THE CROWD:

Show biz dominates the society news this weekend in Newport Beach. If you have seen the blockbuster film “Iron Man,” you will know Nazanin Boniadi.

Of course, you may pronounce her name incorrectly, but you’ll never forget the beautiful raven-haired actress who plays the journalist in the film.

Boniadi is a resident of Newport Coast. In addition to “Iron Man,” Boniadi has been a regular on ABC’s daytime drama “General Hospital,” in addition to a growing list of feature parts on network TV and film.

She is often spotted around Newport wearing the clothes of one of her favorite designers, Rami Kashon, recently featured on “Project Runway” and making a big splash on the international fashion scene. Both are names to watch as their stars continue to rise.

Raised eyebrows were surely common across town as the Balboa Performing Arts Theater threw a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” party at the old Balboa Pavilion. The crowd was very busy doing the “Time Warp” as the film played on a big screen set up in front of the dance floor filled with frolicking freaks attired in costumes befitting the 1970s cult film.

Sponsored by Janet and Walkie Ray, the Sarkisian brothers, Joe De Coma, Brian Day, Gregg Econn, R. Kelly, Shelley and Michael Elam, David Heil, Jo King and Ryan Kelly, the party was part high school dance where the prom king and queen meet creatures from another world.

Also supporting the party and the theater were Ted Mortenson Jr., Kay Mortenson, Debbie and Tom Newmeyer, Anne and John Wortmann, Chris Trela, Nancy and Craig Smith, Yaron Telem, Mark Whitfield and Sue and Steve Tucker, to name only a few.

Publicist to the stars Gloria Zigner, creator and executive producer of the long-running CHOC Follies benefiting Children’s Hospital of Orange County, shared that the show this season added another $500,000 in donations to the hospital. Zigner is already planning next year’s follies with director John Vaughan.

“We have the title and the theme, but it’s still a secret,” she shared Thursday at the 44 Women For Children luncheon at the Balboa Bay Club. Zigner did divulge details of a big star-studded evening set for July 18 on behalf of the International Ocean Conservation Group. Co-chairs of the exclusive party are Ted Danson, Julie Hill and Valarie Whiting. The dinner will honor Harrison Ford, Sam Waterston and John Picard, with proceeds benefiting local ocean conservation groups.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian held its annual movie premiere night at Regal Cinemas’ Edwards Big Newport 6 theater at Fashion Island. More than 1,000 Hoag guests converged upon the theater grounds for dinner and a pre-opening screening of “Get Smart” starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway.

Patti and Jim Edwards were front and center to carry on the tradition they started in 1988 with the help of Warner Bros., which graciously and generously provide a major movie every year for the massive event. Since its inception, more than $1 million has been raised for Hoag, with proceeds from this year’s event benefiting the Hoag Cancer Center.

Co-chaired by Terry Callahan and Rosalie Puleo, the party was a smash, with participating restaurants going over the top to provide an incredible spread in the parking lot prior to the screening. Some of the delicious tastes came from Roy’s, Sabatino’s, Newport Rib Company, Bluewater Grill, Ho Sum Bistro, Britta’s, Muldoon’s, Royal Thai, Turnip Rose, Wildfish Seafood Grille, and the Hyatt Regency, to name only a few.

Supporting the effort were Lynn Cathcart, Janis Dinwiddie, Betty Donellan, John Dugal, Sandra Haskell, Arlene Howard, Eleanor Jaffy and Margaret Lord. Also making a difference for Hoag were Colleen Manchester, Ilona Martin, Olga Megdal-Federova, Gregory Miles, Charlene Prager, Kelli Smith and Margaret Von Tiesenhousen.

Last Saturday evening, I was invited to dinner at the Ritz for an anniversary celebration with family. If you have missed the classic cuisine and traditional comfort of Newport’s elegant dining room, make it a point to spend a summer evening with incredible food and wines and the special entertainment by another classic Newport legend — Jim Roberts.

The piano man made the evening special with renditions from Broadway to pop to rock to you-name-it.

Make sure you check out the Prix Fixe dinner menu.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.