Restaurateur, Comedian Raise $2,000 for AIDS

Following last week’s benefit for Orange County’s AIDS Services Foundation at the Irvine Bowl, restaurateur Ron Niles opened the doors of his swank cafe, Ron’s in laguna, to raise additional funds for AIDS patients. Comedian Martha Raye did the rest.

Her 30-minute stand-up comedy routine brought the house down, Niles said, and took in about $2,000 for ASF from about 80 guests, who had paid $50 each to dine at the cushy bistro.

The evening was such a success, Niles said, that he’s going to try it again. He and friends, such as entertainer Linda Hopkins and actress Susan Stafford (who took care of Rock Hudson in his battle with the deadly disease), are cooking up another benefit for patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Niles said they are trying to line up top singers and entertainers for a concert, possibly in September at the Irvine Bowl.

“We plan to have 200 people at the restaurant for dinner before the concert,” said Niles, who added that tickets for both dinner and the concert would probably be $200, with concert-only tickets for the intimate bowl setting running at about $50 and $125.

“Right now, we’re not sure if proceeds will go to the AIDS Services Foundation or the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the group Elizabeth Taylor founded after Rock’s death,” Niles said.