THE CROWD:

Mission San Juan Capistrano’s “Romantico” raised more than $230,000 to benefit the preservation of the Mission’s south wing. Last Friday evening the Newport-Mesa social crowd joined with advocates of California history and citizens embracing the spiritual path of the old Mission. They joined for the annual gala dinner celebration, a major financial underpinning of the ongoing restoration and preservation efforts.

More than 550 guests attired in end-of-summer finery gathered under the stars for a pre-concert reception fronted by honorary chairwoman Erma Jean Tracy, representing her family’s foundation, the Thomas J. Tracy and Erma Jean Tracy Family Foundation. Following the reception the crowd was escorted by men ringing bells into the great stone church to enjoy a concert performance by tenor Michael Amante.

Post concert, the Ritz Carlton Hotel Laguna Niguel served a four-course dinner that began with saffron garlic soup and was followed by a salad of exotic greens topped with prawns, and a main course of filet mignon.

Dessert was a white-chocolate mousse and almond-orange tart. Wines were provided by generous donor Southern Wine and Spirits.

The dining tables were created in a Spanish theme, dressed in red linens overlaid with sequined Chantilly black lace, accented with black crushed velvet napkins, red votive candles and tall silver and bronze candelabras.

Centerpieces were created by Rick Breckon,who also happens to be the man in charge of the Ritz Carlton floral department.

Breckon and staff created an artistic arrangement of five custom-made boxes filled with an assortment of flowers including roses, hydrangeas, succulents and natural flora including berries and other inspired greenery. A Spanish flamenco musical group played through dinner.

Major support for the evening came from Priscilla and Dick Marconi, Melinda and Tony Moiso, Maria and Arturo Galindo, Rachel and Jim Everett, Carol and Don Dorkowski, Gaye and Art Birtcher, and Bette and Wylie Aitken. Long-standing major donors also included Mozelle and Myron Sukut and Connie and Peter Spenuzza. Also helping to underwrite the charitable Mission were Eden and George O’Connell, Jan and Warren Siegel, Janet Curci Walsh, Joan Irvine Smith, Gretchen and Brett Thomson, and a host of additional generous local supporters.

The gala committee included Diana Arrigoni, Barbara Beyer, Georgianna Hales, Madeline Swindon and Mozelle Sukut to name only a few. Lula Halfacre of Traditional Jewelers Newport Beach was the major donor of a platinum and 18-karat yellow and rose gold diamond necklace valued at $16,900, which was given to adrawing winner.

Spotted in the crowd were Denny and Michelle Bean of Newport Beach, William and Joan Cvengros, James and Donna DiCesare, Gabriel and Maria Ferrucci, Patrina and Jerry Friede, Nadine and Robert Hall, Mike and Pam Howard, Will and Laura Little, Suzanne and Terry McCardle, Russell and Carol Penniman, Robert and Claudia Redwitz, Gayle Widyolar, and Madeline and Len Zuckerman.

Founded Nov. 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra, Mission San Juan Capistrano was the seventh mission in the chain of 21 California missions established by Spain. It is known as the “jewel” of the missions and is the destination for more than 300,000 guests each year.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.