Dreaming of Winter at Music Center

New York has its Rockefeller Plaza at Christmas. The White House has its lighted Christmas tree. Los Angeles is about to have “WinterFest”--call it US Sprint WinterFest, because US Sprint Pacific Division is the big underwriter.

The idea is to transform the Music Center into a winter wonderland. The festivities will be launched with a benefit concert gala in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Dec. 9, and then festivities will continue through Dec. 31.

The concert is the idea of Lili Zanuck, recently appointed to the board of governors of the Music Center. She’ll create and produce the concert. Anne Johnson will head WinterFest Plaza activities. Chardee Trainer will stage the gala dinner.

The other noon they hosted a luncheon in The Founders to tell all: Award-winning composers/musicians Henry Mancini, Lionel Newman, Dave Grusin, Randy Newman and John Williams will star; a stellar personality will host; and an 80-piece orchestra will perform. In the spirit of the season, the evening will include free outdoor festivities on the Plaza, gaily decorated, for the $8 and $15 ticket-holders.

After the concert, black-tie supporters (at $250 each) will hasten to the Grand Hall for dinner and more entertainment by the International Children’s Choir and Murry Korda’s violins.

Needless to say, the new venture is expected to become a tradition. The thought of that had some of the city’s brightest cooking up ideas faster than you can say Santa Claus--including Jackie Rosenberg, talking of “gold angels at $5,000,” and Mrs. Jerome Fein, Mrs. John F. Hotchkis, Mrs. Philip J. Koen, Mrs. Earle M. Jorgensen, Virginia S. Milner, Mrs. Chase Morsey Jr., Mrs. Bob Ray Offenhauser, Margaret B. Parker, Mrs. R. Stanton Avery, Mrs. Gregson Bautzer, Mrs. Corwin D. Denney,, Mrs. Stuart M. Ketchum, Mrs. Kenny Rogers, Mrs. Ted Mann, Sandra Moss, Gale Hayman, Mrs. Leonard Goldberg and Mrs. Michael Eisner.

Expect 17,000 lights.

Yes, it has been a coolish September. There were at least a dozen full-length furs, wisely worn and absolutely necessary ingredients for toastiness, the other evening when the Members of the Childrens Chain of Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles entertained at their annual dinner and dance. Brooke Young, wearing a sleeveless white chiffon, commented, “I’m so cold, I’m stuttering.” Said John Sturgeon, “It’s going to be a cold winter; my acorns are falling early.”

However, once the crowd converged on the tennis courts for dinner (the party was in the gardens of Frank and Evelyn Vodhanel, with cocktails around the pool), the electric heaters were awaiting. And rock and twist, swing and bop took care of the rest.

Party chairman Cheryl Baker was in white and gold lame, greeting guests with her husband, Bob. Also taking official duties were Peggy Galbraith, Childrens Chain chairman, and her husband, Jim, and co-chairman Mrs. William Hull.

Everyone was saying what a pretty party it was, thanks to decor by The Kensington Garden overseen by Mrs. George Harb and Mrs. Thomas Larkin. Somerset Catering, chosen by Mrs. Gary Griff and Mrs. Randolph Stockwell, produced a rather sinful chocolate dessert table, causing lots to opt for seconds.

Mrs. Russell D. Keely headed the patronesses. More on committees included Mrs. Richard Schreiber, Mrs. Llewellyn Miller, Mrs. Frederic Rheinstein (in purple taffeta), Mrs. Robert Bell, Mrs. Bruce Ludwick, Mrs. Christian Frere, Mrs. Ray T. McCullough (her guests included Kate and Joe Regan), Mrs. Richard Johnson, Mrs. David J. O’Keefe, Mrs. Peter Ziegler, Mrs. Thomas Rauth, Mrs. Arthur Bartholomew, Mrs. Norman Mitchell (her husband good-naturedly took photos since Rose Mary was publicity chairman), Mrs. John W. Given, Mrs. Arthur McClure and Mrs. James Cheney (she’s past chairman).

More in the crowd were the Shannon Clynes, the William Mingsts, the Peter McCoys, the Jamie Bennetts, the Robert Lowes, the Richard Gordiniers, the Peter Barkers, the Danford Bakers, the Thomas Techentins--a handsome crowd. Proceeds will benefit the rehabilitation center of the hospital.

The house of Jean Patou (some say the boldest of French haute couture designers) will present the first public viewing of its full ‘86-’87 fall and winter collection in the United States on Oct. 30. Alain Galliano, French trade commissioner for Los Angeles, has announced that the collection will be featured in “A Salute to French Impressions,” a gala celebration and dinner to benefit the Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The black-tie fashion extravaganza at the Beverly Wilshire will kick off “French Impressions ‘86,” a major exposition of French fashions and home furnishings at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The exposition runs Oct. 30-Nov. 2.

Already Los Angeles is bustling with plans for the tribute. The Costume Council has formed a gala committee headed by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Oppenheimer, honorary chairmen. Mrs. Miguel Llanos and Mrs. Franklin Johnson are co-chairmen. Says Nelly Llanos, “It’s an evening not to be missed.” Proceeds will help the museum acquire and preserve the costumes and textiles of 240 cultures and time periods.

