Dance Benefit Nets $105,000 for AIDS Groups

COSTA MESA —  An AIDS benefit held in conjunction with Thursday’s opening-night performance of Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project netted more than $100,000 for two AIDS services organizations, about 35% more than expected.

According to preliminary figures, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, a national organization, and the AIDS Services Foundation/Orange County, based in Irvine, each will receive about $52,500 from the benefit, held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, said Mickey Shaw, the center’s director of foundation relations.

Benefit tickets, at $200 each, included admission to the sold-out modern dance performance plus a post-performance buffet dinner that was attended by Baryshnikov and other White Oak dance troupe members. Sale of about 600 tickets, plus donations, grossed $130,000, which was $45,000 more than anticipated, Shaw said.

Much of the benefit’s expenses were underwritten by a half-dozen businesses and individuals, leaving about $25,000 to be paid for out of the gross proceeds, she said.

The benefit was jointly sponsored by White Oak, which is holding similar events in other cities on its tour, and the center.

“More important than the money raised was the consciousness raised,” said Shaw, an ASF board member. “A lot of people came (to the benefit) who have not participated in AIDS causes in Orange County.”