OUT AND ABOUT / CELEBRITY TENNIS CLASSIC : Stars Serve It Up

The Santa Monica Celebrity Tennis Classic promises to be a hit.

More than 100 actors, politicians, lawyers, doctors and musicians will participate in the tournament, the second annual charity fund-raiser that kicks off Friday at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

Things get started with a reception at 7 p.m. Friday, and tournament play gets underway Saturday at 10 a.m. with the first two rounds.

Tournament organizers will host a black-tie dinner Saturday evening. Festivities include a concert with music by the Charles McPherson Quartet.

Competition resumes Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The semifinal round begins at 10 a.m. on Monday followed by a noon tennis exhibition hosted by actors Eric Braeden and Jeffrey Henry. The championship will be held at 1:30 p.m. Immediately following, state Assembly Speaker Willie Brown Jr. will make the awards presentation.

Celebrity participants include Debbie Allen, Jim Brown, Chad and Shelby Everett, Robert Guillaume, David Soul and Olivia Brown. Actors Richard Roundtree and actress Claudette Roche will serve as honorary chairpersons of the event.

The tournament pays tribute to the late Dr. Charles R. Drew, whose research and theories on blood are considered some of the most significant developments in modern medicine. Proceeds from the event benefit the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles.

“I just feel that pulling for the community is so important,” said Chairwoman Claudette Roche. “I have come to a period in my life where I want to help. . . . The hospital helps so many people and their vision is so exciting.”

--CHRISTINA V. GODBEY

Tennis events will be at the Malibu Racquet Club, 23847 W. Stuart Ranch Road. The reception and black-tie dinner will be at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave. Admission is $25 to daily tennis events. Tickets to the dinner and concert are $125. Reservations are suggested. Information: (310) 855-0172.