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.