Social competition propels Sound of Music Guild

Do you understand the power of social competition?

First, grasp the concept: Social competition is the relationship

between people of similar purpose and mind-set competing for, or

simply working toward, common goals while seeking to elevate

themselves or their purpose within the context of “the group,” “the

community” or “the family.”

I suppose that the negative terminology of “social climbing” is

one result of the “social competition” model. On the positive side,

the money raised for charitable purposes is often fueled by social

maneuvering and engineering.

Last week at Pelican Hill, a mid-week dinner thrown for patrons of

the Sound of Music Guild in support of the Orange County Performing

Arts Center proved to be a shining example of the positive results of

the social competition model.

Some 100 Newport-Mesa guests raised more than $115,000 to

underwrite the upcoming Sound of Music gala to be held Saturday

evening at The Four Seasons Hotel, Newport. As a result of the

underwriting success, The Orange County Performing Arts Center will

be the recipient of a six-figure donation from the guild.

The party, being called “Passport to Havana,” promises to be one

of the “big nights” on the town this season. Thank you very much to

social competition.

The Sound of Music Guild has always taken a “high profile” route.

The members are prominent, business savvy, mostly 30-something and

upwardly mobile. They dress for success, and they are competitive.

The competitive spirit ups the bidding at society auctions, and it

also creates momentum for donations.

“We were a bit worried this year, given the economy and the threat

of war,” said Tracy Martin, a beautiful blond Newport resident and

active guild patroness. “But guess what? The funding has been coming

in, even without major solicitation. We received another $5,000 check

in the mail today.”

And the event is sold out. So much for a rough economy.

So why does the guild enjoy such success in tougher times? Credit

goes to underwriting chairs Kelly Hague, Stacy Von Berg and Caroline

Jones. The Sound of Music chapter Chairs Patsy Marshall and Carol

Dalton have worked relentlessly to bring in the money, the members

and send the message that an association with the Center is vital to

the community and a worthwhile social involvement for local couples

interested in getting “involved.”

Jerry Mandel, president and chief operating officer of the Center,

was on hand for the evening with his charming bride, Whitney. Mandel

was pleased with the financial success of the guild and shared his

plans for the future.

“The Center is committed to education,” Mandel said. “We plan to

have 500,000 Orange County school children attend Center performances

each year. For many, it will be their only association with the

performing arts experience.”

Applause filled the elegant Pelican Hill dining room as Four

Seasons staff served a Cuban-themed dinner of spicy Mojo Puerco Asado

(roasted pork tenderloin), accompanied by warm mango-avocado salsa

and Moroy y Christianos (beans and rice). For dessert, a Cuban

“drunk” pound cake called Cake Embirraohado, topped with a rum glaze,

made the crowd truly experience “the Cuban beat.”

The big event this Saturday is being produced by Kimberley

Feinberg and Beth Hart, with the grand auction duties in the hands of

Danni Good, Pamela Lowery and Cyndie Lingerfelter.

From the auction description list, the only thing missing is an

all-expense-paid trip to the moon. Caroline Jones of Cartier, South

Coast Plaza, is a major underwriter, furnishing patrons with lavish

gifts. Alfred Dunhill will provide a cigar testing bar as guests

arrive in Cuban-theme attire that will no doubt include everything

from mobsters to movie stars to revolutionaries.

Locals providing major support for the evening include Pelican

Point’s handsome couple Sally and Randy Crockett, Kelly and John

Hagne, and Center board Chairman Paul Folino and his wife, Daranne.

* THE CROWD runs Thursday and Saturday.