National Ballet of China feted at gala

The National Ballet of China included Costa Mesa as one of four

destinations in North America, recently concluding a week-long

performance of “Raise the Red Lantern” at the Orange County

Performing Arts Center.

The cast, crew and a number of local arts patrons were feted at a

reception hosted by South Coast Plaza executives in the Atelier

Dining Room. Some 175 guests mingled with Chinese dignitaries

including director Zhang Yimou, whose career includes the critically

acclaimed “House of Flying Daggers,” “Hero” and “Shanghai Triad.”

Zhong Jianhua, consul general of the People’s Republic of China,

and his wife Huang Minxuan, the deputy director of the National

Ballet of China, were in attendance for the gala reception. They were

joined by Peter Shi, secretary of the National Ballet of China, and

were graciously welcomed by Judith Morr, interim president of the

Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Local support for the event came from Don Murray -- CEO of

Resources Global Professionals -- Ruth Ding, Ben Du, Yong Chen and Su

Yang.

South Coast Plaza representative Werner Escher reflected on the

expanding global reach and international image of the O.C., the

Performing Arts Center and its partnership with the lifestyle

offerings of neighboring South Coast Plaza.

Escher said, “The presence of the honorable Zhong Jianhua and his

wife Huang Minxuan joins other notables who have set foot on South

Coast Plaza’s doorstep; namely, the King and Queen of Sweden,

Britain’s former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, British royals --

including Princess Ann and Lord Ogilvy -- as well as The Sultan of

Brunei.”

It was a very festive evening in Fashion Island, as Roy’s

celebrated its sixth anniversary on the Orange Coast this past week.

Chef Roy Yamaguchi, namesake of the internationally known restaurant,

jetted in from his home base in Honolulu, Hawaii, to join local celeb

chefs Alan Greeley of the Golden Truffle and Takashi Abe of Bluefin

for a five-course dinner extravaganza that was an overflow sellout.

The Newport-Mesa crowd was greeted with traditional Hawaiian

hospitality as orchid leis were placed on guests. Hawaiian hula

dancers were ever present as the Polynesian drums beat the night

away.

Enjoying the fabulous food, paired with wines from Levendi Estate,

were Newport surf wear royalty Bob and Shelly Hurley with children

Ryan and Brittney. Eve Kornyei and Stan Hanson of Corona del Mar

joined Don Crevier, Laurie Kraus, Milt and Barbie Naylor, Lana Sills

and Kevin Crawford, celeb chef Jamie Gwen, Dr. Lynn Phillips and

family, Cerise Jadwin-Feeley, fish taco baron Wing Lam, and the

stylish Dick Braeger of Cole Haan and Gary’s fame.

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.