HALLOWEEN BASH WILL BENEFIT NEWPORT ART MUSEUM

Halloween is a big night for backers of the Newport Harbor Art Museum in Newport Beach, with two fund-raisers for the museum on the calendar.

The bigger bash is the preview for “Le Bon Marche,” a bazaar that continues Saturday and Sunday at the Mercantile Building at South Coast Plaza Village. The new and used items offered for sale at the event were contributed by merchants and museum backers and include art, books, jewelry, clothing, sporting goods, appliances and furniture. Celebrity items--including everything from former President Gerald Ford’s cuff links to an autographed copy of Joan Collins’ autobiography--will also be sold.

“Le Bon Marche” was inaugurated in 1961 by the sponsoring Museum Council and was an annual event until 1979, when it was replaced by a yearly antique show and sale. This year the bazaar and the antique show have been combined; 20 antique dealers will have booths at this year’s event.

June Donovan, publicity chairman for “Le Bon Marche,” declined to guess how much money the event would bring in but said the figure has averaged about $50,000 for past fund-raisers. Proceeds benefit the museum.

The preview will include an auction of items ranging from a power boat to vacations. Live music and a buffet are also planned for the event, which will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Preview tickets are $25. The bazaar will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2.

Also tonight, the museum’s Contemporary Club for young professionals will hold its second annual Halloween party, Fantasies and Fairytales, in the museum’s sculpture garden. Dancing, live entertainment by the reggae band Jump and Swing and prizes for best costumes are planned for the event, which will run from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Advance tickets are $25; some tickets may be available at the door for $35. Proceeds benefit the museum.

Those attending “Fantasies and Fairytales” and the “Le Bon Marche” preview are encouraged to come in costume. For more information on either event, call the museum’s special events office, (714) 759-1122.