But this classy celebration is no high school prom, and it's not a black and white ball. It's the fourth annual auction hosted by the Los Gatos High School New Millennium Foundation to raise much-needed funds for the high school.

"A Night at the Opera" will be held Oct. 9 from 6 to 11 p.m., fittingly at the Opera House, and it's just one of many events included in the Los Gatos High School Alumni Association's all-alumni reunion weekend Oct. 8, 9 and 10.

The New Millennium Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by parents, teachers and administrators to raise funds to enhance education, and the auction is the group's big event of the year.

Susie Tighe, a parent who is organizing the auction, said they've changed the event to an evening festivity to attract more adults.

"We found that people with children were busy during the day," she said.

The night includes complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks, a no host bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner stations, dessert and a coffee bar. Tickets are $75. Participants will also have the opportunity to bid on a one-week trip to Paris, vacation get-aways, catered parties, sporting event tickets, artwork, events with Los Gatos High staff, fine jewelry, sports memorabilia and more. Among the coveted items that will be auctioned include reserved parking and front-row seats to graduation.

Since its inception, Tighe said the foundation has contributed approximately $350,000 in grants to the high school. This year, its members continue to focus on funding capital improvements that enhance the educational environment of the school.

Tighe said they are hoping to net at least $100,000 from the auction for improvements for visual and performing arts, athletics, and grant requests from teachers in different departments. All proceeds from the auction go directly back to the school.

"It's immediate," Tighe said. "You know it comes right back to the school and the teachers access it."

Tighe said local merchants have been generous is donating everything from gift certificates and merchandise to advertising the reunion with posters and banners. She suggested the auction is also a great way to get holiday shopping done early. There will also be a cash prize drawing for up to $7,000, and the live auction will again be run by official auctioneer Emily Ruvalcaba.

The auction, though, is just part of the all-alumni weekend. Sandy Spafford Moore, alumni association president and 1963 graduate, said the weekend kicks off on Oct. 8 with a 4 p.m. barbecue at Johnny's Northside Grill, 532 N. Santa Cruz Ave., followed by the high school football game against Mountain View at 7:30 p.m. There will be alumni recognition at halftime. Following the game, alumni are encouraged to "get together" at Los Gatos Lodge.

"If you're a Los Gatos High School grad, you'll always be a Wildcat," said Dan Pinschmidt, alumni association vice president and a 1969 graduate.

For most alumni, Pinschmidt said going to Los Gatos High is not just a four-year experience, it's a 12-year experience since many students also attend the local elementary and middle schools together.

Former Los Gatos High administrators Ted Simonson, Patti Hughes and Al Simon and home economics teacher Wendy Cosgrove will serve breakfast with the teachers on Oct. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the new patio room of the high school science building. Just for show, Simonson's old yellow school bus will be parked out front.

Anyone is invited to attend the breakfast and many past and present teachers will be stopping by, Moore said. Entertainment will be provided by the high school's dance team, Paw de Chat, and the Angelfish synchronized swimming group.

Current students will lead tours of the campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Last year was the first year I went on the tours, and I was amazed," Pinschmidt said. "I've been on campus a lot, but I didn't get to hear it from a student perspective."

There's also a picnic planned at Oak Meadow Park for alumni, friends and families on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. until dusk. Moore said it's "bring your own everything." The park's snack shack, carousel and railroad will be open. In addition, there are individual reunions planned for the classes of 1949, '59, '69, '79, '89 and '94.

For complete details, contact Alumni Association President Sandy Spafford Moore at 408.354.1512 or thetutoringcompany@svinet.com. For details about "A Night at the Opera," tickets, or to donate items to the auction, contact Auction Chairwoman Susie Tighe at 408.358.6141 or jrtighe@aol.com.