Antsy for a Royal Picnic

Even the Orange County Performing Arts Center has surrendered to the siren call of Village Crean.

The Tara-inspired spread belonging to John and Donna Crean of Santa Ana Heights will be the site of a “Picnic on the Green” for members of Britain’s esteemed Royal Ballet on Aug. 11, after their final matinee performance at Segerstrom Hall.

So far this year, about 30 charity bashes have been tossed at the Crean complex, with its rolling emerald lawns and “Gone With the Wind” ambience.

In a recession, what nonprofit group can resist its gratis price tag?

When the Kirov Ballet danced into Orange County two years ago, the Center board of directors chose the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point for the troupe’s finale party. No lush detail was spared--from the sumptuous repast offered at sunset to the Western band that played under the moonlight (those Muscovites know their two-step).

Now, of course, you realize that the Royal Ballet is the company that pirouettes before the queen, Prince Charles, Princess Di--you know the names.

Is the Crean estate top-notch enough for a Royal Treatment? Yes. In fact, the grounds are so beautifully kept and the hospitality so graciously Southern that Orange County society has come to think of Village Crean as another posh hotel.

What do the neighbors think? So far, no problem, says Andy Crean--son of John and Donna Crean. “But the neighbors do like charity groups to have valet parking when they expect more than 40 cars.”

More than 400 guests are expected to crowd the Crean grounds for the event (the troupe will be ferried by bus). K. P. & Co. is catering. The menu will be All-American--barbecued burgers, corn on the cob and apple pie.

Party-goers are already buzzing about what to wear. The dress code--Royal Picnic Attire--has never been requested here before.

Knickers, anyone?

A royal welcome: When the Royal Ballet opens with “Swan Lake” at Segerstrom Hall on Aug. 6, two parties will be on the menu for ballet buffs.

First, a pre-performance champagne reception in the posh Center Room at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, hosted by Center Chairman William Lyon and Center President Thomas Kendrick. After the performance, Lyon and Kendrick will welcome guests to a shindig at Birraporetti’s at South Coast Plaza.

Black and white and super-hot: Following San Francisco’s 35-year lead, the Newport Harbor Art Museum is instituting its own version of the City by the Bay’s annual Black and White Ball--a gala so successful that the San Francisco Symphony pockets more than $1 million each year.

On Aug. 3, museum supporters will stage their first Black and White Bash--a casual fest at Newport Center Fashion Island that will feature cuisine from several hip Newport Beach restaurants--Tutto Mare, Five Feet Too and Bob Burns among them. Continuous entertainment in the Neiman Marcus courtyard will feature bands on two stages.

The dress code is black and white, “creative” preferred. And the price is right: $50 per person. Susan Porter Caput is chairwoman. Michael Kang--owner of Five Feet Too--is coordinating the cuisine. The museum plans on making this an annual event.

The Buzz: Robert Mondavi himself will attend the Aug. 18 dinner at the Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Center in Costa Mesa that opens the Orange County chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food (a foodie organization founded by Julia Child, Mondavi and others). . . . Barneys New York at South Coast Plaza is expanding again, this time adding tailored clothing for men and Piccola Cucina restaurant. That makes the second New York-based boutique that is offering food with fashion at South Coast Plaza. The new Emporio Armani store--due to open Sept. 8--also has an in-house bistro on the drawing board. . . .