Party-Goers Face a Full Calendar

Mostly sated with Independence Day hotdogs and fireworks, regulars on the fund-raising circuit took last weekend off.

Recovery from Fourth of July festivities was only partly the reason behind the break, however, since many were gearing up for the unrivaled summer onslaught of small parties, galas and balls that will keep the calendar smoking through the end of August.

The coming weekend is itself crowded with a number of competing benefits, beginning Friday with the first Spaghetti Western to be given for the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts. Termed a “friend-raiser” by the museum’s Associates Council support group, the event will be given in a turn-of-the-century pasta factory in Little Italy that has been converted into a studio shared by photographers Stephen Simpson and Jeremiah Sullivan.

Montana’s American Grill will cater pasta and other foods, to be consumed during a “photographic shoot-out,” Western dancing and other diversions. Casual or Western attire is suggested for the benefit, which will be given at 2308-D Kettner Blvd., 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. For more information, call the Museum of Photographic Arts.

A tropical steel band will provide a driving beat for “A Fine Wine Affair” on Sunday, a fund-raiser for the San Diego Center for Children.

The benefit, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the Camino Patio at the University of San Diego, will feature a tasting of 40 wines donated by California vintners, and hors d’oeuvres and desserts catered by 15 San Diego restaurants.

Proceeds will help fund Center for Children programs aimed at emotionally disturbed and abused youngsters. Tickets are $40. For more information, call the San Diego Center for Children.

On July 20, the San Diego Junior Theatre will toast its summer production of Meredith Wilson’s classic, “The Music Man,” with an outdoor picnic and dance called “The River City Social.” The benefit for the theater’s arts education program for children will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction in the courtyard of the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.

At dinner, there will be a parade of performers from “The Music Man,” followed by dancing under the stars. Tickets are $50. Call the San Diego Junior Theatre.

Also on July 20, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas will perform “Jimmy Mack” and other hits at “Magical Moments 4: Wish Upon a Star,” the fourth annual dinner and auction by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego.

Tickets to the black-tie-optional event, which also will feature dancing to The Legends, are $75. The event will run from 6 p.m. to midnight at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

Beneficiaries will be local children suffering from life-threatening diseases, several of whose special wishes will be fulfilled with the aid of funds from the foundation. For more information, call the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The fourth annual “Foot Stompin’ Madness” benefit for children who are wards of the court system will be given July 27 by the Voices for Children Auxiliary at Cedar Hills Farm, a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe.

The Western-themed event--this year titled “Foot Stompin’ Madness Goes Racin’ “--will feature casino games, assorted entertainers, a raffle for a vacation in New Zealand, dancing to the Joel Reese Band and the Break Heart Pass Band, and Texas two-step dance lessons by Western choreographer John Dougherty.

The Hyatt Regency-La Jolla will cater the benefit, which will run from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. It is chaired by Ann Davies and Judy McDonald. Western boots are strongly recommended. Tickets are $125. Call Voices for Children Auxiliary, 569-2019.

Also on July 27, Scripps Memorial Hospital-Chula Vista will host its fourth annual gala, “A Night for Wondrous Romance.” Proceeds will benefit the South Bay hospital’s critical care unit.

Noted pop singer B.J. Thomas will headline the entertainment at the black-tie gala, which will feature dinner and dancing to Bobby Kent and the Entertainers. The event in the San Tropez Ballroom of the Le Meridien in Coronado will begin with a no-host cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $100, or $175 for patrons, who will receive preferred seating. Call Scripps Memorial Hospital-Chula Vista.

Las Patronas, the La Jolla philanthropic group, will hold its 45th annual Jewel Ball on Aug. 3.

The fund-raiser, which benefits six major and 50 smaller beneficiaries, will be given in an open-air ballroom on the tennis courts of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. This year’s event, called “Circus” and chaired by Marge Palmer, will feature an unusual circus-of-the-mind in addition to live performers in a big-top setting.

The ball will begin at 7:30 p.m. will cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and continue with a formal dinner, dancing to the Leonard Neil Orchestra until 1:30 a.m., and after-dinner music by Barry Craig in the adjacent Circus Canteen until 2 a.m. Preferred tickets are available at $1,100 per couple, regular seating at $600 per couple. In the event of rain, ticket-holders are warned to consider their reservation a donation. For more information, telephone Las Patronas, 459-6681.

Despite the season indicated by the title “Oscar . . . in Autumn,” the fashion luncheon to be hosted for the benefit of the Old Globe Theatre by the Globe Guilders will be given Aug. 6.

The event will feature a ramp show of designer Oscar de la Renta’s complete fall collection and will begin with an 11 a.m. social hour at the Sheraton Harbor Island. The lunch and show will follow. Chairing the event are Annette Ford and Kay Black. Tickets are $45, or $75 for patron seating. Call the Old Globe Theatre.

Betty DeBakcsy will chair “Raise the Roof” on Aug. 11, the 15th annual “A Night in Monte Carlo” to benefit the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.

The event’s theme reflects on the renovations that will begin later this year at the museum. The gala, to be held at the museum, vies with the Jewel Ball for the title of La Jolla event of the year. The evening includes dinner in a tented, outdoor ballroom, dancing to the Bill Green Orchestra, a dessert buffet and casino gambling through the evening. “Raise the Roof” will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 2 a.m. Tickets are $250 and $500. Call the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.