Carbo-load or load your social calendar. It’s a marathon weekend. On your mark, get set, go!

EAT
Recipe for Relief
What: Big Easy benefit features food, drinks, and live jazz.
Why: Eighty-five chefs go the distance for hurricane survivors.
When: Thurs., 5:30-10 p.m.
Where: McCormick Place Grand Ballroom South, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr. (312-422-0173).

Beggar’s Banquet
What: Collaboraction’s cabaret pairs dinner courses with mini plays.
Why: You eat. They run at the mouth.
When: Sat., 7 p.m.
Where: River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St., b/t Lake Shore Dr. & McClurg Ct. (312-321-1001).

DO
Pretty in Pink
What: Spa treatments for $31 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Why: Nothing says aerodynamics better than a Brazilian.
When: Thru Oct.
Where: Salons and spas citywide; check chicagobeauty.com for details.

BUY
The Hip Event
What: Launch of limited-edition Zac Posen Seven for All Mankind jeans.
Why: Posen leads the design pack. (Cue roar of crowd.)
When: Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Neiman Marcus, 737 N. Michigan Ave., at Superior St. (312-642-5900).

Sales to Sprint To
What: Jayson Home & Garden annual tent sale, Beta sample sale, Alphabétique early bird special, and free minifacials from Caudalie (plus a visit from makeup artist Sue Devitt!) at Raizy.
Why: Map your own course, then go, go, go!
When: Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Jayson; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Beta; Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. (thru Oct. 31), Alphabétique; Sat., noon-6 p.m., facials and Sue Devitt (reservations recommended).
Where: Jayson Home & Garden, 1885 N. Clybourn Ave., b/t Racine St. & Sheffield Ave. (773-248-8180); Beta, The Movement Studio, 1811 W. North Ave., ste. 202, b/t Wood & Honore Sts.; Alphabétique, 701 W. Armitage Ave., at Orchard St. (312-751-2920); Raizy, 1944 N. Damen Ave., b/t Armitage Ave. & Cortland St. (773-227-2221).

Photo: ©2005 Brian Kersey, briankersey.com