Benefit Reflects Soaring Holiday Spirits

It may not be the best of times, but the holiday spirit has been magnetic--especially on Friday at the Pasadena Symphony gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington.

In the grand ballroom foyer, the big tree designed by florist Jacob Maarse was surrounded by dozens of other designer Christmas trees, elegantly decorated and available for silent-auction bids. Most of these trees were for tabletops. Does that speak to the current trend of downsizing?

However, the gala bids were big. One, $8,500 from Tad Williamson for a fishing trip for two to Mike Cusack’s King Salmon Lodge in Alaska, brought applause from the crowd and will contribute to the estimated gala net of $200,000, way above last year’s $110,000. Much of the success is attributable to the good work of ball co-chairs Dolores Kroop and Dennis Lowe.

Madeleine Moran bought a wonderful tree to spiff up her cookie exchange party. Beverly and Ed Fitzgerald won a wooden rocker for a grandchild. Robert and Phyllis Henigson won the trip to Rio. Emily Hancock bought three paintings. Others won bids for visits to the two holiday houses Peggy Phelps (and her new husband, Nelson Leonard) and Estelle Schlueter donated and for the yacht cruise given by Heather and Harvey Lenkin.

But major benefactor Alyce de Roulet Williamson, the night’s honoree, was the star. Longtime symphony supporter Dr. John Tarr introduced her mellifluously. He referred to her “artistic soul,” spoke of “that special artistry and delight in living.”

Referring to her dance background, he said, “I think of you as dancing through life--choreographing support . . . ringing frisky, jolly, frolicking good cheer.” He noted that Williamson has befriended artists and that she attends not only symphony concerts but also rehearsals.

Accepting her gift of a Scott Medlock beach painting, the honoree said, “I just feel I am always receiving--not giving; you are beautiful people.”

Among the guests: Gardener Barker, Beatrice Jakots, Rollins and Jacqueline Andrew, Tina and Neil Diver, symphony executive director Wayne Shilkret, symphony president Stephen J. M. Morris, John and Wendy Siciliano, John and Mary Ann Sturgeon, Jack and Edith Roberts and Ann Elizabeth Niblo, with artist Victor Hugo Zavas.

On Saturday, many continued the Pasadena Symphony Holiday Weekend by taking in the four houses on the Women’s Symphony Committee Look-In house tour, including the incredibly chic homes of Cheryl and Bud Wegge in Pasadena and Richard Ann Mastain in San Marino.

Cheryl Wegge had moss all over her dining room table, the decorations making a ravishing set for caterer Sue Campoy’s chicken curry for what was to have been a surprise 50th birthday party for Bud Wegge on Sunday evening.

But he is in the car agency business, and even though Cheryl’s invitations for this “Fabulous Flirt Who Is 50” said, “Keep this under your hood,” more than one on the “frantic frenzied freeway of life” (Cheryl’s term) called Bud directly to accept. Can anyone keep a secret?

Among the some 100 partying with the Wegges: Lary and Debby Mielke, RoseMary and Alan Korostoff, Dee and John Maechling, Julie and Art Pizzinat, John and Barbara Poer, Marybeth and Greg Brundage, Holly and Dave Davis (back from Santa Fe), Ted and Marsha Grace, and Char and Paul Vert (flushed from a week in New York, seeing shows and holiday perks).

TRADITION: Pasadena Supper Club, in white tie, with not just a few gents arriving in top hats and gloves, put a real glimmer on the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington, when Kelsey Hall chaired the annual Christmas dinner dance. More on the committee: Catherine Cheney, Jan Clayton, Wendy Bianchi, Kathy Gillespie, Debby Lanni (who had the difficult job of reservations), Betsy Morphy, Jane Popovich and Eileen Zimmerman.

DOUBLE UP: The philanthropic Pam and Peter Mullin fluttered snow at the entrance to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and asked their friends to bring blankets for the homeless and unwrapped toys for children to be given through Catholic Charities. It was a massive crowd that dined and tripped the light fantastic to the Bob Gail Orchestra.

(That’s the band that Linda Bloodworth-Thomason hired--again at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington--for husband Harry’s birthday Nov. 28, the night President-elect Bill Clinton jammed on his saxophone for nearly an hour.)

With the Mullins were Beth and Bob Lowe, Susan and John Shumway (she was singing Tuesday evening with the Valley Master Chorale and the Glendale Symphony at the Music Center) and Claudette and Don Shaw of Orange County.

BENEVOLENT: For each black-tie gala ticket sold for the Kirov Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” opening night Dec. 22, the Music Center will give one free ticket to an inner-city youth. David and Maria Murdock announced the idea at the Kirov Committee reception at the Regency Club. Gala tickets are $500 each.

SUMPTUOUS FEAST: “Entertainment Tonight” co-host John Tesh was onstage Friday night at the USC Friends of Music Charles Dickens Dinner at the Biltmore, playing selections from his latest album, “A Romantic Christmas.”

Benefit chair Joyce Sprafka and USC School of Music dean Larry Livingston paired him for his Dickens Award (as a composer) with violinist and USC alumnus Charlie Bisharat. Tesh has four Emmys for best musical composition. He and his wife, actress Connie Sellecca (honorary chair), made a handsome pair. They were introduced to 450 guests by Leonard Maltin. The dinner supports future musicians.