THE CROWD:Enthusiastic reception for ballet show

The Orange County Performing Arts Center has become a regional magnet for dance performance. Patrons routinely travel from Los Angeles, San Diego and the desert region to experience the recitals that are an important segment of the arts center’s season.

Last week, the performing arts center welcomed the exclusive Southern California engagement of the Hamburg Ballet’s “The Lady of the Camellias and Death in Venice,” which thrilled audience members — some of whom recalled the company’s spectacular West Coast debut in 2004. Ballet magazine wrote, “Never have I seen such avid enthusiasm in a dance audience. The standing ovations seemed to last forever.”

The incomparable artistry of the Hamburg Ballet, which is directed and choreographed by American-born John Neumeier, did indeed command lengthy standing ovations from appreciative patrons in Orange County.

Among the crowd enjoying the opening night reception in the Center Room were Michelle Rohe, Mary Roosevelt, Sharon and Bruno Lebon, Catherine Beatty, Kay Fukunaga, Dale Cangiano, Susan and Tim Strader, Ellen and Edmund Olivier de Vezin, Linda and Bob Thauer, Judy Fluor Runnels, Mary and Richard Cramer, and Bill Gillespie.

It was casino night on behalf of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, and the very high and charitable rollers of the Orange County turned out, joining the Ducks of Anaheim for an evening of blackjack, craps and roulette for a cause.

Specifically, Corona del Mar’s Henry and Susan Samueli organized the party to expand support of an auxiliary of Orangewood known as 44 Women 4 Children. The group, founded by Samueli and partners, funds educational goals for young adults emancipated at 18 by the California foster care system. This is a hands-on group making a real difference in lives that need a real hand.

The formidable Samueli reach brought in the celebrity status of their hockey team, the Ducks, to increase the visibility of 44 Women 4 Children and provide the community an opportunity to rub elbows with some of their favorite local athletic stars.

They called the party Rum, Rumba and Roulette and enlisted the sponsorship of Merrill Lynch to help bring in the crowd and the dollars to support student scholarships.

Honda Center was transformed by the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino staff, who set up shop in the big arena. Cuban cuisine was the food of choice as Porto Habana cigars were puffed and Bacardi Mojitos flowed. VIP ticket holders paid $500 to party in the High Rollers Lounge and check out the Tropicana Club setup on premises.

Spotted in the crowd were Sherri Andersen, Lupe and Don Irwin, Sandy and Doug Jackson, Mitch and Lori Junkins, Lee and Bruce Glover, Peggy Holt, Mia Patterson, Maureen Armstrong, George Parros, Roseanne Levan, Randy Carlyle and Brian Burke to name a few.

The Roosters will be crowing Sunday at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel as the Culinary Masters of Orange County holds a rare and premium wine auction and gourmet dining experience. It’s all to benefit Orange County Children’s Charities supported by the Roosters, a men’s fraternal and charitable group. Newport Coast celeb chef Jamie Gwen will emcee the party that will be hosted by renowned chefs Pascal Olhats of Pascals, Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose, and Christian Rassinoux and Joel Harrington of Restaurant 162 at the Ritz Carlton. A major participation list of the best restaurants on the coast are slated to serve their fine fare.

Some of the restaurants included are Chat Noir, French 75, Mr. Stox, Pinot Provance, Roy’s, Sage, the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, the Loft at Montage Resort, and Zov’s Bistro.

For last-minute reservations and more information, please call the Culinary Masters Event office at (949) 706-7613.