Loggins by candlelight at Center fund-raiser

A 1959 Cadillac convertible, white with red leather seats, top

down, greeted patrons of the 2002 Candlelight Concert at the front

door of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. It was nothing less

than a kitsch interpretation of Santa’s sleigh.

Many in the arriving crush of some 500 major donors to the Center

posed for a photograph in front of the sleigh before entering for a

dazzling evening.

Candlelight Concert, now 29 years running, is a tradition started

by founding patron Tom Moon in a empty Kresge store in a mall, where

patrons were served a spaghetti dinner. Some in the glittering

black-tie crowd remembered the simpler times, while others could not

even imagine the way it used to be.

Chaired by the very lovely and talented Marsha Anderson, attending

the gala dressed in a spectacular French couture gown on the arm of

her dashing husband, Darrel Anderson, the Candlelight Concert was

considered by many to be the best event of the year on the Orange

Coast.

Anderson and co-chair Elizabeth Tierney, who will rise to the task

of chairmanship in 2003, placed a major emphasis on fun this season,

taking what has in recent memory been a very glamorous evening and

adding a number of ingredients to make the party swing.

The evening began with the customary cocktail reception on the

second tier of the Center foyer with creative holiday decorations

putting everyone in the proper mood to mingle.

Patrons Pat and Richard Allen, Roberta and Howard Ahmanson,

Barbara and Alex Bowie, Karen and Michael Carroll, Sally and Randy

Crockett, Eleanor and Michael Gordon, Ninetta and Gavin Herbert, Dr.

Howard House and Elizabeth Colyear Vincent, Jeri and Danny McKenna

and Irene and William Mathews shared holiday cheer.

As the Center bells chimed, the dedicated ushers in their burgundy

blazers opened the doors for the patrons to be seated in Segerstrom

Hall and partake in a private concert delivered by singer/songwriter

Kenny Loggins and his band.

Loggins began his career with former partner Jim Messina and

rocketed to fame in the early 1970s with hits that included “Love

Song” and “Your Momma Don’t Dance.” Loggins struck out on his own in

1976, recording such songs as “Footloose,” “Whenever I Call You

Friend,” and “Heart To Heart.”

Loggins and his band rocked Segerstrom Hall with these and other

songs familiar to most of the audience. By the end of the very

personal hour-and-a-quarter concert, Loggins had many of the patrons

dancing in their seats.

As enjoyable as it was, my instincts as social observer cannot

help but point out the incongruity of a rock performance with the

star performer wearing a white silk T-shirt and an audience dressed

to kill in black tie and ball gowns. I remember being a teenager

watching performers like Loggins and wondering how the whole pop rock

genre would evolve in 30 or 40 years.

The 40 years has passed, Loggins and the rest of us are pushing

middle age and, as wonderful as the energy of his concert was, it was

quite odd given the occasion and the attire of the crowd. Many people

just did not know how to respond to the performance.

However, in good spirit and in support of the Center, everyone

joined in the fun and rallied with the Loggins concert as it

crescendoed to higher levels of musical excitement.

This is an observation only about the conflicting values, ideals

and lifestyles of our society. It is in no way a criticism of either

Loggins or the Candlelight Concert, for it was an evening of fun,

frolic and fabulous food. Only, a simple upgrade of wardrobe by the

star would have set a more appropriate tone.

As the curtain rose in Segerstrom Hall after the performance,

which received a standing ovation, the fantasy dinner creation was

revealed, and gasps and sighs were heard throughout the cavernous

Center.

Talented designer and patron Pat Rypinski chaired the decor for

the evening, enlisting the assistance of stage designer Jim Mees and

tabletop and floral expert Andrew Gromek to create a spectacular

setting for the donor dinner.

A forest of white sparkling holiday trees hung upside-down from

the rafters like a flock of iridescent chandeliers.

The tables were laden with silk cloths in hues of blue and green,

featuring blue velvet roses. Artful centerpieces combined elements of

nature and the creations of artisans -- pinecones and Christmas balls

-- in a remarkable assemblage that rose from the center of the table

supporting candlelight at its center.

Blue satin napkins were specially made for the occasion, with

cobalt blue and emerald green etched and cut crystal at each place

setting awaiting white-gloved waiters from the Four Seasons pouring

Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay, Blanc de Noir and Dunnewood Cabernet

Sauvignon.

The dinner, created and served by the Four Seasons’ executive chef

Michel Pieton, was nothing short of remarkable. Even the “best of the

best” hotel chefs have a challenge serving 500 meals. This dinner was

so exceptional, it felt as if each table, each guest, was being

served exclusively.

It began with a peeled red tomato stuffed with crab and avocado

coulis and spicy Tabiko caviar. Watercress soup proceeded an entree

of rack of lamb. Baked Alaska was served for dessert, complete with

brandied cherries.

The pastry chef should take a bow, it was magnificent.

The party came to life instantly with the dance music of The Art

Deco Orchestra on stage, inviting the crowd to experience their own

version of “Footloose.”

Table-hopping, then a little dancing and dining, was the call for

generous patrons Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom, Paul and Daranne

Folino, Jean and Timothy Weiss, Gail and Roger Kirwan, Mark and

Barbara Johnson, Carole and Robert Follman, Ronnie and Byron

Allumbaugh, Nora and Jim Johnson, Arnold and Debbie Simon, Joyce and

Tom Tucker, Sheila and Ygal Sonenshine, Anne and Rich Keller, Lori

and Liam McGee, Patti and Jim Edwards, Cerise Feeley and Cynthia

Nolet.

The next evening, the concert and the party enjoyed a reprise

under the auspices of what is known as “Candlelight Encore.”

Chaired by Gini Robins and co-chaired by Beth Hallett, with

support from a committee including Donna Collett, Jan Landstrom,

Darrellyn Melilli, Jean Moon, Tom Moon and Wendy Aversano, the

evening began with cocktails in The Center Room, and continues with

dinner in Founders Hall and the Loggins concert in Segerstrom Hall.

By the end of the weekend, more than $1 million had been raised to

support The Center. Bravo!

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.