Normally, it's fun and--we hope--a bit engaging to add some cheekiness to the local events that help make our city, well, a city. Upon an initial glance at a five-day citywide drive called St. Baldrick's Day, our eyes rolled sevens on references ranging from inevitable heredity to fashion trends to Blackadder's dogsbody from the BBC America show. This cause, however, doesn't call for any of that, so let's slip into "just the facts" mode for a moment. Don't get used to it. St. Baldrick's Day, in its third year in Dallas, is an event that raises money for childhood cancer research, and the nonprofit fund-raiser has piled up $7 million across the country over the last five years. "Victims" show an aesthetic solidarity with stricken kids who sometimes lose their hair during treatment by having their heads shaved, while the less adventurous (but still essential) "volunteers" hang about to do the shaving honors. There are 11 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth that will be hosting renditions of the event, starting on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Tipperary Inn. A number of Humperdink's locations (Arlington, Irving, two in Dallas, Richardson and Addison) join in Monday through Wednesday, and Sherlock's and Trinity Hall are options those days as well. St. Patrick's Day itself sees Cape Buffalo and FYBR Salon (which is hosting a late-night shave till midnight) cut for a cure. Local celebrities will be dispersed at certain locations to participate and entice, and Dallas firefighters will be on hand throughout. Do something more than get wasted this year. There's never been a cause more pure, and going bald has never been so rewarding. Visit www.stbaldricks.org or call 1-888-899-BALD. --Matt Hursh
Swirl, Smell, Sip
3/10
To a germophobe, the scene in Sideways in which Paul Giamatti drinks from a bucket of other people's spit-out wine is more than cringe-inducing. It provokes a panic attack--just the thought of all that unhygienic saliva causes us to crumple to the floor. We hope to avoid any re-enactments at the American Institute of Wine & Food's Sideways-themed wine tasting, featuring Ashley Parker of Fess Parker Winery (renamed Frass Canyon in the movie). Attendees will have a chance to taste Fess Parker's chardonnay, Riesling, syrah, a Rhône blend and pinot noir--but, please, taste from the provided goblets, not the spittoon. Enjoy these Santa Barbara wines and hors d'oeuvres at Central Market's Community Room, 5750 E. Lovers Lane, on March 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $30. Call 214-696-2493 for reservations. --Michelle Martinez
Posy Party
3/13
Claude Monet once said that he perhaps owed his career as a painter to flowers. Whereas his art imitated flowers, at this event, flowers imitate art. During the Dallas Museum of Art's Art in Bloom 2005 Floral Symposium Festival, there will be floral design workshops, interactive family activities, fashion and plenty of floral art accompanying the real thing. The whole hoopla promises to scream an ode a la flora. Radio station 107.5 The Oasis kicks off the extravaganza, which runs from March 13 through March 15, with a Smooth Jazz Brunch at 11 a.m. Sunday featuring the Freddie Jones Band. The DMA is located at 1717 N. Harwood St. Visit www.DallasMuseumofArt.org or call 214-922-1839 to reserve classes. --Jenice Johnson
Get Real
3/11
The International Guild of Realism formed when a group of artists from around the world decided it was better to work with and support each other than to compete against each other. That's pretty realistic--and smart, if you ask us. But they're also masters of another kind of realism: the detail-oriented artistic style where flowers look like flowers and people don't have three eyes and purple heads. The first International Guild of Realism juried exhibition opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 11 at the Pan American Art Gallery, 303 Lee Parkway. It runs through April 23. Admission is free. Call 214-522-3303 or visit www.panamericanart.com. --Stephanie Durham
