Walk sprightly from event to event

SUZIE HARRISON

There’s not much to complain about with the coming of fall -- the

crispness that adds liveliness to the air -- but one aspect I’d like

to see changed is the double booking of enticing events.

It’s disappointing to have to pick and choose one over another. It

would be nice to see these events spread out for everyone to enjoy

with more communication between the different organizations. In

creating an entire community calendar everybody wins.

In the meantime, here’s some of the fall happenings on the

horizon.

DEBILZAN EVENT FOR KIDNEY FOUNDATION

Diane DeBilzan Gallery is hosting a retrospective show of William

DeBilzan’s work, “Paintings from the Past,” from 7 to 9 p.m. today to

benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California.

This benefit show will feature works for sale that represent all

stages of DeBilzan’s career and will exhibit through Oct. 10.

Not only do I groove on William DeBilzan’s work -- gallery owner

Diane DeBilzan is one of the nicest people in town. She always has a

smile on her face and is a pleasure to be around. She is also a

philanthropist that hosts many benefits throughout the year for

different causes.

Diane DeBilzan Gallery is at 224 Forest Ave. For information about

this fundraiser or to make a donation, call (949) 494-5757.

‘LOST VEGAS’ FOR ASF

It’s not too late to purchase tickets for Saturday’s AIDS Services

Foundation Orange County’s popular fundraiser “World’s Fair,” at the

Festival of Arts grounds.

This year they are going with a “Splash” style musical spoof,

“Lost Vegas.” The event is a highlight people look forward to every

year.

Event co-chair and entertainment director Ken Jillson showed his

talent as he had the cast rehearse last week.

They practice at Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima’s Arch Beach

Heights home, which is breathtaking. Outside, next to the pool and

fire pit, an expansive patio provided phenomenal views.

Porterfield and Chadima are happy to let the cast rehearse at

their house and are also major donors to AIDS Services Foundation

Orange County.

Shawn Hoctor, 22, was rehearsing for his second performance with

the cast.

“I was so impressed by this big production and wanted to be in it

because they do such a great job,” Hoctor said.

Liza Bugarin has been in the show many times as a dancer and is

one of the choreographers this year.

“I got in touch with Tod Kubo, I’ve known him since high school,”

Bugarin said. “I have been choreographing at Laguna Beach High School

since 1999, but I left the past two years because I was touring with

“Miss Saigon.”

Marla McReynolds is the other choreographer and they have been

working together for a while.

“It’s good -- it’s interesting, I’ve been in ‘Splash’ for so long

just to be part of the creative side is a great privilege,”

McReynolds said.

Laguna Beach High School sophomore, Charles Moorthart, 15 has been

involved with the show since he was 11-years-old.

“I had gone to see the shows before and had friends in it,”

Moorthart said. “It really looked fun, I met Ken [Jillson] and

auditioned. I like the fact that everyone in the cast has grown so

close over the years. I also like performing the play itself -- it’s

fun being in that atmosphere.”

Jillson said that this year’s show starts where the last one left

off with video clips of “The Producers.” It links it from New York to

Las Vegas. He said the audience should love the parody of all these

crazy numbers they perform to.

The make-up company MAC contributes $15,000 to $20,000 and is

sending 25 make-up artists who volunteer to do the make-up for 34

cast members for the show.

Jillson said that AIDS funding has been cut drastically, while the

numbers of people infected is rising. Now more than ever it’s

important to help families in Orange County who are affected.

“You can bet it’s for a great cause -- we really need to raise

money,” Jillson said. “It’s a very serious issue. Yes, it’s fun and a

joy but it’s really all done with the best intentions in mind to help

people.”

“World’s Fair Lost Vegas” starts with a cocktail reception at 6:30

p.m. and the buffet dinner starts at 8 p.m. donated by restaurant

Sundried Tomato. At 9 p.m., the program starts with an auction and

the musical show.

General admission is $250 with major donor tickets ranging from

$1,200 to $25,000. For tickets or information, call (949) 809-8766 or

(949) 580-2021 or online got to https://www.ocasf.org.

GET OUT THE TEA AND HONEY

The Laguna Beach Film Society wants locals to start practicing

their in-public singing voice and don a costume to a free sing-along

at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Heisler Park.

The Film Society will be showing the original film “Sound of

Music” with Laguna Tunes’ community chorus leading the assembled

“cast” of moviegoers through the musical score made famous by Julie

Andrews.

‘FIRST SUNDAYS’ READY TO SHINE

Before you head to the sing-along at Heisler Park, Laguna College

of Art and Design will host the season opener of “First Sundays” from

2 to 4:30 p.m.

This event pairs a concert with an art exhibit. It includes “A

Passion for Paint--Gallery and Illustration work of Gregory Manchess

Exhibit Exhibition” and the Tom Hynes Trio which will perform jazz

versions of classic American popular songs, presented by Laguna Beach

Live! from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The event is free with complimentary parking at Laguna College,

2222 Laguna Canyon Road. For information call (939) 376-6000 ext.

233.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 494-4321 or

suzie.harrison@latimes.com.