Museum Benefit Takes on Classic Tones

Black and white proved a colorful combination at Saturday’s second annual Black and White Bash for the Newport Harbor Art Museum.

About 850 party-goers sported everything from black tuxedo jackets to white tennis shorts to the gala, held in the Mediterranean-style courtyard of Fashion Island, Newport Beach.

Proceeds from the $50-per-person affair were expected to raise $25,000 for the museum’s educational programs.

Colorless Attire

Anything goes--as long as it was black or white--was the dress code. Out of the large crowd one person violated the rule--a woman in a red dress. Others wore black-and-white stripes, polka dots and solids.

Museum board member Peter Leider wore his tuxedo jacket and bow tie with white shorts and tennis shoes.

“I’m the most comfortable guy here,” he said. “I like mixing the informal with the formal.”

Julie Eberlin wore an eye-popping black-and-white romper with thigh-high black suede boots.

“This party makes everyone do something creative instead of showing up in the same old black tie,” she said.

Museum director Michael Botwinick smuggled in a multicolored tie with his black shirt and black-and-white plaid suit.

“I needed some way for the museum staff to find me,” he joked.

Night Music

Jazz musicians, jugglers and models who wore the latest black and white fashions from I. Magnin entertained the crowd throughout the balmy night.

Museum trustee Michael Kang and his wife, Renee Lippe-Kang, co-chairmen of the bash, worked behind the Five Feet Too table serving Chinese lamb shanks with black bean chili and blackened calamari tacos.

“This is more fun for me than being out there,” said Kang, his sleeves rolled up and his face flushed. “I can meet more people.”

More than 20 restaurateurs served up their specialties to the crowd.

Bistango prepared a lamb T-bone in a pinot noir sauce, the Arches Restaurant served cafe Diablo, chicken Diane and shrimp in Louisiana hot sauce and the Four Seasons Hotel dished out grilled swordfish, hot tripolini pasta with smoked chicken and oven-dried tomatoes, and creme brulee of bananas and chocolate.

Joan Beall, president of the museum board of trustees, summed up the appeal of the Black and White Bash:

“It’s low-priced, it’s outdoors and it’s fun,” said Beall, who attended with husband Don. “It has a real carnival atmosphere. This year people really got into the spirit of dressing up, and we hope it snowballs next year.”

Among the guests were Gerald Ishibashi, master of ceremonies, Frank Caput and Susan Porter Caput, Chuck and Bev Diamond, Jim and Patty Edwards, Dell and Norma Glover, Bill and Julie Hermann, John and Trish O’Donnell, Tom and Barbara Peckenpaugh, Jim and Barbara Phillips, Betsy Ross, Keiko Sakamoto, James and Harriet Selna, Gene White and Lizanne Witte.