Column: The Crowd: ‘Dancing for Tomorrow’s Stars’ to raise funds for Assistance League of Newport-Mesa

The much-admired local community activist Anne Manassero invited the cast and committee producing the upcoming 10th anniversary of “Dancing for Tomorrow’s Stars” on behalf of the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa to celebrate a pre-event “cast party” in the barn of her family farm in Irvine.

Manassero will also be one of the stars of the 2018 production joining fellow dancers Brianna Becker, Jonathan Curci, Kelly Emmes, Thad Foret and John Long. Each of the community stars will dance with professional partners on the evening of March 17 at City National Grove of Anaheim.

The 10th anniversary party will welcome Laguna Beach resident Heidi Miller serving as honorary chair who will join emcee Bob Miller and a large contingent of Assistance League committee members and volunteers.

Tickets to the dinner event are $250 per person and can be reserved online at www.alnmevents.org or by calling (949) 645-6929.

A beautiful environment reflects an artistic soul

Bobby McAlpine, noted designer, architect, writer and arbiter of the good life came to Newport Beach at the invitation of the Decorative Arts Society (DARTS) to present a lecture based on his recent book, “Poetry of Place.”

The erudite Southern gent grew up in a small sawmill town in rural Alabama and became one of America’s most well-respected designers of the late 20th and now the 21st century. His talent and his expert eye blends the grace of old world tradition with modern sensibility taking into account “regional vernaculars.”

McAlpine runs design offices in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and New York. His first book “The Home Within Us” (2010) was followed by “Art of the Home” co-authored with design partner Susan Ferrier, and finally “Poetry of Place” released in October of 2017. His lecture filled the theater at Edwards Big Newport.

The evening prior, in DARTS tradition, introduced McAlpine to local society at a reception catered at the Corona del Mar home of Angela and Bill Cord. Some 100 guests of DARTS welcomed by society president Maureen Madigan included Lynn Pries, Christin Ellis, Kelly Nutt, Molly Wood, Hylea Bertea, Georgina Jacobson and Madeline Hayward.

Outstanding catering by Fork, Knife + Spoon charmed DARTS regulars Sandra Ayres, Cathi Bledsoe, Ann Dennis, Elana Donovan, Carolyn Garrott, Mary Anna Jeppe and Carole Steele.

To learn more about the work and the philanthropy of DARTS, visit www.decorativeartssociety.net

Breaking new ground

Abbot Eugene J. Hayes and the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael’s Abbey have invited the community to a groundbreaking ceremony on March 18 launching the construction of the new St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado Canyon.

The event begins with a 4 p.m. reception followed by the ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Major support for this new abbey comes from many community members including Newport’s philanthropic S. Paul and Marybelle Musco, who also are major benefactors behind the creation of Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University.

Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are suggested.

To attend the groundbreaking celebration please contact event@stmichaelsabbey.com or call (949) 546-0677.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.