RSVP / ORANGE COUNTY : Singles Book Passage for a Night at Rick’s

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, the Bogart & Bacall chapter of the Guilds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center chose Remick’s restaurant in Irvine to stage its “Night in Casablanca” New Year’s Eve gala.

The young singles chapter re-created Rick’s Cafe Americain from the movie “Casablanca” for the fund-raiser, issuing passports to about 300 guests and setting up a makeshift casino so party-goers could gamble beneath the palm trees and ceiling fans. The $60-per-person bash was expected to net about $5,000 for the center.

As Time Goes By

The revelers looked like the bar patrons at Rick’s Cafe: The women sported sparkling cocktail dresses and the men a mix of suits and tuxedos. After posing for pictures to put in their souvenir passports, they wandered up and down the staircase of the two-story restaurant, trying their luck at blackjack or dancing as DJ Marc Ces spun the records, and sampling a fully loaded buffet. The fare included roast turkey, roast beef, made-to-order pastas with sauces and toppings as well as fresh fruit tarts and cakes.

“My New Year’s resolution is to gain weight. I never keep them, so I’m hoping this way I’ll lose weight instead,” said Richard Hill, event co-chairman.

Guests ushered in the New Year in traditional fashion--with kisses, a champagne toast and a rain of confetti.

Play It Again, Sam

Bogart & Bacall’s first New Year’s bash was such a hit last year members decided to do it again. Other activities staged by the chapter in 1993 included a night at the performing arts center to see the “Nutcracker” and a car rally in which members had to search for clues that led them to a Temecula winery.

Bogart & Bacall is open to single professionals age 25 to 45.

“We started the chapter two years ago with the idea that younger people (should) get involved in the arts,” said Patricia Migatulski, chapter chairwoman, who helped found the group. “It’s a way to meet quality people. It’s not a pick-up scene.”

Members like the fact that the group is for singles but doesn’t have the stigma of a singles dating club.

“It’s more of a friendly atmosphere,” said Debra Henderson, program chairwoman. “It’s like somebody’s having a party and you’re invited.”

Other faces in the crowd included event co-chairman Robert Mitchell, Sid Baum, Sue George, Joseph Mingrone, Jan Wilfley, Ellen Lean, Eileen Hurley, Tom Machos and Jim Luzzi.