Restaurateur Chow’s Party a Star Affair

Get out your medals and ribbons and round up the usual star suspects because restaurateur Michael Chow is having a party.

The fancy invitations are a tad tongue-in-cheek, although they are done by Smythons of Bond Street, which cranks out those of the British royal family.

The invitations point out that “decorations” (medals) as well as black tie are optional. This specification does make for two semi-serious conflicts. One would never know from the chests and lapels of famous people, but the U.S. Constitution places restrictions on receiving medals or emoluments from foreign states. And, of course, everyone significant has railed against black-tie optional for years. But then, if you are a style setter like Michael Chow. . . .

What won’t be optional will be the star retinue, turning out at his Mr. Chow in Bev Hills, with out-of-towners like Bianca Jagger and Mick Jagger on the invitation list, as well as locals including the offbeat (Dennis Hopper, Nick Nolte), party-obvious (like writer-actresses Joan Collins and Victoria Principal), truly important (like studio VIPs Barry Diller and Alan Ladd Jr.) along with the requisite artsy (like David Hockney).

The party celebrates Chow’s architectural design of the new Armani boutique. It is his premiere big bash since re-establishing his bachelorhood after his separation from Tina Chow.

MORE THAN LUCK--The first-ever giant fund-raiser for the Friends of the Holy Angels Church of the Deaf on Sunday in Midway City was more overwhelming than the heat.

The “Fleadh Na Samhraid,” Gaelic for “summer festival,” brought more than 2,000 people out, raising more than $8,000 for this very special parish.

Holy Angels was named last year by the Archbishop of Los Angeles to serve as a “personal parish” for the deaf and hearing-impaired. The Archdiocese turned over to the parish a church in Vernon, but the building requires a substantial amount of renovation in order to serve the special needs of the deaf and hearing-impaired. A new altar is needed for the priest to face the congregation. Everyone in the congregation must have a clear view of the “signer,” special lighting has to be installed and the building must be made earthquake safe.

The parish’s pastor, Father Brian Doran, born in Dublin and himself deaf, turned for help to 17 friends who were first and second-generation Irish-Americans. None of them has experience raising money--but they signed on.

“It was something we never attempted in our lives before,” committee member Dorothy Whelan explained. “But we had two goals. One was just to spread the news of a deaf parish. Second, try to raise a couple of thousand dollars.” And? “It was overwhelming, completely surpassing our wildest dreams. The doors opened on Sunday and people poured in.”

One couple drove from Fresno in the heat so they could play--two of the dozens of musicians who turned out. Sporting exhibitions, Irish soda bread, folk-dancing instruction--all of this went on despite the heat, with people still on site at 10 p.m., listening to the music.

Among those deserving special thanks: Monica and Liam Williams, Tom and Alice Kennedy, Linn and Irene Brady.

No black-tie, no professional fund-raisers, no glitz.

Kudos to everyone who made the “Fleadh Na Samhraid” such a success. Oh yes, and they still have a long way to go to help Father Doran make his dream come true.

BIT PARTS--Katie Wagner, part-time Brat Packer and daughter of R.J., signs on as the in-studio host and celeb interviewer of Movietime on cable TV. . . .

And wait. Since the reviews are mixed, you might miss the cameo in “Stealing Home” of one of Hollywood’s prettiest women. Yes, that is Dani Janssen as the black lace-clad motel operator in the opening scene asking Mark Harmon to come to the phone. And, if you had any doubt, her name in the film is “Dani.”