Barclay Gala Puts On Some Earth Tones

Hot Brazilian music and international cuisine had a global warming effect on the 500 guests who attended “Making a World of Difference”--the Irvine Barclay Theatre’s third annual Trustees Gala.

The multicultural celebration began Saturday night with a “Party on the Plaza” outside the theater, then moved inside for a performance by Sergio Mendes and his band, Brasil ’99. Guests paid $125 each to attend, raising $30,000 in net proceeds for the Barclay, a public/private partnership project of the city of Irvine and UC Irvine.

World View

Barclay-buffs arrived to see the white walls of the contemporary theater building illuminated by colorful spotlights.

“They were designed just for this evening,” said Douglas Rankin, president of the Barclay. “They tie in with the theme because they’re the colors of the world: green for the earth, purple for the sky and orange for the sun.”

As for the guests, only a few followed the call for “colorful cocktail attire.” Most wore basic black, with notable exceptions such as honorary co-chairwoman Laurel Wilkening, chancellor of UC Irvine, who dressed head to toe in red.

In keeping with the worldly theme, food stations offered international fare from local restaurants. Among the specialties were sesame soy chicken and sushi from Tsuru, grilled shrimp with lime and feta cheese from Prego Ristorante, egg rolls from Chinatown, gourmet pizza from California Pizza Kitchen and tacos from Chevys Mexican Restaurant. The Hyatt Regency Irvine served tira misu for dessert, while Starbucks poured international coffees.

“The theme is important to those of us who work on the Barclay because the theater really caters to all ethnic groups,” said Sally Anne Sheridan, former mayor of Irvine and event chairwoman. For Sheridan, throwing a party for 500 was not a problem.

“Compared to being mayor, putting on this event is a piece of cake,” she said.

Brazilian Beat

After the reception, guests were ushered inside the theater’s 750-seat Cheng Hall to hear Mendes and his hot 10-member band.

“Sergio has not been idle since 1966,” Rankin told the audience. “He has contributed an enormous amount to the world beat movement.”

To prove it, Mendes performed excerpts from his recent Grammy award-winner, “Brasileiro,” as well as ‘60s classics such as “The Look of Love.”

Mendes moved from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles in 1965, where he first formed his band, Brasil ’66. The band has changed names with each passing decade.

“I don’t know what to call it anymore--Brasil ’66 or Brasil ‘99,” joked Mendes, who also complimented the crowd on the “beautiful theater.”

The 3-year-old Barclay prides itself on bringing culturally diverse acts such as Mendes to its state-of-the-art stage.

At the Barclay, “we feel we’re making a world of difference in terms of what we do,” Rankin said. “We present a lot of visiting artists, we house local art groups and we hold multicultural events here. It’s unique.”

The evening also marked the dedication of a new water fountain in the plaza built in memory of Michael Lewis, a founding Barclay board member.

Among the Barclay supporters were event co-chairs Phyllis Shafer, Terry Lee and Rose Cheung; Michael Ward, mayor of Irvine and honorary co-chairman; Pete Bassi, chairman of the theater board of directors; Garry Brooks, chairman of the board of trustees; Harry Boziagian, Marta Brennan, George and Arlene Cheng, John della Grotta, Thelma Friedel, Ginny Hayward, Lorne and Traut Huycke, Hari Murthy, Tom and Marilyn Nielsen, William Parker, Charlene Pasko, Wilhelmine Sciullo, Godfrey Sill and Joan Stover.