Art for AIDS here again
EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Last year’s “Art for AIDS: A Tribute to Rock Hudson” was a huge
success at Laguna Art Museum. It was a benefit that raised funds for
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County and Laguna Art Museum. The
experience was almost surreal for me, to see Elizabeth Taylor and
Michael Jackson just a few feet away as I was snapping photos. I got
some great shots of Taylor, Jackson and Penny Marshall. I was
thrilled that they came to Laguna Beach to help raise funds to
benefit the two organizations.
This year’s event will be Saturday and is promising an even bigger
crowd. Therefore, it has been moved to a bigger venue -- the St.
Regis in Monarch Bay. The celebrity guest list has been enhanced.
Besides Taylor, Jackson and Marshall, guests will include Warren
Beatty, Annette Bening, Tom Petty, Barry Manilow, Susanne Sommers and
Carrie Fisher. Not a bad way to use your celebrity.
Even Gov. Gray Davis will be part of it all when he proclaims
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, “Dame Elizabeth Taylor Day” in the state of
California. Taylor will be honored for her commitment in the fight
against AIDS and her powerful role in developing government policy
and expanding the government’s response to the epidemic.
There are two ways of enjoying the event. There’s a private gala
dinner with the celebrities at $2,000 a person, with hors d’oeuvres
starting at 5:30 p.m. and dinner donated by Laguna’s Mark’s
Restaurant. After the dinner, guests will join the celebration and
evening program with the celebrity guests.
The other way to enjoy the evening is at the Pacific Ballroom
Celebration, which is $135 per person. It will feature live
entertainment by Robert Kyle’s Brazilian Band, a high-end buffet
catered by 230 Forest, Five Feet, Sundried Tomato Cafe and Catering
and Marks, as well as an invitation to the main festivities to mingle
with celebrities and other guests. The main event is scheduled to
commence at 9 p.m. There will also be a live and silent auction. Last
year, some of Rock Hudson’s crochet work was bid upon, as well as
celebrity signed T-shirts and work from famous artists. There were
some pretty amazing items available.
It’s definitely an event not to be missed, and I hope, as they did
last year, that a lot of Lagunans attend. Information: 809-8760.
BROADWAY IN LAGUNA
The ever-talented No Square Theatre group is putting on “The World
Goes Round” the songs of Tony Award winning Kander and Ebb, who have
had the longest running music partnership in Broadway musical
history. Songs from the shows “Chicago,” “Funny Lady,” “Cabaret” and
other Broadway greats will be performed by the talented cast. At a
rehearsal, it was amazing to listen and watch these talented
performers do their thing -- what incredible ability to sing, dance
and put on a show. It was wonderful chatting with the cast and it’s
always a delight to listen to the razor sharp wit and intelligence of
Bree Burgess Rosen. The show is at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at the
Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave. Tickets are $20. Information:
497-1950.
BRINGING OUT THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE IN CONCERT
The Laguna Beach Community Concert Band will perform a free
patriotic concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Laguna Beach High
School’s Artists’ Theatre at 625 Park Ave. The concert is an American
music program and will include Native-American flute prodigy Evren
Ozan, 9, performing with Native-American drummer Greg White. The Pat
Kollenda Women’s Barbershop Chorus will be another highlight, as will
the American Legion Post 222 color guard’s presentation of the
colors, followed by the “Star Spangled Banner.” What a great way to
spend a Sunday afternoon, enjoying some talented musicians.
COMMUNITY DAYS AT GINA’S
Gina’s in the Pavilions Boat Canyon Center reopened Wednesday
offering its famous pizzas and a new dinner menu.
The newly remodeled restaurant still smells of oregano, tomato
sauce and baking bread. Owner Alex Costa and director of operations
Tony Lia are excited about the full-service dining room space, where
diners can enjoy an evening menu featuring steak, fish and chicken
dishes. The restaurant also offers a full dessert menu, espresso and
cappuccino drinks, and an expanded wine list with California and
Italian wines all priced below $20.
When Costa opened his first Laguna location 22 years ago, he knew
he had struck gold. With firm convictions about protecting the ocean
and a love of the community, he and his team have been more than
generous with food donations and sponsorships.
But Costa is expanding that generosity by offering Wednesday
Community Days. For every pizza sold at the Boat Canyon and Oak
Street locations, Gina’s will donate $1 to a local nonprofit. The
Clean Water Now! Coalition will be the beneficiary this month and in
March.
“I wanted to spread the love around,” Costa said. “Now with this
location, everyone in Laguna can participate.”
Families can save on Sunday, anyone can super-size a pizza at no
extra cost on Monday and pasta and wine lovers get a special deal on
Tuesday.
Gina’s is at 610 N. Coast Highway in the Pavilions Boat Canyon
Center and at 1100 S. Coast Highway at the Village Faire Shopping
Center. The north Laguna location can be reached at 497-4421; in
South Laguna, 494-4342.
* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline
Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.