits the American Dime Museum. Wine, popcorn, corn dogs, fire-manipulation performance by the Astounding Louis, museum tour. American Dime Museum, 1808 Maryland Ave. 7 p.m. Free, donations encouraged. Call 410-230-0263.

Sept. 19

"18th Annual Decorator Show House Gala Preview Party." Benefits Historic Ellicott City Inc. Black tie optional. Wine, buffet dinner, live music, dancing, tour of show house. Cloverdale, 16398 Old Frederick Road, Mount Airy. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $70. Call 410-461-6908.

Sept. 20

"Maritime Magic 2002." Benefits the Living Classrooms Foundation. Casual attire. Beer, wine, cash bar, food stations, music by the rock band Little Feat, dancing. Living Classrooms Foundation East Harbor Campus, 802 S. Caroline St. 6 p.m. Tickets $80 in advance, $85 at door. Call 410-685-0295.

"Rescue Party - 10th Annual Harbor Gala." Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Black tie/tropical attire. Gilligan's Island theme, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, live music, dancing, casino-style games. Tide Point, 1040 Hull St. 7 p.m. Tickets $225. Call 410-771-9000.

Sept. 21

"OUT-rageous - 25th Anniversary Gala." Benefits the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans- gender Community Center of Baltimore. Cocktail/outrageous attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, disc jockey, dancing, illusionist act, pie-in-face game. Administration Building, Maryland Institute College of Art, 1300 Mount Royal Ave. 8 p.m. Tickets $95, $85 before Sept. 9. Call 410-837-5446.

"Black Tie and Tails - Dinner/Dance Gala." Benefits the Humane Society of Baltimore County. Black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated vegetarian dinner, live music, dancing. Guests may bring well-behaved animal companions. Sheraton North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. 7 p.m. Tickets $100. Call 410-833-2387.

"Great Gatsby Gala - 2002 Decorators' Show House Closing Event." Benefits the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Black-tie/1920s-themed attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, live music, dancing, final tour of show house. Rainbow Hill, 10729 Park Heights Ave., Owings Mills. 7 p.m. Tickets $125. Call 410-415-0477.

"Full Moon End-of-Summer Midnight Cruise." Benefits the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development. Casual attire. Cruise in Baltimore harbor, cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, disc jockey, dancing. Bay Lady cruise ship, boarding at 301 Light St. 11 p.m. Tickets $45. Call 410-355-4698.

Sept. 23

"Gala Awards Banquet." Benefits Arena Players. Black tie. Cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, disc jockey, tribute to two-time Tony Award nominee and Baltimore native Andre De Shields, musical performances. Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road, 7 p.m. Tickets $60. Call 410-728-6500.

Sept. 26

"2002 Charm City Awards Dinner." Benefits Women in Film & Video of Maryland Inc. Business/cocktail attire. Cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, awards presentation. Belvedere Hotel, 1 E. Chase St. 6 p.m. Tickets $55 Film & Video members, $60 nonmembers, $10 discount if purchased before Sept. 20. Call 410-685-3456.

"Awards Dinner." Benefits the Baltimore Incentive Awards Program. Business attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, keynote speech by Eddie Brown, Brown Capital Management president. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St. 6 p.m. Tickets $75. Call 301-405-4638.

Sept. 27

"Horsing Around With Industry - Annual Gala." Benefits the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Business/casual/Preakness attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, live music, video horse-racing games. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway. 7 p.m. Tickets $100. Call 410-727-4808, Ext. 133.

Oct. 3

"7th Annual Taste of WEB." Benefits Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore Inc. Business attire. Wine, beer, food stations, live jazz. Evergreen Carriage House, 4545 N. Charles St. 6 p.m. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at door. Call 410-727-4921.

Oct. 4

"The 2002 Celebration: A Festival of Achievement - Annual Gala." Benefits the National Federation of the Blind. Cocktail/casual attire. Wine tasting, cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, live music, dancing. Keynote speaker will be blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer. National Federation of the Blind headquarters, 1800 Johnson St. 6 p.m. Tickets $50. Call 410-659-9314, Ext. 357.

"High on Life: Transcending Addiction - Exhibition Preview Party." Benefits the American Visionary Art Museum. Casual/cocktail attire. Beer, hors d'oeuvres, live music, dancing, view of new exhibition. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. 7 p.m. Tickets $10. Call 410-244-1900.

Oct. 5

"A Hands-On Affair Comes Home." Benefits Baltimore Clayworks. Cocktail/artful attire. Open bar until 9 p.m., cash bar afterward, heavy hors d'oeuvres, hands-on clay activities, live music, dancing, magic and belly-dancing performances. Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave. 7 p.m. Tickets $100. Call 410-578-1919.

