Finding fall events that provide right fit

As you change out your closet from summer to fall clothes and check to see if your party pieces will work for you this season, you might not realize that the apparel and the shindigs you might be wearing them to have something in common.

Just as you define certain items in your wardrobe as classic go-to pieces, and others as being edgier, you can define your party options the same way.

Some annual fundraisers are good, solid classics. You know whom you'll see and what to expect. That can range from that fancy-schmancy gala — like the Walters Art Museum's — to the much more casual blast — like Casey Cares Foundation's Rock 'N' Roll Bash.

Each season, there's usually a trend to spot as well. Fashion shows have been all the rage. At least three gatherings — those for Pathfinders for Autism, Sharp Dressed Man and the Steve Smith Foundation — feature a runway event.

You can go all-new. Chase Brexton Health Care debuts its Charm Ball with all things Baltimore. The Maryland Zoo describes its new Zoobilee — a cocktail/casual soiree in the penguin exhibit — as a one-of-a-kind fete.

There are also those that have gone in for alterations. Playworks Maryland's Soiree for Play has moved from a health club to a local craft brewery. The Journey Home's An Evening of Unexpected Delights has downshifted from a fancy gala with a surprise performer to a more informal event with a publicized act and an after-party.

You can always think bling: celebrity guests. They might be on stage — like Tony Award-winning actor/singer Leslie Odom Jr. of “Hamilton” fame at The Journey Home's An Evening of Unexpected Delights. Celebs also might be mingling in the crowd — like former Raven Ray Lewis at The Chimes gala (where Kool & The Gang and En Vogue will also be performing).

So, what's your party style this season? Here's a list to help you find the right fit.

Classic — casual

Rock 'N' Roll Bash: Benefiting Casey Cares Foundation. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24. Maryland Live Casino, 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover. Rock 'n roll attire. Open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres. Live music, dancing, performances by The Justin Ryan Band, High Voltage, and Christine Ohlman. Tickets: $100. caseycares.org/events/rock-n-roll-bash

Maritime Magic: Benefiting Living Classrooms Foundation. 7 p.m. Sept. 30. Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames St., Fells Point. Cocktail to casual attire. Beer, wine, liquor samples, cash bar, food stations from more than 70 local restaurants/food vendors. Live music, dancing. Tickets $110 in advance, $120 at door. https://livingclassrooms.org/event.php?event_id=2

34th annual Benefit and Auction: Benefiting Believe in Tomorrow National Children's Foundation. 6 p.m. Nov. 12. The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, 7795 Arundel Mills Boulevard, Hanover. Business casual attire. Wine and beer, cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, food stations. Tickets $75. Contact [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Classic — after work

Wishes, Dreams & Imagination Gala:Benefiting Dyslexia Tutoring Program. 6 p.m. Oct. 6. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St., Harbor East. Business attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner. Tickets $300. dyslexiatutoringprogram.org/newsdetail.php?cms_id=104

Faces 2016 — Unleash Your Awesome: Benefiting The Children's Home. 6 p.m. Oct. 28. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway, South Baltimore. Business attire. Beer and wine, signature cocktails, food stations. Live music, dancing, pumpkin decorating, airbrush tattoo/body painting, auction of original artwork by The Children's Home residents. Tickets $85-$100. thechildrenshome.net/upcoming-events/

Signature Chefs Auction:Benefiting March of Dimes. 6 p.m. Nov. 9. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St., Harbor East. Cocktail/business attire. Open bar, samplings from 25 area chefs. Tickets $200. signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org/Event.aspx?eventId=18618&

Classic — cocktail

Flip-Flop Festivus:Benefits Life and Breath Foundation. 7 p.m. Sept. 23. Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, 200 International Drive, Harbor East. “Resort” cocktail attire (cocktail with flip-flops). Open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, food stations, dessert. Casino games, live music & dancing. Tickets $125. lifeandbreath.org

An Evening on the Severn: Benefiting Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Private residence, Severna Park. Dressy casual attire. Beer, wine, signature cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres. Tickets $375. eveningonthesevern.eventscff.org

4th Annual Gala — Building Resiliency One Step at a Time:Benefiting Good Shepherd Services. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3. The Hilton BWI Airport Hotel, 1739 W. Nursery Road, Linthicum Heights. Cocktail attire. Open bar and hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour, cash bar during seated dinner. Tickets $100. gssmaryland.org/2016-annual-event/

Classic — formal

Centennial Gala:Benefiting Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Mid-town Belvedere. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, small plates. 8 p.m. BSO concert featuring Itzhak Perlman. Tickets $500-$5,000. Contact [e-mail].

Starnight Gala — The Golden Age of Hollywood:Benefiting Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St., Harbor East. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, live music, dancing. Tickets $600. Call 443-643-3460.

The Walters Gala 2016: A Feast for the Senses:Benefiting the Walters Art Museum. 6 p.m. Oct. 15. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Mount Vernon. Black tie. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner in museum galleries. Tickets $500. thewalters.org/events/event.aspx?e=4524

2016 Museum Gala: Global Carnival:Benefits Reginald F. Lewis Museum. 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Festive attire, black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres. DJ and dancing, different types of live entertainment in different areas, casino games. Tickets $75-$100. lewismuseum.org/gala2016

Classic — boho

A Love Letter to Baltimore — Season X Launch Party:Benefiting Single Carrot Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24. Single Carrot Theatre, 2600 N. Howard St., Remington. Cocktail to casual attire. One free drink, cash bar, light fare. DJ, dancing, karaoke. Tickets $25, $45 premium tickets include unlimited drinks until 9:30 p.m. 2016.baltimoreinnovationweek.com/events/single_carrot_theatre_season_x_launch_party--a_love_letter_to_baltimore

21st Gala — Back to the Garden: Benefiting American Visionary Art Museum: 5 p.m. Nov. 20. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Federal Hill. Cocktail attire, Garden of Eden-inspired costume/attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner. Tickets $250-$300. Contact [e-mail].

