By: Claudia King Photography: Mark Davis; small photo courtesy of Lisa Grantham Date Posted: 1/28/2010 Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend

+ Dinner, art and raising money for a good cause—what could be better? Get all three at once at the Savor the Arts dinner starting at 5pm Feb. 4 at North Dallas’ Tre Amici Prime Steakhouse and Seafood. Artists including Shane Pennington and Mike Ledoux will showcase their work and will mingle with guests during an hors d’oeuvres and wine reception and silent auction before the dinner. Funds raised at the dinner and silent auction will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. $100. 972/250-4401; www.tre-amici.com.

+ Allen’s Watters Creek will soon welcome a handful of new restaurants and shops. New options for tasty treats include a Panera Bread Company (opening in early 2010); a Nestle Toll House Café; and Sublime Chocolates, which will offer handmade sweets and truffles. Fashionistas will also want to check out the new Madison Envy and Firefly Trends, which will offer clothing and accessories in the latest styles. Watters Creek is also planning to welcome a new cigar shop, complete with a walk-in humidor. 972/747-8000; www.watterscreek.com.

ALLEN ANGELS Dance the night away at the 12th Annual Special Angels Among Us dinner and auctions benefiting the Allen Special Olympics from 6-11pm Feb. 27 at the Plano Centre. Bid on cool items like sports memorabilia and gift baskets in live and silent auctions before getting your groove on to live music. Tickets are $40 per person. 972/359-7531; www.planocentre.com

+ Enjoy a Valentine’s Day date night at Concerto D’Amore at 8pm Feb. 13 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The concert, which will feature the McKinney Kammergild Society, will include romantic music on viola and oboe. $11 adults; $6 children. 214/544-4630; www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org.

+ See the sensational and over-the-top live show One Night of Queen at 8pm Feb. 26 at Richardson’s Eisemann Center. Gary Mullen, who won British TV show Stars in Their Eyes for his perfect portrayal of Queen front man Freddie Mercury, will lead his band, The Works, in performing classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Show Must Go On.” $65-$40. 972/744-4650; www.eisemanncenter.com.

+ Bingo with bling—well, that would be called “blingo,” and you can experience it firsthand at the Junior League of Plano’s Bingo 4 Benefits Luncheon and Silent Auction from 11am-2pm Feb. 27 at Frisco’s Embassy Suites. You’ll be treated to a tasty lunch and dessert plus a bingo card you can play for high-end prizes. Tickets are $45 per person or $650 for a V.I.P. table. 972/769-0557; www.jlplano.org.

+ Take a trip to the Great White Way (without leaving Collin County) with the Plano Symphony Orchestra’s The Tony Awards: Broadway’s Greatest Night at 8:15pm Feb. 27 at Richardson’s Eisemann Center. The orchestra, along with performers from local arts organization PFamily Arts, will play highlights from Broadway shows, including Mama Mia, Phantom of the Opera and Carousel. Tickets start at $9. 972/473-7262; www.planosymphony.org.

+ McKinney-area bookworms rejoice: The city just opened its second library! The John and Judy Gay Library, located on the city’s west side at Gabe Nesbitt Community Park, includes free wi-fi, self-service computers and eco-friendly energy features like a geothermal heating and cooling unit. The city plans to eventually offer regular programming (like book clubs and lecture series) at the new library. 972/547-7323; www.mckinneypubliclibrary.org.