Supporters Put Their Hearts Into It : The World Fantasy Performers of New York’s Le Masquerade kick up their heels at the black-tie, ‘Hollywood Nights’ gala in Irvine.

Supporters for the American Heart Assn.-Orange County danced their hearts out Saturday at the 13th annual Heart to Heart Gala.

Virtually all of the 300 guests who attended the bash at the Hyatt Regency Irvine spent the evening on the dance floor, joining members of the New York dance troupe Le Masquerade in a tribute to “Hollywood Nights.” The $200-per-person benefit was expected to net about $100,000 for the heart association.

Heart Beat

“This is not a typical disease ball,” said Heidi Miller, chairwoman of the 1992 gala, who was in charge of this year’s silent and live auctions.

“Whether you want to or not, you’re on the dance floor.”

Indeed, the Heart to Heart Gala is one black-tie benefit that has no long-winded speeches, and guests are never in their seats for long.

The event owes its high energy to the World Fantasy Performers of Le Masquerade, a troupe of dancers, actors and mimes from New York City that has performed five other times at the galas.

“Before (Le Masquerade), this was a run-of-the-mill fund-raiser,” said Craig Beam, immediate past chairman of the heart association’s California affiliate.

This year, in keeping with the Hollywood theme, Le Masquerade treated guests to a Broadway-style revue. Members dressed in lavish costumes and danced and lip-synced to numbers from “Grease,” “Fame,” “Singing in the Rain” and “Viva Las Vegas.” In between each number, they got people on the dance floor by fanning out among the crowd and pulling guests out of their chairs.

“This is good heart aerobics,” said Tom Sifferman, past gala chairman with his wife, LeeAnn.

Hurray for Hollywood

To create a Hollywood night, organizers decked the walls of the ballroom with Art Deco mirrors and blow-up stills of movie stars. Each table had a silver star at the center that held glittering branches, movie reels and a miniature Oscar statue.

“We chose the theme because we wanted to do something glamorous,” said JoAnne Stewart, event chairwoman, sporting a sparkling strapless black gown.

Most of the men wore tuxedos, with a few paying homage to the Heart Assn. by donning red bow ties and cummerbunds. Women wore everything from long formal gowns with full skirts to short halter dresses--one in fire engine red chiffon. Patti Wellman, event co-chairwoman, turned heads with her red and gold brocade jacket with rhinestone buttons and a long, slitted red skirt.

“I bought the fabric from Yves Saint Laurent and had the dress designed for me,” she said. “I’ve received so many compliments.”

In between dances, guests enjoyed a heart-healthy dinner of consomme of pheasant with wild mushrooms, bibb and red leaf lettuce with Cabernet vinaigrette, seafood pasta and, for dessert, an almond tulle basket with fresh fruit and berries.

Many support the heart association because they or their friends and family members have been affected by heart disease.

“My father has had two heart attacks,” said Don Chou, immediate past chairman of the Heart Assn.’s Orange County chapter. “He would not be alive without their research and programs.”

Among those attending were: Olav Bergheim, president of Baxter Healthcare Corp., which received the association’s Lifeline Achievement Award, and his wife, Laila, as well as Jim and Mimi Cora, John and Donna Crean, Dirk and Sally DeYoung, Margaret Edwards, Sam Goldstein, Ralph and Eva Mann, Vicki and Rick Pene, Joe and Dierdra Piegari, Wayne and Carol Plizga, Sheldon and Mary Rubenstein, Peter Stearn and Robert and Maureen Zehntner.