The Crowd:

Summer school may be cut given the state’s financial disaster, but it is alive and well at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Students from the Nicholas Academic Centers in downtown Santa Ana and from the campus at Valley High School in Santa Ana are spending their summer being exposed to the performing arts as the result of a special partnership between the two organizations.

The Henry T. Nicholas III Foundation has donated nearly $4 million to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, opening the door to enrichment programs for urban children otherwise not exposed to the classic performing arts, including theater, dance and orchestral music.

Twice-weekly classes are offered in storytelling, contemporary and folk dance, choreography and creative expression. Instructors are part of the Performing Arts Center’s “Art Teach” Program.

In addition to classroom study, the students have multiple opportunities to attend performances at the center that often include educational sessions with both cast and crew members. For many of the students, this is their first experience with live theatrical performance.

“The ability to create and be moved by the arts is a uniquely human gift,” said Henry T. Nicholas III. “I wanted to build on our long-standing relationship with the Orange County Performing Arts Center by forging a strategic partnership with the Nicholas Academic Centers that will enrich the cultural lives of disadvantaged inner city students.”

The Nicholas Academic Centers were founded two years ago and are run by retired Judge Jack Mandel. The centers provide free tutoring and mentoring along with in-depth computer training and academic enrichment courses housed in a safe environment that promotes study, personal responsibility and growth.

Nicholas added, “Motivated students in urban areas face many cultural and environmental obstacles. The centers were established to help these kids realize the dream of higher education. This is the greatest crossroads of their lives.”

Terry Dwyer, president of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, put the program in very straightforward terms: “As school budgets come under pressure, arts programs often feel the cuts first. Innovative partnerships like this one demonstrate the importance in keeping the arts part of a well-rounded education.”

Dwyer went on to say, “The Nicholas Academic Centers meet a vital need in helping students expand their horizons and realize their full potential.”

Coming Aug. 21, the students will be invited to a performance of “Fiddler On The Roof” underwritten by the Nicholas Academic Centers. For more information, go to www.ocpac.org.

A very special summer outing is just around the corner, slated for Aug. 22 at the Santa Ana Zoo.

The 2009 “Zoofari,” which organizers are calling “Funky Monkey,” is being presented once again by the Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo.

This will be the 17th year Zoofari has helped raise funds to support the local animal kingdom.

“Funky Monkey” will be co-chaired by KOCE television anchor Ed Arnold and Orange County philanthropist Sandy Segerstrom Daniels.

The Saturday evening soirée will begin with sunset cocktails, zoo tours, entertainment and the all-important silent auction. Dinner, dancing and live auction follow under the stars.

This year, the zoo will honor the Del Oro Pacific Large Scale Modular Railroad, the Santa Ana Elks Lodge No. 794 and society publicist Lana Chandler all for their dedication over many years of supporting the Santa Ana Zoo.

Organizers hope to attract a crowd of more than 500 guests and anticipate raising more than $100,000. Tickets are $200 per person.

For reservations and more information, call (714) 953-8555, ext. 10 or visit www.santaanazoo.org.

One of the fabulous summer outings on the Orange Coast is a night at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The mission sponsors a series of musical evenings under the stars that the crowd calls a most romantic experience.

Tonight, guests will be treated to a musical tribute to Neil Diamond performed by baritone Dean Colley and his band. Mission organizers are calling the party “Hot August Night.” Colley will take the crowd back to Neil Diamond’s 1970s stage shows.

It all takes place in the spectacular ambience of the Mission courtyard, with guests arriving at sunset enjoying dinner picnics prior to the concert.

There are two more summer concerts remaining. The first one is set for Aug. 22 and will feature a group known as Alturas performing the music and dance of the Andes.

Then on Sept. 5, the Fab Four will perform the ultimate tribute to the Beatles. There may be some last-minute tickets available for tonight’s show as well as for Alturas and the Fab Four.

Reserved seating is available for parties of six to 10 people per table, with ticket prices ranging from $30 to $40 per person. There is also general admission lawn seating with tickets priced at $20 to $25. For special event information, call (949) 234-1315.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.