Benefit’s in a Classic by Itself

Comedian/pianist Steve Allen made an apology on arrival at Sunday night’s Candlelight Concert, the benefit at the Hyatt Regency Irvine that raked in $100,000 for the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

“Please excuse the inappropriateness of my clothing,” he said, looking downright casual in a business suit contrasted with the 500 glitzed-out guests at the black-tie affair. He didn’t learn of the dress code until he got to the hotel, he said. (I had the feeling about 250 men were wishing they had the same excuse.)

No matter. He may have looked lowbrow, but at the keyboard and the mike (Allen was emcee of the piano-in-the-round concert that also featured jazz pianists Pete Jolly, Ross Tompkins and Paul Smith), he was all high-style and grace.

And humor. Introducing the Duke Ellington classic, “Take the ‘A’ Train,” Allen said, that believe it or not, Lawrence Welk had once introduced the piece as “ Take a Train. “ Laughter. Lot’s of it.

Guests enjoyed the hourlong concert, which also featured James De Julio on bass and Butch Miles on drums, after they dined on seafood artichoke with caviar sauce, rack of lamb with roasted garlic sauce and a Christmas fantasy dessert trio (tiny cakes frosted with holiday motifs).

Keeping an eye on the fare was Barbara Glabman, who oversaw the creation of the menu. “It’s fun to sit here and watch everyone’s reaction,” she said. Only one menu item had guests wondering whether or not they dare down it: a hunk of roasted garlic. “We’re all in this together,” said Louis Spisto, director of the Pacific Symphony. “I’m going for it. I love the stuff.”

Tiffany & Co., an event underwriter, designed the ballroom decor--sprays of gold stars towering above mirrored tables centered with bouquets of scarlet roses.

Before the concert, Allen relaxed in his room at the Hyatt, nursing a cold and watching television.

Was it special for him, appearing with three jazz greats? “My only contribution is participating with three very distinguished pianists,” said a humble Allen, composer of “This Could Be the Start of Something Big” and “South Rampart Street Parade.”

Maybe that explains why the concert was more jazz classics than the usual Christmas classics. (Allen introduced Smith as the “spiritual leader of all of the piano players in the world.”)

After all, how often does Orange County performing arts society get to hear an earful of piano standards from four of America’s top musicians?

Ciel Woodman was chairwoman of the 18th annual affair. Committee members included Nancy Baldwin, Joan Beall, Hinda Beral, Martha Fluor, Terry Goldfarb, Pat Poss, Jo Ellen Qualls, Claudette Shaw and Carol Wilken.

Also among guests were Henry and Renee Segerstrom, Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom, Elaine and Bill Redfield, Thomas Kendrick and Judy Morr, Al and Deeann Baldwin, Wanda and Dr. Ty Cobb, Dick and Jolene Engel, Bob and Martha Fluor, Roger and Janice Johnson, Kasia and Gary Johnson, Tom and Marilyn Nielsen, Mary Roosevelt and Michele Rohe.

Huntington Harbour Boat Parade: So what if it rained on their parade. “Those raindrops last night helped us stay alert,” joked Sue Hodgson on Sunday at the trophy brunch staged by the Huntington Harbour chapter of the Orange County Philharmonic Society.

On Saturday night, Hodgson and her husband, Dick--parade grand marshal--boarded the yacht Coral Queen to lead a flotilla of 50 boats through Huntington Harbour waterways.

The event kicked off the Philharmonic’s annual Cruise of Lights, an open-to-the-public boat tour of holiday-lit Huntington Harbour homes that annually raises more than $100,000 for the Philharmonic Society.

With the theme “Melodies of America,” “it was the most musical parade ever,” said Dick Hodgson. “Every kind of music--from East Coast to West Coast!”

The brunch was a first for the group that annually raises more funds for the Philharmonic Society than any other chapter.

“I was so tired of going to the trophy dinners held after the parade,” said Sue Hodgson. “I thought this would be easier for everyone.”

Guests dined on omelets at tables decorated with bouquets donated by Pat and Frank McCallum of Huntington Harbour Florist.

And yes, the early-bird brunch was easier. At least for one fun-loving gentleman, who said: “This year, I think I’ll even remember who won the trophies” for best decorated homes and boats.

Sue Madison was chairwoman of the overall event. Committee members included Sandy Mauceli, Carol Hood, Jenny Huntsinger and Marilyn Bohle.

Putting on the Ritz: Women and men in holiday finery packed the Ritz restaurant in Newport Beach on Saturday for “Christmas at the Ritz,” a brunch sponsored by the Fashionables support group of Chapman University that was highlighted by a fashion show staged by Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island.

“We officially became a university on Sept. 10 in recognition of our program offerings,” said Chapman President James Doti. “But we still have the soul of a little liberal arts college. And helping us retain that will be the new Interfaiths Chapel at the center of the college.” And that’s where the Fashionables come in. Annually, the group raises funds for Chapman’s special projects.

“Projects like this have us endowing a fund to support an announcement for a chapel groundbreaking this year--I hope,” said Doti, who attended with his wife, Lynn.

Mary Lou Hornsby is chairwoman of the Fashionables. Dori de Kruif was brunch chairwoman.