On trend

First Fashion Show Gala:Benefiting Sharp Dressed Man. 6 p.m. Sept. 22. Chase Court, 1112 St. Paul St., Mount Vernon. Cocktail attire. Open bar, light hors d'oeuvres. Fashion show by Sharp Dressed Man graduates. Tickets $90. eventbrite.com/e/sharp-dressed-man-gala-tickets-25732768403

Fashion Show & Party:Benefiting Steve Smith Family Foundation. 7 p.m. Oct. 10. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Federal Hill. Cocktail attire. Beer, wine, signature cocktails, food stations from Baltimore restaurants/food vendors. Fashion show featuring Steve Smith Sr. and other Baltimore Ravens players. Tickets $350. stevesmithfamilyfdn.org/events/steve-smith-family-foundation-fashion-show/

An Evening of Celebrity Fashion & Fun:Benefiting Pathfinders for Autism. 7 p.m. Nov. 5. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Federal Hill. Cocktail attire, black tie optional. Open bar, , food stations. Hosted by former Oriole B.J. Surhoff and wife Polly Surhoff, fashion show featuring sports, entertainment and broadcasting celebrities. Tickets $200. https://501auctions.com/pathfindersfashionshow

After alterations

An Evening of Unexpected Delights:Benefiting The Journey Home. 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Mid-town Belvedere. Dressy casual attire. Open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres at after party. Concert by The Roots with Leslie Odom, Jr. followed by after-party. Tickets $175. journeyhomebaltimore.org

Soiree for Play!Benefiting Playworks Maryland. 6 p.m. Nov. 3. Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave., Woodberry. Business casual (sneakers encouraged). Beer, food trucks. Live music, dancing, games. Tickets $50. playworks.org/communities/maryland/events/soiree-for-play/2016

New on the scene

Charm Ball 2016: Benefiting Chase Brexton Health Care. 6 p.m. Sept. 17. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Pigtown. Cocktail attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner. Honoree: Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson. Tickets $250. charmball.com

Canton Trash Wheel Shower:Benefiting Waterfront Partnership's Healthy Harbor Initiative's funding and maintenance of the new Canton Water Wheel. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St., Harbor East. Casual attire. Beer and wine, light fare. Meet inventor of the trash wheel and vote on its “gender.” Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at door. https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ed1vbedka689169b&oseq&c&ch

Zoobilee:Benefiting the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. 7 p.m. Sept. 23. Penguin Coast exhibit, Maryland Zoo, 1876 Mansion House Drive, Druid Hill Park. Cocktail attire. Beer and wine, food stations, music and dancing. Tickets $100. marylandzoo.org/event/zoobilee-140/

Flutter Buy 2: Benefiting Nikki Perlow Foundation: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Four Seasons Private Residences, 200 International Drive, Harbor East. Cocktail attire. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, food stations. Tour six residences, art auction. Tickets $175. www.nikkiperlowfoundation.org

Claire Marie Autumn Wine Fest: Benefiting Claire Marie Foundation. 6 p.m. Oct. 1. Boordy Wines, 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes. Casual attire. Wine, heavy hors d'oeuvres. Live music. Tickets $85. clairemariefoundation.org/event/october-1-2016-save-the-date-for-autumn-wine-fest/

Bling

10th Anniversary Gala:Benefiting Cool Kids Campaign. 6 p.m. Sept. 24. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Pigtown. Black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner. Live music & dancing, honorary co-chairs Ken Singleton & Dan Jansen. Tickets $300. coolkidscampaign.org/10year/

Tastebuds:Benefiting Best Buddies Maryland. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30. Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 1525 Russell St. Business/cocktail attire. Beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, signature dishes from local chefs — paired with a buddy as their “sous chefs” at 16 food stations. Guest sports celebrities including Walt Williams. Tickets $100. bestbuddies.org/blog/2016/04/25/tastebuds-fine-food-friendships-cocktails/

Chimes Gala:Benefiting Chimes Foundation. 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8. Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna St., Harbor East. Black tie optional. Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, dessert. Honoring retired Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis; entertainment by Kool & the Gang and En Vogue. Tickets $275. chimes.org/events/gala.htm

17th Annual Goodwill Gridiron Halloween:Benefiting Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake Inc. 7 p.m. Oct. 17. Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills, 7000 Arundel Circle, Hanover. Casual, costume optional. Open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres. Ravens players in costume, costume contest. Tickets $150. goodwillgridiron.com

Second Annual Soiree with O.J. — A Rockin' Good time!Benefiting Brigance Brigade Foundation. 7 p.m. Oct. 21. Hard Rock Cafe, 601 E. Pratt St., Inner Harbor. Business/cocktail attire. Beer & wine, cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres. Music, dancing, hosted by former Baltimore Raven O.J. Brigance, celebrity athlete guests, performance by Esnavi. Tickets $100. brigancebrigade.org/soiree-with-o.j.-–-a-rockin'-good-time