Fund-raiser or fun-raiser?

Suzie Harrison

Last weekend’s Hunks in Trunks fund-raiser for Laguna’s Shanti AIDS

Resource Center raised more than $28,000.

The fund-raiser spanned five days with events at Madison Square Garden

& Cafe, Peter Blake Gallery, Woody’s at the Beach, the Boom Boom Room and

7 Degrees where they held art openings and auctions, dinner parties, club

events and entertainment.

“It was a tremendously fun event that amazed me in its complexity that

it was so well-executed the first time it was conducted,” said Bob Barnes

director of Laguna Shanti.

“I give the major part of the credit first to Alford Harrison and also

the support of our generous and community minded businesses.”

The gala on Saturday night at 7 Degrees was the main event, which

included a swimsuit and underwear male model fashion show complete with a

runway with scantily clad men showing their stuff for charity. The

winners of the model show were selected to comprise a Laguna Beach

calendar with the proceeds also facilitating Laguna Shanti.

7 Degrees was packed with party-goers outside on the back patios

enjoying food and beverages.

“Everyone I heard from was raving about how great and classy 7 Degrees

is and that they loved the event space,” said Alford Harrison event

coordinator.

The gala included performances by Emmy Award winning comedian Bruce

Vilanch who was the emcee, film star Miss Coco Peru and Universal

recording artist pop dance diva Lisa Frazier.

“I thought it was wonderful how many people came out for such a great

charity,” said Samantha Korshin attendee.

At each of the venues, it was wall-to-wall people with lines outside

the Boom and Woody’s at times.

“It’s the first time in Laguna with something of this scale that

businesses came together in such a way to do such a large event that was

solely community-based,” Harrison said.

Prior to the weekend, Woody’s and the Boom helped raise $15,000. A

live auction of photographs donated by Hollywood photographer Michael

Childers raised an additional $6,600, including a photograph of Andy

Warhol going to author Christopher Rice for $4,000.

There was also a significant impact by Peter Blake Gallery, which was

instrumental to the event and also donated $6,000 to $7,000 expressed.

“This event represents the true fiber of Laguna Beach, it has always

been known for its generous compassion and support,” Barnes said.