Benefit of star power

Suzie Harrison

When the former president of Laguna Art Museum’s board of trustees,

Jack Kenefick, was contemplating ways to bridge the community and the

museum, no one could know that the event he helped create for that

purpose would be such a success.

In the three year’s since its inception, Art for AIDS has raised

about half a million dollars with hopes of raising $400,000 at this

year’s event, Feb. 7 at St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa.

“I was president of Laguna Art Museum, and at that time, my good

friend Dr. Arnold Klein was on the board,” Kenefick said. “I had

expressed that one of my goals as president was to extend the museum

beyond its walls, bring the museum and the community closer

together,” Kenefick said.

One night at dinner, the idea to have an event with celebrities to

benefit both the museum and AIDS was born.

“AIDS because it has decimated the art world and the city, it has

affected both so much,” Kenefick said. “I thought the benefit would

bring a lot of people together and do a lot of good.”

The celebrity guest list has had a lot of star power every year,

with this year’s list including Sharon Stone, Penny Marshall, Bob

Dylan, Jackson Browne, Cher, Merv Griffin, artist Billy Al Bengsten

and a special live concert by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The concert is in dedication to the memory of the brother of

Petty’s wife, Dana -- Stephen Cy Costick, who died of the disease in

1993.

“He’s really excited about doing it, it’s a big deal, his wife’s

family is flying in,” Kenefick said. “It’s bringing his family

together, a reunion concert for Stephen -- it makes it a special

event.”

He said he thinks that people, especially in Laguna Beach, already

know how devastating AIDS is to the world and how it affects lives.

“It’s things like this that make people more aware of the AIDS

issue,” Kenefick said. “It also raises significant amounts of money

for both organizations and creates new collaborations and friends

that had never existed before.”

He said that they are almost sold out and were even before the

invitations went out.

“We have 850 seats, and at this point [Tuesday], we have 150 to

sell,” Kenefick said.

In addition to this year’s parties and concert, an auction of

artworks and celebrity items will be held.

“We have a lot of celebrity memorabilia: one of Cher’s gowns from

Bob Mackie, some incredible artwork, some wonderful trips and

possibly a piece of Elvis’ collection.”

Last year, Tom Petty’s autographed Fender guitar and a pair of

Elizabeth Taylor’s shoes were up for bid.

Before the concert, guests will have several options to choose

from.

At the private dinner party, guests will dine and socialize with

the celebrities in the exclusive St. Regis Club 19, starting with

cocktails. Delicious cuisine will be served by Mark’s catering in

Laguna. Each guest will receive an original work created especially

for the event by world-renowned artist Bengsten. Seats are $2,500 per

person.

Another option is the ballroom dinner party, beginning with

cocktails and a buffet dinner provided by six top Orange County

restaurants. Table prices are from $1,500 to $10,000 and include a

variety of benefits. A limited number of single dinner seats are also

available at $375 per person.

The third choice is the cocktail party starting at 8 p.m. in the

St. Regis Monarch Ballroom Rotunda. This option with seats to the

concert is $235 per person.

“Most important in terms of putting this together -- it couldn’t

have happened without the St. Regis, who is the main sponsor,”

Kenefick said. “They’re stepping up and have been eager to help us

after everyone else turned us down.”

Jim Kelley, director of marketing for the St. Regis Monarch Beach

Resort and Spa, said he’s thrilled to be a part of the cause.

“I am on the Board of Trustees for Laguna Art Museum,” Kelley

said. “The event provides high visibility as well as an international

focus on the community.”

He said that St. Regis has donated meeting facilities/ballrooms,

accommodations, restaurants, food and coordination of the event and

that they are pleased to be contributing to Art for AIDS.

“We feel that it is extremely important for a property such as

ours to give to the community,” Kelley said. “It gives us the perfect

opportunity to not only be involved in the art community, but to also

give to a humanitarian cause.”

After the bidding for the silent auction and the parties, all

guests will be seated in the ballroom for the 9 p.m. live auction and

program with celebrity guests. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will

then give their “Concert for Stephen.”

For more information or tickets, call the Laguna Art Museum at

(949) 494-8971, ext. 207 or AIDS Services Foundation Orange County at

(949) 809-8768.