Drink for charity Saturday night

Eric Hutchinson. (Credit: Courtesy of Eric Hutchinson)

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There are three great reasons to drink for charity Saturday night:

Rock and roll: First, you can check out Eric Hutchinson at the GivingTree Rock Block concert in front of the Upper Deck in Old Town Scottsdale.

From 7 to 10 p.m., locals the Groove Merchants will perform, along with Chad Hollister, and metal cover band Hair Force. Hutchinson will close the show. He's best known for "Rock and Roll" and has been named an AOL "About to Pop" artist, Yahoo! Who's Next Artist, MSN "One To Watch" Artist and a "VH1 You Oughta Know" artist.

The concert will benefit Future for Kids, an organization that mentors at-risk youth, and the national V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Valley-based companies Oregano's Pizza Bistro and the BillingTree are covering event costs, so the entire $25 ticket price goes to the charities. The basic ticket includes dinner from Oregano's. VIP tickets also can be purchased for $125, and includes premium seating both inside and out, food, cocktails and meet-and-greets with the musicians.

Details: 7 to 10 p.m. 4224 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, mybillingtree.com/rockblock.

Beer and poker: At the nearby Draft magazine's Big Pour, there's a charity poker tournament to benefit Desert Stages Theatre. On the final night of this three-day drinking festival, there's a $100 buy-in tournament followed by a concert by Everclear. Created in 1995, the Desert Stages Theatre started out practicing in a parking lot at Scottsdale and Shea, and now produces full-fledged shows. The buy-in includes free food, drinks, a special raffle and an auction.

Details: 7 to 11 p.m. at the Scottsdale Waterfront, 480-483-1664, draftmag.com/bigpour.

Gourmet food, Top 40 music: More than 1,000 guests are expected at the 26th annual Noche de Gourmet at the Tempe Center for the Arts, a semiformal event pairing top-tier Valley chefs with microbreweries and wineries.

The Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix hosts this event to raise money for the Children in Need Foundation, which provides money and services for various children's charities in the Greater Phoenix area. Restaurants such as Chelsea's Kitchen, Barrio Cantina & Grill and Il Terrazzo are participating at the event on the shores of Tempe Town Lake. Katie Raml, anchor of ABC 15 news, is the emcee, with music from the high-energy cover band Static, the official house band of the Phoenix Suns. (I saw them at a W Scottsdale party once, and they're pretty impressive.)

Tickets can be purchased for $75 to $100 at nochedegourmet.com VIP tickets cost $200 (currently $150 online) and include access to the VIP area on upper floors, as well as a champagne toast and bourbon and tequila tastings.

Details: 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, phoenix2030.com/events/noche.