Oct. 6

"Retro Dance Party 2002 - Four Decades of Hope, One Night of Fun." Benefits Chase Brexton Health Services. Cocktail/vintage attire from the 1970s on. Beer, wine, cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, disc jockey, dancing. Historic Redwood Trust Citilounge and Dance Club, 200 E. Redwood St. 6 p.m. Tickets $55 in advance, $65 at door. Call 410-752-0954, Ext. 2232.

Oct. 7

"Red Dragon Benefit Screening & Party." Benefits Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery for Brain Tumor Research. Casual attire. Champagne, screening of the movie Red Dragon with star Edward Norton, popcorn, soda. Senator Theatre, 5904 York Road, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $100. Call 410-516-6234.

Oct. 10

"Art in the Round - Exhibit, Auction and Reception." Benefits the Arc of Baltimore. Cocktail/casual attire. View museum exhibits and 50 artworks by developmentally disabled artists. Beer, wine, hors d'oeuvres. The American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. 7 p.m. Tickets $20. Call 410-296-2272, Ext. 5311.

"2002 Antiques Show Gala Preview Party." Benefits the Maryland Historical Society. Business/cocktail attire. Preview of antiques show, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, live jazz. Rainbow Hill, 10729 Park Heights Ave., Owings Mills. 6 p.m. Tickets $125. Call 410-685-3750, Ext. 321.

Oct. 12

"Taste of the Chesapeake Gala." Benefits the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Black tie. Open bar, food stations, live music, dancing. B&O; Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. 7 p.m. Tickets $100. Call 410-377-6270.

"Where the Wild Things Were: The Walters Gala 2002." Benefits the Walters Art Museum. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, viewing of Art of the Ancient Americas exhibition, seated dinner, live music, dancing. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $350. Call 410-547-9000, Ext. 212.

"BreastFest 2002." Benefits the Breast Center at Mercy Medical Center. Casual attire. Beer, cash bar, buffet dinner, live music, games, dancing. The Gin Mill, 2300 Boston St. 3 p.m. Tickets $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Call 410-332-9728.

"Splash! 2002 - Disco Fever." Benefits the National Aquarium. Cocktail/'70s attire. Open bar, food stations, live music, disc jockey, dancing, "hustle" dance lessons, '70s video games, karaoke, disco dancers. National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt St. 8 p.m., VIP party 6:30 p.m. Tickets $100, $125 including VIP party. Call 410-727-3474.

Oct. 13

"Touchdown for the Homeless." Benefits the South Baltimore Homeless Shelter. Casual attire. Beer, wine, heavy hors d'oeuvres, raw bar, dessert buffet, live music, dancing. Nick's Inner Harbor Seafood at Cross Street Market, 1065 S. Charles St. 5 p.m. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at door. Call 410-752-3241.

"A Magical Afternoon with Jay Leno - 2002 Hall of Fame." Benefits the Chimes. Casual attire. Pre-performance reception with champagne/hors d'oeuvres and opportunity to meet Jay Leno, comedy show by Leno, post-show reception, open bar, buffet dinner. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 2 p.m. Tickets $500, $250 performance and post-show reception only. Call 410-358-7774.

Oct. 17

"Makin' Music." Benefits the Baltimore School for the Arts' theater program. Business/casual attire. Beer, wine, hors d'oeuvres, music/dance classes, performance by BSA alumni and students. Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $40 in advance, $50 at door. Call 410-347-3043.

Oct. 22

"TechNite 2002: The Believers." Benefits the Greater Baltimore Technology Council. Business attire. Networking, two cocktails, wine, cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 5:30 p.m. Tickets $110 Council members, $130 nonmembers. Register at www.gbtechcouncil.org.

"An Evening of Champions: The Baltimore Colts." Benefits the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Business attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, chance to mingle with more than 50 former Colts players. Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor, 101 W. Fayette St. 6 p.m. Tickets $150 Museum members, $175 nonmembers. Call 410-727-1539, Ext. 3015.

Oct. 23

"Founders Week Gala." Benefits the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, award presentation. Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $85. Call 410-706-8035.

Oct. 24

"6th Annual Taste of Hampden." Benefits the Hampden Family Center. Business/casual attire. Beer, wine, food stations, live music. Hampden Family Center, 1104 W. 36th St. 6 p.m. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at door. Call 410-467-8710.

Oct. 25

"Forever Morgan, Morgan Forever - Gala XVIII." Benefits the Morgan State University Foundation Inc. Black tie optional. Hors d'oeuvres at pre-gala reception, open bar, seated dinner, live music, dancing. Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn. 6:30 p.m. pre-gala reception, 7 p.m. gala. Tickets $150 reception and gala, $100 gala only. Call 443-885-3821.

