Music Center Toasts Its First Supporters

“Their support was essential to the creation of the Music Center and their generosity continues to keep this creative landmark flourishing.”

Gloria Renwick was lauding movers/shakers at The Heritage of the Music Center luncheon. In the spotlight: William Severns, chief administrator of the Music Center Operating Company from its inception in 1964 to 1984, and Robert Fryer, the Ahmanson Theatre’s artistic director from 1971 to 1989.

A Music Center family of illustrious names with major roles turned out: Stuart Ketchum, Hugh and Lynn Evans, Billie Bowlby, Charles Schneider (who introduced Fryer) and his wife, Barbara, Harry Hufford (who introduced Severns) and wife Jan, Bobbie Galpin and Onnalee Doheny.

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THE TRAIN: Two weeks ago the train starred in the Junior League benefit at Union Station.

Saturday, the Spinsters of Los Angeles transformed the downtown Jonathan Club into the Paris Gare de L’Est platform for its “Escapade Aboard the Orient Express.” Train whistles and engine steam called the crowd to dinner.

Having a wonderful time staging it all: president Margo Wright, ball co-chairs Laura Witt Blecker and Stacy Hadfield, Sarah Pierce, Paige Bierly, Cindy Varga, Susan Facey, Whitney Bennett, Jaime Parsley, Buzzy White, Victoria Eastus and Shelley Dickerson.

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DIFFERENT STYLES: The Footlighters toe-tapped, hip-swung and kicked up heels in the manner of Fred and Ginger for their “When Movies Were Movies” Cabaret Ball on Saturday feting Peggy and Bill Edwards. . . .

Las Floristas members added a storybook page to their colorful history with a “Once Upon a Time” Floral Headdress Ball at the Beverly Hilton. Ball co-chairs Beth Lane and Kathy Wills gave the cues; Janine Colich took the Sweepstakes in an Aladdin headdress by Modesto Busto. The frivolity will provide at least $375,000 for Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. . . .

Center Theatre Group Volunteers staged Angels Night at the Century Plaza, giving Ava Fries the Guardian Angel Award for her work with young people’s theater while husband Chuck glowed. . . .

The Society of Fellows of the Huntington Library celebrated spring with the annual garden luncheon, toasting the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson and hearing Peter Hatch, director of grounds and gardens at Monticello, speak on Jefferson, the gardener. . . .

The Senior Health and Peer Counseling ball honored Jack Smith with its Golden Glow Award for his 40-year career as a Los Angeles Times columnist and author. Charlton Heston bestowed the honor. The event netted $150,000. . . .

In a “Snow White” fairy-tale setting, Pasadena Day Nursery Guild members staged a benefit children’s fashion show, auction and tea. Chief fund-raisers: Cindy Wenzlau, Jodi Vettese, Denise Cervenka, Liz Lewis, Laurie Wax and Emily Hancock.

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KUDOS: Philanthropists George and Maggie Jagels became the Wellness Community-Foothills’ first “Angel Award” honorees at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington. . . .

Loyola Marymount University recognized Audrey Hepburn posthumously Wednesday evening with its Hal Roach Entertainment Award. . . .

USC’s Trojan family celebrated alumni awards at its Beverly Wilshire gala, honoring orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert K. Kerlan with the Asa V. Call Achievement Award and saluting architect MacDonald Becket, educator Stuart E. Gothold, impresario James A. Doolittle and Los Angeles’ former chief of protocol Bee Canterbury Lavery. . . .

Joan Seidel, Beverly Hills treasurer, became Citizen of the Year at the 40th Beverly Hills Ball sponsored by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Civic Assn. Christie Hefner received the chamber’s Will Rogers Memorial Award.

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PITZER’S PREXY: Pitzer College’s trustee chair Dr. Chadwick Smith and his wife, Corinna, entertained Pitzer’s new president, Marilyn Chapin Massey, at a black-tie dinner in Rolling Hills.

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THE LUNCHEONS: Los Angeles Orphanage Guild viewed David Hayes’ collection at its spring luncheon at the Four Seasons. Chatting about spring wardrobes and the Maryvale orphanage: benefit co-chairs Sandi Walker and Lucy McCrary, Barbara McGinnis, Sheila Muller, Mary Alice Tudor, Alice Avery, Merrelyn O’Donnell, Tom Buckley and Gretchen Wayne. . . .

Villa Esperanza Guild watched spring fashions at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington. At the helm, Carol and Bob Finch, Lou and Sis Jones and Jess and Phyllis Marlow. . . .

Fashionettes called in designer Bob Mackie and Jack Palance for a celebrity fanfare luncheon Saturday. . . .

Kitty Bartholomew, Cindy Connolly, Josselyn McAdam and Pat Rauth staged their eighth garden gathering to benefit Childrens Chain of Childrens Hospital. The group toured the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden in Bel-Air.

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ESCALATION: Freddie and Corinna (the former Miss Greece) Fields hosted Greek entertainer Nana Mouskouri at the Peninsula Hotel as the singer kicked off her 25-city U.S. tour. Marilyn and Alan Bergman were there. . . .

Club 100 of the Music Center and event chairs Connie Whitney, Thelma Houston and Fran Muir brought Frances Hesselbein, president and CEO of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, to the Century Plaza Tower to speak on visionary leadership. . . .

Ginny Lande and Robyn Scanlon chaired the Cabaret at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana for the Valley Master Chorale.