THE CROWD

B.W. Cook

Michael York will headline the “Celebrity Series,” sponsored by The

Crescendo Chapter of The Guilds of The Orange County Performing Arts

Center. York will address the crowd Nov. 8 at the Orange County High

School of the Arts.

The actor is a graduate of Oxford University and holds an honorary

doctorate in fine arts from the University of South Carolina. The

Crescendo Chapter of The Guilds, founded in 1981, sponsors this respected

series, open to the public at a cost of $25 at the door. Funds raised

benefit the Center.

Call Barbara Sorenson at (714) 771-4679 to reserve your ticket.

Another fine actor, Elizabeth Taylor, her pal Michael Jackson and

Sarah Ferguson, princess of York, are expected to grace the Orange Coast

as honored guests of the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County.

Allison Cato reports that organizers, including board President Al

Roberts and Vice President Karen Ellis, are planning a gala tribute to

the late Rock Hudson.

The movie actor, who defined American masculinity on screen for three

decades before revealing his homosexuality and HIV-positive status,

maintained a home on Lido Isle. Hudson was part of the Newport-Hollywood

connection, often seen about town in local restaurants or out on the bay

in everything from a dinghy to a mega yacht.

The evening, set for Feb. 9, will be held at The Laguna Art Museum and

is being called Art for AIDS, A Tribute to Rock Hudson. Taylor, Jackson

and Ferguson will mix with local stars at a major pre-event dinner to be

held at a private home. Donations will start at $2,500 per person. The

cost of attending the event is $125, and the stars will be there as well.

Call (949) 809-5700 for more information.

* * *

Publicity Chairwoman Lynn McAlister is working feverishly with fellow

organizers of the Corona del Mar High School Home Tour, set for Tuesday.

Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza once again joined forces to host a

pre-tour luncheon at Cafe Jardin at the Sherman Library & Gardens last

week for all the generous homeowners and participants.

Others involved in supporting the effort are Barclay Butera of the

Butera Home Collection in Newport Beach, Pacific Bay Homes and One Ford

Road.

Five handsome homes -- including locations on Balboa Island, One Ford

Road, Harbor View, and Shorecliffs -- will be presented along with a

luncheon served at Cafe Jardin for participants. Tickets are $50, with a

continental breakfast reception and luncheon as part of the package.

Funds raised will support supplementary academic enrichment programs,

especially art and music, at Corona del Mar middle and high schools. The

home tour ticket hotline number is (949) 733-4161.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.