They Write the Songs Barry Sings

BARRY MANILOW.

Now, if the screams have quieted, let’s repeat it. Barry Manilow.

Manilow will be performing at the second annual “Singers’ Salute to the Songwriter” on April 6 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. To be honored that evening--Grammy winners Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, Sammy Fain, Henry Mancini, Jimmy Van Heusen and Stevie Wonder. Manilow was one of last year’s honorees--and then did a surprise “thank you” in song. This year--lots more Manilow doing the honorees’ songs.

Billy May is getting the arranger’s award, the Peter Matz Orchestra will perform--and, of course, so will Rosemary Clooney, pianist Michael Feinstein, Patti Austin and Beverly D’Angelo. The “of course” is because the evening is the gala fund-raiser for the Betty Clooney Foundation for the Brain Injured. Last year, the inaugural event raised more than $350,000--and, this year, ticket requests were coming in before the invites went out, according to the returning chair, Roz Wyman.

The foundation, named for Rosemary Clooney’s sister who died with brain injuries, set up a five-year program--the first phase being the establishment this year of a day activity center for people with brain injuries. Also in the wings--an herb nursery, which would train and employ brain-injured people.

Barry Manilow. Save the rest of the screams for April 6.

BOTH SIDES NOW: That master of compromise, Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, has figured out what to do with his support in the upcoming race for the seat of the late San Francisco Democratic representative, Sala Burton. Seems like two of Brown’s good buddies--activist Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Supervisor Doris Ward--have announced for the seat. Brown says he will support both of them, adding that he’s always been a staunch believer in the secret ballot.

OH MY GOSH--Blame it on pre-vacation jitters--because everyone, even I, knows that Merv Adelson heads up Lorimar Telepictures.

UPCOMING--Childhelp USA and the National Football League Players’ Assn. get together March 27 for the first Players Award Dinner. It’s an all-star evening with Phil and Merlin Olsen presenting the awards--and entertainment by Roy Clark, Mel Tillis and comedian George Kirby. Elaine Fohrman is the evening’s chairwoman. . . . March 23, Tony Bill directs a dramatic reading of Pulitzer Prize winner Studs Terkel’s “Hard Times: An Oral History of the Depression.” The reading at the L.A. Theatre Center benefits the Midnight Mission on Skid Row. Among those cast so far: John Lithgow, Tyne Daly, Barry Bostwick, Marsha Mason, Elliott Gould, JoBeth Williams and Ned Beatty. . . . The Wives of the Bench and Bar hold their 25th anniversary fashion show March 21 at the Century Plaza. The group, which awarded nine law school scholarships last year, is a community service organization made up of wives and widows of judges and lawyers. . . . The Hispanic Women’s Council on April 9 holds its annual “Women for Success” awards banquet at the Bonaventure. This year’s chair is Bart Brodkin, the president and CEO of 7-Up/RC Bottling. . . . Landmark School’s invitation to its March 15 Rockin’ ‘50s and Twistin’ ‘60s Silent Auction is a 45 record. The show, luncheon and silent auction will be held at the Century Plaza--renamed the Landmark West Cafe for the day. Producer Stephen J. Cannell, who received last year’s Hans Christian Andersen Award, this year is the presenter--to Whoopi Goldberg. The program benefits Landmark School, which provides special education for those with learning disabilities. . . . The Law Affiliates of Los Angeles hosts its 36th annual Kate and Advocate Benefit on March 22 at the Biltmore. This year’s special guest--California Supreme Court Chief Justice Malcolm M. Lucas. Linda Avazian and Sandra Wisot chair the evening, with a special performance by the Aman Music and Dance Company and just regular ol’ dancing to the music of Clark Keen’s Orchestra.