Celebrity benefit concert attracts art supporters
Star-studded red carpet arrivals, a private showing of fine arts and a concert featuring jazz musician Al Jarreau drew in thousands of fans and supporters to the Celebrity Benefit Concert and Pageant at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts.
Celebrity guests, including Donna Mills, Richard Karn and Dallas Raines, smiled for photographs before entering the center green where attendees gathered to hear seven-time Grammy Award winner Jarreau perform in the summer night air on Aug. 23. The jazz singer is known for his scat singing and album “Breakin’ Away,” with the hit song “We’re in This Love Together.”
On-air host Bruce Scott of KOST Radio 103.5 kicked off the evening and introduced Jarreau to applause.
“We are thrilled to be here to benefit the Pageant of the Masters,” Scott said. “You’re going to hear music from a legendary musician.”
Jarreau, sporting his signature black beret, bowed to the crowd of nearly 3,000 pageant-goers and reached for the mic.
‘“We’re going to take a long journey,” Jarreau said. “So buckle your seat belts.”
With wine in hand, guests swayed to the sounds and lyrics of Jarreau serenading “Tell Me What I Gotta Do.”
A man dressed as Sherlock Holmes carried a pipe and a magnifying glass in keeping with the pageant’s theme of mystery in the world of art.
While listening to the music wafting throughout the Festival of Arts grounds, art enthusiasts perused exhibits showcasing the paintings, sculptures, photography and ceramics by 140 award-winning artists.
“It is through the support of tens of thousands of people, just like you, that our juried art exhibit, higher education scholarships, art education programs and the many additional activities that support this community are made possible,” said Festival of Arts president Fred Sattler in a statement.
After the concert, guests strolled over to the Irvine Bowl to watch a performance of the Pageant of the Masters hosted by Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook and Matthew Gray Gubler of the television show “Criminal Minds.” The night closed with a performance of the Pageant of the Masters production of “The Art Detective.” The presentation, with people posing in scenes created to look exactly like the original pieces, revealed how lost art masterpieces were discovered.
The gala event grossed approximately $250,000 for future arts programming and the Building Fund for improvements to and renovation of the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters facility.