The Crowd: Funds pour in from Speakeasy party
The final fundraising tally for the 2010 O.C. Baron’s Speakeasy summer party has topped $140,500. Chaired by the super dedicated Carol Wilken and Kay Burra, the 12th annual event, to raise money for the fight against cancer in Orange County, unfolded at the Crevier Classic Car Barn adjacent to John Wayne Airport.
More than 200 guests, many in 1920s attire, in keeping with the party theme, enjoyed catering by Soiree amid the magnificent automobiles housed in the warehouse. Auctioneer Charles Dreyer pushed the live auction merchandise while the crowd checked out a massive silent auction to boot.
Enjoying the sounds of Bobby Mustos and the Sidecar Jazz were party organizers Margo Ferris, Connie Cruz, Nancy and Bob Johnston, Anne Moore, Barbara Steinberg, Paul Kamholz, David and Betty Comegys and Susan Ballou.
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On Aug. 28, the crowd, more than 350 people that is, headed to the Santa Ana Zoo. It was the best turnout for Zoofari, now in its 18th year. The 2010 fundraising gala under the chairmanship of Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and Ed Arnold netted $100,000 to be used for zoo improvement projects.
Sponsored by FOSAZ (Friends of Santa Ana Zoo), the nonprofit has supported the zoo for more than 30 years. Its commitment has made all the difference for the community and more importantly for the residents of the zoo.
This year’s party was billed as “Hot Egyptian Nights,” and keeping tradition alive, the arriving crowd was greeted once again with a signature cocktail for the evening. What else but … Cleopatra’s Kiss!
Catering was in the hands of Parties by Panache. Music provided by “Class of ‘69” and an amazing silent and live auction helped to raise the financial bar.
The honored guest of the night was O.C. Register columnist Frank Mickedeit. An ardent zoo supporter, he has even spent three days and nights in a cage creating a webcam documentary.
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South Coast Plaza joined with the Orange County Performing Arts Center to welcome cast and crew of the Bolshoi Ballet to Orange County. A smashing Monday luncheon at one of the most exceptional bistros on the California Riviera, Marché Moderne, brought together some of the most talented dancers, choreographers, producers and costume designers in the world of dance. They are calling the performances “Reflections,” set to premiere in Costa Mesa on Jan. 20 to 23, 2011. The dance company will then return to Moscow to perform “Reflections” Jan. 27 to 30.
Debra Gunn Downing, South Coast Plaza’s executive director of marketing, and Terry Dwyer, president of the Performing Arts Center, welcomed the crowd, which included distinguished producer Sergei Danilian and costume designer Igor Chapurin. Female stars of the upcoming premiere and members of the Bolshoi Company included Natalia Osipova, Yekaterina Krysanova, and Yekaterina Shipulina.
Their male counterparts, Alexander Volchkov, Vyacheslav Lopatin, Denis Savin and Ivan Vasiliev all enjoyed the welcome luncheon at long banquet tables placed on the Marché terrace that were adorned with red-velvet summer blooms in low glass square vases.
The O.C. Performing Arts Center has become nationally recognized as a center of dance. Also in the crowd, the center’s driving artistic programming force, Judith Morr, its executive vice president, hobnobbed with members of the Russian delegation. For more information, visit OCPAC.org or call (714) 556-2787.
