Dine out, do good

Plan now for the Oct. 22 Third Annual Oyster Bash at Upstream, with a portion of proceeds benefitting national hunger relief group Share Our Strength. For $95, you get to try 10 varieties of coldwater oysters from around the continent, paired with 10 wines and sparkling wines. Three wine experts will declare what they think is the best pairing of the evening, as will guests, and votes from both will be counted to declare a winner. Guests will be in the running for a $100 Harper's gift certificate.

Planned offerings include Rappahannocks from Topping, Va.; Old Salts from Chincoteague Bay, Va.; York Rivers from (surprise) York River, Va.; Kusshis from British Columbia; Malpeques from Prince Edward Island; and more, plus Droin Chablis, Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, La Marca Prosecco, Domaine du Quilla Muscadet, Franciscan Sauvignon Blanc and other paired wines.

Reservations for the night are required: 704-556-7730; 6902 Phillips Place. (Malpeque oyster photo from blueislandoyster.com.)