RSVP / THE SOCIAL CITY : It Was a Waynes’ World at Dinner Dance

Jimmy’s parking garage in Beverly Hills, with masses of white lights overhead, was a wonderland for John Wayne Cancer Institute’s holiday-spirited dinner dance honoring its benefactors. And there were lots of wonders to behold--including zillions, it seemed, of Waynes, all dedicated to finding a cure in memory of actor John Wayne, who died of cancer in 1979.

The family’s persistence in finding benefactors, coupled with institute leadership by President Dr. Donald Morton, has already worked wonders to improve the quality of life for those afflicted with various kinds of cancer. The institute, located at Saint John’s Hospital & Health Center in Santa Monica, sees more than 700 melanoma patients a year and through the melanoma vaccine “has tripled the average life of a person with advanced melanoma,” says Morton.

Joyce Eisenberg Keefer and Laura Coates were wearing their John Wayne pins paved with diamonds (both have given more than $4 million). Melanoma survivors Steve Adamson (five years) and Peggy Maddox (11 years) took to the dance floor frequently. More supporters: Howard and Jackie Banchik, Tiffany’s Mary Swanby, Joyce Green, Nancy and Carroll O’Connor (who launched the $1,000 benefactors group), Jimmy Murphy and wife Anne, and all those Waynes--Michael and Gretchen Wayne, Tony La Cava, Patrick Wayne, Melinda Munoz and Aissa, Ethan and Marisa Wayne, for starters.

Superb Music: The new David John Falconer Memorial Organ at Saint James’ Episcopal Church on Wilshire Boulevard has put excitement into the church’s holiday music. According to rector the Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, the organ has been envisioned by the Ahmanson Foundation, Helen Parker, James Buonemani and many others as an enrichment for the entire Wilshire area of Los Angeles. Rather than mark the organ’s installation with just one dedicatory concert, officials plan inaugural performances throughout the year with special events culminating in November 1996 with a visit from the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Festive Night: All the rush rush of the holidays typified Les Amies’ annual Christmas cocktail buffet at the Bistro Garden. It’s a free-form party: Some danced on the patio, some feasted inside, some danced and feasted. Some just chatted merrily about the holidays. All benefited disabled children at the UCLA Intervention Program with their $165 tickets.

Prominent at the party were Nancy and Arden Day, Monty and Jo Fisher, Bill and Laura-Lee Woods, Margot Hirsh and Rita Cruikshank (co-chairwomen), Betty Landess, Maggie Edwards and Gene Croft, Betty and Kenneth Morgan, and Christine and James Econn.

Holiday Season: The Japan America Symphony Guild celebrates the season with a buffet and musicale today at Villa Elliott atop the cliffs of Palos Verdes Estates. President Maria Hodgson will greet members at the Palladian villa of Carolyn and Julian Elliott to music by Ravel. The guild benefits the Japan America Symphony Orchestra and the education of young musicians.

Elsewhere on the Social Circuit

* The Coronet Debutante Ball Board presented 14 debutantes over the Thanksgiving holidays at its ball at the Beverly Hilton. They were Ariela Abulafia, Amanda Vogel, Jannine Mackie, Vanessa Langridge, Melissa Ellis, Alexandra Mira, Jennifer Perucca, Jennifer Ruud, Jaime Salisian, Nicole Tilley, Kristin Woolley, Joelle Farmer, Margaret Gilman and Miriam Hodges. Sonia Randazzo was ball director.

* “Joy to the World” blossomed into an evening of celebration and music in Glendale when former Miss America Lee Meriwether took the stage at the Alex Theatre to benefit the American Red Cross. Others appearing were NBC weatherman Fritz Coleman, and singers Arlene Thomas and Gene Brundage. The event raised $40,000.

* Morris B. Abram, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations in Europe, was honored speaker at the Hadassah Southern California major gifts gala at the new Hebrew Union College Skirball Cultural Center. Also addressing the group was national major gifts chairwoman Joyce Rabin of New York.

* Rainbow Guild, dedicated to children with cancer and leukemia, saluted Dr. Carole Hurvitz, director of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Division, at its 24th annual Rainbow Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

* Keeping Up: Childhelp, founded 35 years ago by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, will benefit from the Lexus Challenge, hosted by U.S. Open professional Raymond Floyd on Wednesday through Saturday at La Quinta’s famous Citrus golf course. Joe Montana, Clint Eastwood, Arnold Palmer, James Woods are among playing celebrities.

* Mary Lou Loper’s column is published Sundays.