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.
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