Baryshnikov to Appear at Fund-Raiser

Memories of the late Nora Kaye Ross surround the premiere of the film “Dancers,” starring Mikhail Baryshnikov. He will be present Oct. 7 when the Los Angeles Council for the American Ballet Theater stages its hot-ticket fund-raiser. The film, directed by Herbert Ross, is dedicated to Nora, his wife and founding chairman of the Los Angeles Council. The film opens at the AMC Century 14 Theaters in Century City and the Marketplace on the Plaza, which just happens to be the site for the Moet & Chandon supper that follows the screening. The glitterati will be abundant: Gene Kelly, Bella Lewitzky, Gordon Davidson, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico John Gavin and his actress wife Constance Towers Gavin, Joanne Woodward, Anne Bancroft, Neil Simon, Carol Burnett, Michael Ovitz, Ginny and Henry Mancini.

Barbara Chase is coordinating. Because the movie takes place in Southern Italy, the plaza party will have Italian pizazz.

LAUNCHING THE SEASON--Chaired by Lydia R. Himes, some 500 community leaders will lean on “The Leading Edge . . .” Saturday evening, primed to raise $125,000 for South Coast Repertory’s new play development in the kickoff of the Annual Fund Campaign for $1.28 million. Most will be $1,000 donors. They’ll sip cocktails among the Isamu Noguchi sculptures in the California Scenario gardens at South Coast Plaza Town Center in Costa Mesa while a custom high-tech laser show glows overhead. Party-goers then will stroll across Anton Boulevard to the Westin South Coast Plaza Grand Ballroom for dinner and dancing.

The ball launches Orange County’s fall social season. Center stage will be trustees chairman James S. Dailey, overseeing volunteer fund-raising efforts. Aiding Mrs. Himes (wife of Kenneth) are Judie Argyros, Arden Flamson (wife of Richard J. Flamson III, chairman of Security Pacific), Barbara Bowie, Renee Segerstrom, Deeann Baldwin, Pauline Brower, Bonnie Christeson, Patty Clark, Dot Clock, Lois Dailey, Charlotte Fusco, Olivia Johnson, Margaret Karcher, Kathy Merriman, Donna Shannon O’Bryan, Trish O’Donnell, Judy Threshie and Kit Toth.

PERSONALITIES: “ ‘Tis an incredibly effective cause and a sensational afternoon,” says Vilma Pallette. She’s chairing and touting the 80th anniversary celebration of the founding of Boys Republic on Sept. 27 at Pickfair Estate in Beverly Hills. She and Mary Lou Boone have acceptances from Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King to be honorary co-chairs, and the celebrity participants are out tossing the tennis balls: Pat Crowley, Kirk Douglas, and on and on--Anne Jeffreys, Arte Johnson, Janet Leigh, Wendell Niles, Chad McQueen and Neile McQueen Toffel. Somerset will present international cuisine, music will waft for dancing. The pretty invitations (designed by Suzanne Dwyer) picturing Pickfair in red, white and blue were printed by youngsters at Boys Republic in Chino as a work experience.

UPSCALE: The National Charity League Debutante Ball Committee hosts a candlelight dinner for debutante parents Saturday evening at the Bel-Air home of the John Charles Bedrosians. . . . Raccoon coats will be appropriate for “A Swell Affair” Sept. 19 at the home of Joan and Jim Caillouette in Pasadena. Pasadena Planned Parenthood benefits. Angie O’Brien is ably assisted by Mary Gillham, Patricia Bakaly, Shirley Mauller, Louise Eldred, Andrea Walker, Jennith Knox, Mary Kay Brashares--OK, Mary Kay. Will there really be a bathtub of gin at the speak-easy bar? . . . Travilla reveals his couture Sept. 19 for the French Hospital Auxiliary’s “Les Modes Elegantes” fashion luncheon at the Pasadena Hilton. Frances Palmieri and Rose Pelous co-chair. . . . The Braille Institute Auxiliary of Santa Barbara presents the Robert Skene (the famous former 10-goal player) Invitational Polo Match and gala benefit luncheon Sept. 19 at Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club in Carpinteria.

CASINO DE PARIS: The crowd is urged to appear in their finest black-and-white for Concern II’s “Casino de Paris” Sept. 19 at the Beverly Center. The group of young-adult volunteers, funding children’s cancer research, has raised (since 1981) nearly $700,000 for research grants in the area of children’s cancer immunology. It now boasts 700 members. Darlene Miller of Savoir-Faire is coordinating the catering. Local eateries donating include Carlos’ n Charlie’s, Kate Mantilini, California Pizza Kitchen, La Mousse, Hard Rock Cafe, Marie Callender Pie Shops and Hymie’s Fish Market. Steve R. Freed returns as chairman; Nancy Paul, Nancy Powell, Sue Brucker, Lisa Kirshner, Alan Alpert, Richard Sanett, Tim Wilson and Debbie Hovsepian are among those heading committees.

FILLIPS: Members of Scopus Society, fund-raising arm of American Friends of the Hebrew University, sailed by sunset on Le Bon Vie. Among those on board: Dale Gribow, Heidi and September Sarno (dinner chairman), Ed Cohen; Richard S. Ziman, chairman of the Society of the Founders; Rochelle Atlas, Dennis Beck and Bill and Kate Chesen. . . . Friends of Robinson Gardens will hear Robert Fitzpatrick, president of Euro Disneyland and director of the Los Angeles Festival, at their membership tea Wednesday. It inaugurates the newly renovated Polo Lounge Patio at the Beverly Hills Hotel. . . . The board of the UCLA Art Council celebrates “Foirades/Fizzles, Echo and Allusion in the Art of Jasper Johns” Sunday at a dinner at the Westwood Marquis.

ON TRACK: Friday the buses queue up at Century City and in Sherman Oaks, then stop for pick-ups in Newport Beach en route to Del Mar Race Track for Hope Guild’s annual “Day at the Races.” Chairman Phyllis Mayes and president Joyce Snyder will seat their chums in the Turf Club, plan an evening of dancing and dining, all to benefit Saint John’s Child Study Center.

HIGHLIGHTS: Help for Brain Injured Children Inc. culminates 20 years of service with a Gourmet Affair on Sunday at the Ritz Reception Center in La Habra and with its first Don Steves Golf Classic, featuring Scott Simpson, U.S. Open champion, on Monday. . . . Elizabeth and Craig Call Black entertain Sept. 25 at their home in Hancock Park to fete Andre Kapitsa, deputy secretary general of the Soviet Union’s Academy of Sciences . .Julie Masterson shows her photographs--many sensitive California scenes--at a champagne reception Sunday at the Site Gallery, 8723 W. Washington Blvd. . . . Laykin et Cie is featuring David Webb-designed jewelry and a viewing of the Fancy Colored Laykin Diamond through Saturday at I. Magnin in Pasadena.