11th Annual Gala Is Heart Stuff
One needed a sound heart to keep pace with the high-energy party-goers who danced the night away at Saturday’s 11th annual Heart to Heart Gala.
A sellout crowd of almost 400 turned out for the spirited dinner-dance, presented by the Orange County chapter of the American Heart Assn., at Le Meridien Hotel in Newport Beach. The $200-per-person gala raised about $100,000 for the association.
Young at Heart
“Of all the events I’m involved in, this is the most exciting,” said Mimi Crosson, ball vice chairwoman. “It’s the high energy level of the patrons that does it.”
That high energy was generated by the evening’s entertainers: the World Fantasy Performers of Le Masquerade, a New York troupe of dancers, actors and mimes. The performers lip-synced and danced to heart-pounding music while wearing exotic costumes reminiscent of “Amadeus” and “Dangerous Liaisons.”
Even before dinner, they had everyone up and dancing to “Love Train.”
Fantasy Land
In keeping with the masquerade motif, the Meridien ballroom was transformed into a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras in sparkling gold and black. At each table stood a towering centerpiece with peacock feathers, tinsel, twinkling lights and masquerade dolls set on black lace tablecloths. Tiny gold masks served as napkin rings.
Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner of marinated shrimp in papaya and kiwi vinaigrette, mixed greens salad with goat cheese, sirloin of beef and salmon in a black currant sauce. For dessert, vanilla bean ice cream was served in--what else?--a chocolate heart with a side of raspberries.
In between courses, dancers with Le Masquerade enchanted the crowd with performances of Madonna’s “Vogue,” a rap song and a flag-waving patriotic number. After each number, the dancers fanned out through the audience, pulling people onto the dance floor.
Taking their cue from the heart motif, many women wore red gowns; men wore red ties and cummerbunds with their tuxedos. Gala committee member Tina Schafnitz toted a heart-shaped purse to go with her stunning red satin gown.
“In this economy, you have to make it fun for a fund-raiser to be a success,” Schafnitz said.
Dear to Their Hearts
The high-energy atmosphere did not mask the seriousness of the cause.
Ball chairwoman Lee-Ann Siffermann, who sported a clingy black rhinestone-studded gown, noted that most guests have known someone who has suffered from heart disease.
“Very few people, if any, are not touched by heart disease. It’s too consuming,” said Siffermann, who was the presenting sponsor with her husband, Tom, who is the local heart association board chairman.
Samuel Goldstein received the chapter’s Lifeline Achievement Award for his 18 years of volunteer work for the association.
“My father died of a heart attack when he was 67. I decided that was the cause I wanted to devote my time to,” said Goldstein, who served as the original ball chairman.
Proceeds from the gala and auction go to research, education and community programs to help eradicate heart disease and premature death.
Other gala attendees: gala vice chairwoman Sally DeYoung, attending with her husband, Dirk, an association board member; Jim and Patty Edwards; Dick and Jolene Engel; Dan and Susie Hernandez; Heidi Miller; board president Gregg Pane; Patricia Rock; Howard Shiflett; Katherine Swank, and Tom and Nadine Wilck.
Oleg Cassini, New York fashion designer who married actress Gene Tierney, dated Grace Kelly and created a White House wardrobe for Jackie Kennedy, wowed about 700 locals with his sparkling evening wear at a fashion show for Childhelp U.S.A.
Cassini previewed his spring collection at a luncheon Friday presented by the Orange County Chapter of Childhelp U.S.A. and Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. The $60-a-person event raised about $85,000 for Childhelp, which provides treatment and shelter for abused children.
Cassini, 78, long ago conquered the fashion world with his A-line dresses, sheaths and the little white-collar dress. He has dressed--and romanced--numerous movie stars.
“Imagine Hollywood in the ‘40s. I’ve had the most glorious customer list of anyone,” he said. “Many of my clients I would romance--it would make my job so unique.
“I understand women. I love women.”
That was evident from the show, a sparkling parade of beaded sheaths, party dresses with spaghetti straps and short swingy skirts and classic long-sleeved beaded tops with flowing chiffon skirts. Each creation shimmered with thousands of hand-sewn beads that looked almost liquid on the models.
“The embroidery is so rich that the simplest line is perfect,” Cassini said. “This collection is as couture as anything can be.”
The crowd obviously agreed, giving Cassini a standing ovation. Some women couldn’t wait until the end of lunch to sneak away to a makeshift boutique and order one of Cassini’s creations.
After lunch, the Children’s Friend Award was given to Jeanie Ming, a nurse practitioner with the Child Abuse Services Team (CAST) in Orange County, for her work on behalf of abused children. Proceeds from the luncheon will go toward the Village of Childhelp in Beaumont, which houses and treats 75 abused children.
Others attending the luncheon: Efrem Zimbalist Jr., honorary chairman; Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson; founders of Childhelp, luncheon chairwomen Barbara Ganahl and Susan Bramel; Patty and Jim Edwards; Eileen Saul; Tina Schafnitz; Karen Voss, and Connie Olsen.