Oct. 26

"Howl-O-Ween Hop." Benefits the Maryland SPCA. Costume/casual attire. Open bar, food stations, costume contests, live music, dancing. The Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Road, 7 p.m. Tickets $75. Call 410-889-9331, Ext. 4.

"Magical Mystery Tour 2002 - 17th Annual Mercy Magic Gala." Benefits Mercy Medical Center. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, live music, dancing. Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, 1101 Russell St. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $275. Call 410-332-9874.

Oct. 27

"Chef Cindy Wolf's Autumn Gourmet Gala for Breast Cancer Prevention." Benefits the American Cancer Society's Tell-A-Friend program. Business/cocktail attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated gourmet wine dinner, live jazz. Charleston restaurant, 1000 Lancaster St. 6 p.m. Tickets $500. Call 410-931-6850.

Oct. 28

"3rd Annual Gridiron Halloween." Benefits Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake Inc. Costume/casual attire. Open bar, food stations, costume contests, pool, bowling, disc jockey, dancing. Ravens players Edwin Mulitalo and Todd Heap are hosts. Jillian's of Arundel Mills, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover. 7 p.m. Tickets $150. Call 410-837-1800, Ext. 141.

Oct. 30

"Really Believe It, You're Nuts." Benefits the American Dime Museum and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Cocktail/casual attire. Wine, popcorn, corn dogs, museum tour, performances by members of Bobby Reynolds' Side Show. American Dime Museum, 1808 Maryland Ave., and other locations to be announced. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10. Call 410-230-0263

Nov. 2

"Let Freedom Ring - Annual Gala." Benefits the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Black tie. Wine, performance by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Bobby McFerrin, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 6 p.m. Tickets $600, $750, $1,000. Call 410-783-8040.

"Cabaret for Kids Gala." Benefits the Children's Guild. Black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, live music, cabaret-style performance. Honoree is sports agent Ron Shapiro. The Children's Guild, 6802 McClean Blvd. 7 p.m. Tickets $125. Call 410-444-3804, Ext. 139.

"Annual Gala." Benefits Maryland General Hospital. Black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, live music, dancing, casino-style games. Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor, 300 Light St. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $200. Call 410-328-5770.

"18th Annual Celebrity Ball." Benefits the Children's Cancer Foundation. Black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, performance by The Spinners, disc jockey, dancing. Towson Center, Towson University, off Osler Drive. 7 p.m. Tickets $200. Call 410-486-4744.

Nov. 3

"Book Bash 2002." Benefits Literacy Works Inc. Business/casual attire. Wine, beer, martini bar, food stations, live music and author appearances. The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson. 6 p.m. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at door. Call 410-887-2001.

Nov. 8

"Movin' and Groovin' With St. Agnes HealthCare." Benefits St. Agnes HealthCare. Business casual/vintage attire. Beer, wine, cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, live music, dancing, costume and dance contests. Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn. 7 p.m. Tickets $75. Call 410-368-3155.

Nov. 9

"I MAP! - Annual Exhibition & Auction." Benefits Maryland Art Place. Artful attire. 6:30 p.m., part one: open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner. 9:30 p.m., part two: live music, dancing, dessert buffet. Maryland Art Place, 8 Market Place. Tickets $175 parts one and two, $65 part two only. Call 410-962-8565.

Nov. 10

"Havana Moon - Fall Gala." Benefits Moveable Feast. Black tie/1930s attire. 1930s supper-club theme, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, live music, dancing. Hippopotamus, 1 W. Eager St. 7 p.m. Tickets $100. Call 410-327-3420.

Nov. 15

"ArtWeek 2002 Opening Night Reception." Benefits the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. Business/cocktail attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, chance to meet regional artists and purchase artwork. Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, 6501 N. Charles St. 6 p.m. Tickets $75. Call 410-523-7070.

Nov. 16

"2002 Raven Ball." Benefits the Maryland Historical Society. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, music, dancing. Belvedere Hotel, 1 E. Chase St. 9 p.m. Tickets $100 in advance, $110 at door. Call 410-685-3750, Ext. 321.

"17th Annual Gift of Life Gala." Benefits the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, music, dancing. Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St. 7 p.m. Tickets $195. Call 410-494-8545.

Nov. 30

"Oldies But Goodies Dance." Benefits the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Casual attire. BYOB, potluck, disc jockey, dancing, karaoke, museum tours. Great Blacks in Wax Museum, 1601 E. North Ave. 9 p.m. Tickets $20. Call 410-563-7809.