Arnold Frederick Gerstell of San Marino and Joan Lavery Foley of Locust Valley, N.Y., the widow of Michael Foley, were married Saturday evening in the gardens of her home. A sit-down dinner for 75 followed at the Creek Club in Locust Valley. They plan to live in Bel-Air. He’s the president and chief operating officer of Calmat and on the board of the Museum of Natural History, a member of the Los Angeles Country Club and a trustee at Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.Y.

A luncheon hosted by her mother, Mrs. Ashton Eldridge, prior to the wedding was among the weekend events planned for out-of-town guests, including the Peter Bundys of Los Angeles, the Thomas F. Calls of Beverly Hills, the Robert Fitzgeralds and the William Jagers of Pasadena, the Richard Gordiniers of San Marino, and Bud Scully of Pasadena, the best man, and Mimi Martin of San Marino. The bridegroom’s three daughters--Alison, now living in London; Andrea, living in New York; and Daphne, a junior at Connecticut College--attended, as well as the bride’s daughters, Elizabeth, a graduate of Skidmore, and Alexandra, a student at Kent.

Giuseppe Battaglia’s best customers have included Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Jack Warner. He has the sleek Battaglia Shop for men in Beverly Hills and he’s been a leader in the fashion industry for nearly 60 years, representing the finest Italian manufacturers on a wholesale basis. Now, he’s about to open a new Mila Schoen boutique on Rodeo Drive. The chandeliers are going in. Look for it about Oct. 6.

Recently, he and Doris Fields Heller, his associate in the venture, have been generating excitement, lunching best-dressed at The Bistro Garden. Doris, of course, is the fashion plate, once a model for Sophie Gimbel in New York with the queens of the world coming for couture, “with their dogs at their feet and the chauffeurs waiting outside,” as she describes it. Later she went to Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills as manager of fine apparel for 20 years, then switched to I. Magnin for 18 years before moving to Amen Wardy in Newport Beach.

On Rodeo Drive, too, Monsieur Jean-Louis Dumas-Hermes has extended invitations to celebrate the launch of Parfum d’Hermes and to salute the Dance Gallery. It’s Champagne Pommery and hors d’oeuvres Oct. 9 in Beverly Hills.

A festive Sunday afternoon of silent bidding and acquisition awaits those attending the Pacific Asia Museum’s Festival of the Autumn Moon open house and silent auction this afternoon. Bidding will take place on the Chinese courtyard garden, and then more than 100 objects will be offered for final bidding at the Festival of the Autumn Moon art auction and benefit dinner Oct. 11. April Riddle is auction chairman.

Woof, Woof: We hate to say it, but the party hosted by the Los Angeles Area Chapter of International Guiding Eyes--the Gift of Sight Petit Ball--at the Hollywood Roosevelt went to the dogs. Two well-mannered golden retrievers, a lab and a shepherd (who’ve been trained to participate in parties) were in the receiving line. Actress Cheryl McMannis arrived with her golden retriever in black tie.

In the limelight was Jane Withers, dedicated to the blind since a she was a child film star. According to Harriet Weaver Vasque, Contessa Cohn, whose avocation is ballroom dancing, danced the “Shadow Tango” with Terry Leone (he owns Arthur Murray franchises in Texas and Beverly Hills) and was a sensation.

Frances and Sid Klein and Friends of Fine Art at USC are contriving elegance for their prelude cocktails and hors d’oeuvres party Oct. 10 at 310 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The affair honors Fred MacMurray, who will be honored Nov. 7 at Jewel Gala III at the Beverly Hilton. Mrs. Happy Franklin and June Haver MacMurray are co-chairmen.

Michael E. Jung, UCLA professor of chemistry and first recipient of the Gold Shield Faculty Prize, will be honored Sunday at the UCLA alumnae group’s annual Champagne Reception at the residence of UCLA Chancellor and Mrs. Charles E. Young. Judy Postley is reception chairman.

There was a lot of oohing over the sporty Jaeger fashions from the International Shop in Beverly Hills when the National Art Assn. lunched at Perino’s the other noon. The group annually stages the Orchid Ball to raise funds for scholarships for aspiring young musicians, artists and performing artists.

Former concert pianist Jean Johnson, president, had Mary Lou Hicks, wife of Under Secretary of Defense Donald Hicks, at her table, as well as Ruth LeSage (she decides which schools get the scholarships), both wearing hats. Greta Peck had her mind on the first world-wide meeting of the Order of St. Lazarus in Oxford and the party at Blenheim Palace. Marilyn Rudley was surrounded with friends, including Ola Smith, Marge Kolliner, Alice Moore, Jane Leonard, and new members including Beverly Lenz, who was about to leave for the Crescent H. River Meadows Ranch for a week of trout fishing and roughing it. Lou Ann Zellers was leaving for France on a genealogical expedition. Beverly Petal was among the models who made the Jaeger look especially enticing.

The Flintridge Amateur Horse Show that attracts world-class competition from around the state concludes today at the Flintridge Riding Club, La Canada Flintridge, with the $25,000 Chrysler Grand Prix of Flintridge. The time is 2:30 p.m. On Saturday evening the riding club was transformed into a Harvest Festival in the Land of Oz for barbecued steak, dancing and casino games. Guild president Shere Adair and benefit chairman Lillian Olafson have been working to raise lots for Childrens Hospital.