Autumn in New York is one of our favorite times of the year.  And the season is kicking into high gear with fabulous October & November events around town. Here’s a sampling.

Oct. 11 & 17. Salute to Gilda Radner

Gilda Radner was one of our favorite SNL players, and to celebrate her 40^th SNL anniversary, Cabaret Vocalist Francesca Amari will have two shows at the Metropolitan Room with her critically acclaimed tribute show to the late great Gilda.  Her first show this Sunday, Oct. 11, is the exact date that Gilda Radner made her debut on SNL.  You can catch the show on Oct. 17^th too.  Tickets to The Metropolitan Room event start at $25 with special VIP packages available. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 W. 22^nd Street, New York. Call 212.206.0440, or order online at www.metropolitanroom.com

Oct. 15. Savvy Ladies 10^th Annual Benefit Gala

Celebrating the new face of business: today’s female entrepreneur. 6:00pm Pre-Event VIP Reception; 7:00 – 9:30pm Reception and Awards Event. NASDAQ MarketSite (4 Times Square). Honoring Alexandra Lebenthal, CEO of Lebenthal Holdings, and Stephanie Newby, CEO of Crimson Hexagon and Founder of Golden Seeds. www.savvyladiesgala.org

Oct. 17 & 18.  Open House NY

Yes tomatoes, next weekend NYC opens its doors and showcases hundreds of NYC’s most architecturally and culturally significant spaces and places, many not usually open to the public, in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs.  This is such a unique opportunity and it’s FREE!  Tours include the art deco lobby at 570 Lexington Avenue, the Bohemian National Hall and other cool spots. Get the details.

Oct. 21. The Phantom Unmasked

Franc D’Ambrosio, the world’s longest running Phantom of the Opera star and singer in The Godfather III, will be performing at the Staten Island Mental Health Society’s Fundraiser at the Hilton Garden.   You can purchase tickets, journals and raffles at www.simhs.org.

Oct. 25. The Janes Trio Sing “The Girl Groups”

We are so excited to present this fabulous trio, The Janes, who will be performing at the Triad as a benefit for UN Women.   You’ll laugh, cheer, and swoon from the heavenly 3-part harmonies and their jaw-dropping arrangements as tear through ALL the decades singing the tunes of every popular girl group from the Andrew Sisters to Destiny’s Child. Get your tickets now.

Nov. 5. Doodles for Hunger – Pier 60, Chelsea Piers

This is our favorite fundraising event every year.  Doodles for Hunger is a fun evening – cocktail party and fabulous buffet dinner – that auctions off signed original works of art by artists, and celebrities in every field –  like this one from Donald Trump (could become priceless). We love perusing the art. And this year’s guest or honor is Regis Philban. The best part is that auction raising much needed funds for the great work done by St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters, which feeds, clothes, and counsels those in need. Last year they served over 1.2 million meals!  Event is at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, individual tickets are $300.  Get details.

Nov. 8. Celia Berk at the Metropolitan Room

The 2015 Bistro and Mac Award winner, Celia Berk will be performing at the Metropolitan Room.  She is one of those inspirational tomatoes who never gave up on her performing dreams (even though she is a successful ad agency executive by day).  Rex Reed calls her, “One of the Best Singers I’ve heard in a long time.  Catch her show at the Metropolitan Room, Nov. 8 at 7PM and you’ll know what the buzz is all about.