Out on the town this May? Here are some of the most fun and fabulous local galas, fundraisers, celebrations and other events to see and be seen at this month around Marin County and in the Bay Area.
May 2 Marin Magazine Celebrates Remarkable Women
The annual gathering, which also commemorates the magazine’s May issue, brings together accomplished women from all walks of life. Enjoy lively conversation, cocktails and tasty bites. Photos by Steven Gregory Photography.
May 2 Bridge the Gap’s Vines and Vision Gala
Sausalito’s Bridge the Gap hosts its annual Vines & Vision Gala to support its work on educational justice. The evening features a wine tasting event and live auction to gather financial resources. Last year’s gala raised $560,000 toward the nonprofit’s mission to provide educational, social and emotional resources to underserved students in Marin City and Southern Marin.
May 4 Beyond Differences’ Bridge to Belonging Fundraiser
Beyond Differences, an Marin-based organization fostering social acceptance and a culture of belonging amongst middle schoolers, will hold its annual benefit at Sweetwater Music Hall to raise support for its inclusivity programs in schools across the country. Popular Bay Area band Tainted Love will bring their 80s grooves to the stage.
May 7 Spring has Sprung Walking Tour Benefitting MarinHealth’s New Adolescent Clinic
The Raccoon Branch of MarinHealth Medical Center will be hosting a “Spring has Sprung” walking garden tour around Belvedere from 10 am to 2 pm. Participants will peek into elegant courtyards and meander through blooming gardens on the tour, and conclude with a garden inspired sip & shop boutique at the San Francisco Yacht Club along with a boxed salad lunch. Proceeds will help fund the new Adolescent Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic in Greenbrae, which provides Marin County adolescents accessible, affordable, and essential support for mental wellness.
May 10 In Celebration of Mothers: Supporting the Center for Domestic Peace
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Center for Domestic Peace’s annual fundraising luncheon, In Celebration of Mothers—an event which lifts up women’s roles in nurturing the growth of children, families, communities and nations. This year’s keynote speaker will be Nina Simons, co-founder and chief relationship officer at Bioneers.
May 11 UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Notes and Words Concert
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Notes & Words benefit returns to Oakland’s Fox Theater to raise funds through music and prose. The hospital provides not only clinical care for children but also addresses their developmental and emotional needs with programs like music, art classes, therapy dog visits and more.
May 16 Ritter Center’s Under the Stars
Join Ritter Center for its annual signature fundraiser, Under the Stars, held on May 16 at the Elks Club in San Rafael. Festivities begin at 5:30 pm with a family-friendly reception that includes entertainment and lawn games, followed by a sit-down barbecue dinner by Big Jim’s BBQ. Guest speakers Mayor Kate Colin of San Rafael and Emmy award winning reporter Cornell Barnard from ABC7 will speak to the positive impact of Ritter Center’s outreach programs; and the evening includes community awards, a live auction and fund-a-need drive. All funds raised will support Ritter Center’s healthcare, housing support and food pantry services. Photos: courtesy of Ritter Center
May 16 Springtime at The Redwoods: A Dinner Celebrating Mothers
The Redwoods senior center will honor mothers on May 16 with a cocktail reception, live music, a scrumptious dinner, and a heartwarming program, all on the beautiful patio under the stars. Proceeds will help The Redwoods create a brand-new memory care center, ensuring its beloved residents can age gracefully in the place they call home. Photos: courtesy of The Redwoods
May 17 Step up Marin!
Local residents, advocates and elected officials gather in San Rafael for Step Up Marin!, an event to raise funds for Community Action Marin’s anti-poverty movement. Resources generated will help put people on a path of stability and greater hope while transforming systems toward justice. Last year’s gala hosted special guest John Lam, a principal dancer with the Boston Ballet who went to preschool at the agency’s Canal Children’s Center. Photos: Nano Visser
May 18 Take Me to the Trees: A Redwoods Celebration
Save the Redwoods League presents Take Me to the Tree: A Redwoods Celebration—a benefit to protect and restore California’s iconic redwoods and connect people to the joy and beauty of the forests. The event at The Presidio in San Francisco will be emceed by Griff Griffith, internet personality and host of Animal Planet’s Wild Jobs, with special guests and live music from Super Diamond, the Neil Diamond Tribute Band. Guests will enjoy craft cocktails and dine on conifer-inspired appetizers and sweet and savory food stations, plus have the opportunity to raise their paddle for redwoods adventure auction packages.
May 19 Woofstock at Marin Humane
Gather with hundreds of animal lovers and their four-legged friends at Marin Humane’s extensive grounds on May 19 for Woofstock, a beloved music event that benefits the shelter’s animals. Guests can enjoy food, beer and wine, animal-themed vendors, a wide array of raffle items and the main attraction, a rocking music show. More than $65,000 was raised at 2023’s event for Marin’s only animal shelter. Photos by Lisa Bloch, courtesy of Marin Humane.
May 19 Walk for Moms Benefitting the Postpartum Support Center
The 4th Annual Walk For Moms is an event dedicated to mobilizing support and raising critical funds for the Postpartum Support Center in San Rafael—which helps moms challenged with maternal mental health issues. Although there is no cost to participate in the walk, the organizers encourage a suggested donation of $10 per individual or $20 per family, which goes towards the campaign’s goal: offering comprehensive, year-round support services to families at no charge.
May 31 Celebration of Heart by the Challenged Athletes Foundation
The yearly Celebration of Heart, put on by the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), raises money to empower individuals with physical challenges and enable them to access programs and adaptive sports equipment. Guests from all walks of life are invited to stand behind dozens of local athletes and their families, including grant recipients who will take the stage as the evening’s featured athletes, including Breezy Bochenek, a Bay Area athlete that overcame losing her leg to cancer as a young girl and is now an accomplished triathlete and singer. Photos by Christy Fritts, Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Give Back When You Go Out: Volunteer
Looking for more ways to give back to our community by volunteering your time? Here’s a list of Marin County nonprofits supporting a variety of causes — ranging from helping our most vulnerable residents to keeping our environment healthy — where your assistance can really make a difference.
