When the quintessentially Southern seersucker stylings sunbathe social gatherings, there's no question that summer spirit is here — despite what the calendar says. Darling hats and classic hot weather treads were all the rage at the Devereux Young Ambassadors' "Seersucker and Summer Dress Soiree" at Hughes Hangar.

Amid the amicable mingling, the group's chair, Jessica Stoner, reminded young professionals that mental ailments can affect anyone, anytime. The affair raised funds to furnish basic necessities for those in Devereux Treatment Network's care.

That a signature green potation was concocted for the event, we say, "Bottoms up!"

Seen on the scene were committee members Ahshia Berry, Elise Brooking, Nancy Rivera and Heather Smith alongside guests Heather Snyder, Ashleigh Haverland, Courtney Battle and Joe Peterka.

The gent and dame of the hour, Brian Ross of Gibbs & Bruns and Verr Soltes of H-E-B, were named Man & Woman of the Year for rousing friends, family and the community to pony up $123,482 and $100,265 respectively, breaking any Texas fundraising records for this yearly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society campaign.

At the sold out reception at the River Oaks Country Club emceed by Brent Clanton, 475 supporters on a mission celebrated everyone's effort, one which collectively amassed more than $585,000.

In addition to the 12 notable candidates — Hot 95.7's Sarah Pepper, Lori Freese of Freese Media Group, Houston Dynamo Geoff Cameram, Saba Jawda and William Daniel in the mix — The Bachelorette chap Kalon McMahon, Channel 13's Sonia Azad, Miriam Habib and three-time leukemia survivor Evelyn Leightman helped bring in the cash.

On tap this week are one huge naughty musical sin, lots of vino, a veneration of the vegetables, a music fest kickoff concert, a sappy love story and tunes of Kokomo.

Theatre Under the Stars' The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Pre-Party at Saint Arnold Brewing Company

When there's a scandal in Texas, it is as big as the Lone Star State itself. We are not above drug busts, embezzlement, Ponzi schemes, socialite child porn brouhaha and brothels. The latter is what brought La Grange to national infamy when it was exposed that the charming "Mrs. Swine" was a madam and that the Chicken Ranch didn't serve up just poultry breasts. It was Channel 13's Marvin Zindler who was credited with closing it down in 1973. And it was Texas author Larry L. King, director Peter Masterson and composer Carol Hall who set the whole escapade to song and dance — topless dudes included.

Theatre Under the Stars' production continues through June 17 (tickets start at $24), but for one performance this Thursday the thespian group is hosting a pre-show social at Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Imbibe suds, nibble on Spaghetti Warehouse edibles and hop on a bus to the show at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Thursday, 5 p.m. Tickets to social and show start at $42.

Eighth Annual Wine & Food Week, presented by H-E-B

Shakespeare had it wrong when he wrote that "If music be the food of love, play on." Not that I don't love music — I do — but chances are the food of love is wine because at least wine lowers inhibitions enough to open up to the possibility of love — or is that just sex? Let's not get caught up in that argument and just enjoy the fruits of Dionysus. Behold the grape at the week-long Wine & Food Week titled "Royal, Regal & Real: Celebrating Life's Greatest Pleasures & Treasures."

Lots of events including wine dinners, walks, tastings, panels, socials and concerts, with notable guests like Darren McGrady, who served Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, and Bottlenotes Guide to Wine: Around the World in 80 Sips author Alyssa Rapp, are slated between now and June 10, some in The Woodlands, some downtown. Plan ahead, get a room if you intend to indulge. Partying is expected, but drinking and driving is such sweet sorrow.

Through June 10. Fees vary.

VegFest Houston 2012 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Pecore Hall

Do vegans scare you? So perhaps the whole not eating meat, chicken, fish, dairy, eggs, cheese, bacon — anything that most would consider an essential part of every meal — is rather restricting, but then again can you imagine a life without tomatoes, avocados, berries, bananas, peanut butter and chocolate? At first the whole philosophy may seem ludicrous, but it isn't as difficult as it appears.

To learn more about resources to lessen dependence on animals for diet and lifestyle, VegFest Houston 2012 has amassed vendors, guest speakers, screenings of educational films, food demos, booths for exhibitors and nonprofits, live music and an outdoor Kids Zone with fun activities for children. Guests will be able to sample food, grab discount coupons, literature and recipes, and listen to motivational speaker Victoria Moran of New York, local raw vegan chef Pat Greer, vegan chef Yafah Asiel and cardiologist Dr. Baxter Montgomery.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.

DiverseWorks Art Opening: Don Ed Hardy: 2000 Dragons + 12

Now that "Luck of the Draw" is over, the alternative art presenter is moving away from small works of art to an exhibition that includes a 500-foot-long scroll painting of 2,000 dragons. Don Ed Hardy crafted this colossal work in 2000 to commemorate the Year of the Dragon and the onset of the new millennium, and recently fashioned a new complementary series of 12 dragon four-by-three-feet paintings, one per each month of 2012, also the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac.

Besides being fascinated by the logistics of installing such a work of art, that the Art Guys are displaying some of Hardy's works in their studio is peculiar (open to the public by appointment).

Opens Saturday, 3-6 p.m., on view through July 7. Admission is free.

2012 Texas Music Festival Orchestra Concert "Celebratory Opening" at Moores Opera Center

Music lovers rejoice; the first orchestra hullabaloo of the talented students taking part in the Texas Music Festival is set to be a major tour de force. With Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, the month-long music fest opens with a joyful bang.

Come early for a gathering outside of the concert hall. Food from It's A Wrap and Porch Swing Desserts food trucks, and chamber music and jazz by the students prolong the party, fitting for this "Celebratory Opening" musicale.

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 for students and seniors.

Arts smarty pants and in-the-loop dance maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Houston Ballet's Romeo & Juliet at Wortham

Nancy says: "Romeo & Juliet contains some of Ben Stevenson's finest pas de deux work. And what a line up of couples they have in store for us at Houston Ballet. Sara Webb and Joseph Walsh, first paired in Manon, now get another chance to flaunt their chemistry and impeccable technique.

"This will be Karina Gonzalez's first Juliet on Texas soil. She's paired with the dreamy Ian Casady. Finally, seasoned principals Melody Mennite and Connor Walsh give the roles ago. It will be a tough choice to pick a couple or you can be a dance nut and see them all!"

Runs Thursday through June 17. Tickets start at $18.

Staff writer and CultureMap's darling city explorer Whitney Radley's pick: The Beach Boys at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Whitney says: "I've said it once, and I'll say it again: The Beach Boys' 50th anniversary reunion show at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion isn't to be missed. Reviews from the first dates paint the show as decidedly bizarre and thorough, discography-wise."

Gates open Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available from $20 to $125.