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When the stretch Hummer limo emblazoned with a Hornitos sign -- commandeered by a tequila-loving pal -- pulled up in front of my house, I knew I was in for an unusual evening, one that would take a few twists and turns, not unlike that limo trying to maneuver the winding stretch that led from my house to Lola.

That's where chef/owner Jamey Fader was hosting the first Dos Casas, a benefit for Brent's Place, which is building a new home-away-from-home for young cancer patients and their families, one close by the relocated Children's Hospital.

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Plan on eating out -- a lot -- on Thursday, May 1, when Dining Out For Life returns to Denver. Hundreds of restaurants will be donating 25 percent of their proceeds this day to Project Angel Heart, which delivers meals to people living with AIDS/HIV. Last year's event raised $380,000, and more than 350 area restaurants are participating this year; for a complete list, click here .

Or just stop by Mezcal at 3230 East Colfax Avenue, where I'll join an all-star lineup of alleged celebrities (City Councilwoman Carla Madison, Nick Cage of KTCL, songbird Lannie Garrett) who will be fighting to do more good than the lineup of more tarnished stars at Tambien, Mezcal's sibling.

Look for me behind the bar after 6 p.m., and if you can somehow distract me from bartending duties, I'm sure eveyrone in the room will be grateful. -- Patricia Calhoun

Today, Tuesday April 29th, is Ben & Jerry's annual Free Cone Day. Stop by any area location to sample one of the many delicious ice cream flavors. The only location with a Denver address is near DU at 2339 East Evans, where they will be serving from noon to 8 p.m. as a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Other local Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops are located in the Park Meadows Mall, Boulder, Belmar and Fort Collins. For more information, visit www.benjerry.com.

- Aubrey Shoe

I’ve been raving about Jeff “Maestro” Hughes, a violinist whose music mixes hip-hop sensibilities with classical technique, since I first clicked on his website . But you can catch him in person Thursday, May 1 at the Denver Food Rave, which promises plenty of other tasty entertainment, including a fourteen-model fashion show, other live performances samples from Elegant Catering and M&D’s Cafe, which has been dishing up great barbecue for more than thirty years.

Dondrae Mills, who owns Eventizm.com and organized this first Food Rave, hasn't been around long enough to eat M&D's barbecue from the beginning, but he knows a good thing when he sees it. Or hears it. Or eats it. In fact, Eventizm.com is a spinoff of a catering company. “You name it — as part of a catering company, I’ve been there," he says. "Now we do creative events.”

Events like this one, which Mills hopes will turn into a series. “We want to do this every three months,” he says. “Different performers, different chefs, different venues.” And very likely different prices, because the debut night at the Loft, 821 22nd Street, is a real deal: just $5, so that as many people as possible can get a taste of what Mills has in mind for the city.

To get your ticket in advance, click here. -- Patricia Calhoun

The clubby atmosphere at Morton's always makes an evening at this LoDo institution feel special (especially if you hit the cozy bar when those free steak sandwiches make their appearance). But on Monday, April 28, Morton's will host a particularly special event: the fifth annual Wine-Tasting Benefit for the Tennyson Center for Children and the Third Way Center.

You couldn't find two better causes, or a better way to enjoy doing good. The $250 VIP ticket buys entry for a 6 p.m. reception; the hoi polloi (at $150 per) come in at 7 p.m. for a silent auction, meaty buffet and all the wine you could possibly want (even if it's doled out in civilized tasting sizes). Morton's is at 1710 Wynkoop Street; for tickets, call 303-825-3353.

We love the brunch at Lola, the coastal Mexican restaurant at 1575 Boulder Street that won Best Brunch in the Best of Denver 2008, but we love this event even more:

On Wednesday, April 30, Lola is hosting Dos Casas, a charity event benefiting Brent's Place, a haven for young cancer patients and their families. Chef Jamey Fader has invited five fellow chefs -- Sheila Lucero of Jax in Denver, Matt Selby of Vesta Dipping Grill, Goose Sorenson of Solera, Tyler Wiard of Elway's and Duy Pham -- to join him in cooking up regional Mexican plates to match Lola's excellent cocktails. Tickets are $75 or $150 VIP; to find out more, click here. -- Patricia Calhoun