Tripping the Light Fantastic--in Tribute

It took designer David Jones three days to hang 280 white Japanese lanterns on the Plaza of the Music Center.

Their glowing effect on a starlit night for the Founders League gala created what must have been the prettiest party of summer. Sixty-five white-clothed tables for 10 were decorated with huge arrangements of aromatic red, white and salmon-colored geraniums.

Peter Duchin of New York and his orchestra, ensconced on an elevated stage in front of the Jacques Lipchitz sculpture and the Plaza fountains, enticed an elated crowd to twirl the fantastic to classics--”Embraceable You,” “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me).”

The night, on July 17, was a tribute to Gordon Davidson, the artistic director/producer of the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre, and was among events that have been celebrating Center Theatre Group’s 30th anniversary all year.

Earlier the crowd had enjoyed Neil Simon’s “Proposals” at the Ahmanson. Davidson missed the theater part of the evening because he was directing “Nine Armenians” at the Taper next door.

Kudos go to Curt Tamkin, chairman of the Founders League, and his wife Priscilla. Tamkin presented Davidson with an enormous two-volume edition of Shakespeare bound in Moroccan leather and containing 49 steel engravings. It took two to carry.

The gift, however, didn’t come until after Mariette Hartley had lauded Davidson for his 30 years heading the theaters. “I adore him,” she said. Nancy Dussault spoke of how Davidson had allowed actors to experiment. “We’ll be loving you always,” sang Dussault, to the tune of “Always.”

Gregory Peck calling Davidson “a work in progress,” recalled the controversial early Mark Taper play “The Devils” and ended his tribute with, “Bless you, Lad.”

Tributes also came from Charlton Heston and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.

Then Peter Duchin cut in with “Makin’ Whoopee.” Taking to the dance floor were Carolbeth and Lester Korn, Mary and Reese Milner, Rebecca and Mike Kubacki, Don and Sharon Wright, Donna Tuttle and David Elmore, Davidson and his wife, Judi, Hal and Eunice David, Bill Norris and his wife, Jane Jelenko, Sandy Krause with Bill Fitzgerald, and Larry and Joni Flax. Many stopped to watch as “Proposals” stars Suzanne Cryer, Reg Rogers, Peter Rini and Katie Finneran cut a rug.

Feasting on Restaurant Associates’ menu of Davidson favorites--medallions of Maine lobster, lamb loin and forest mushrooms, vanilla ice cream with marinated berries and crushed Almond Roca--was a crowd including Music Center Board of Governors Chairwoman Andrea Van de Kamp with husband John, Barry and Louise Taper, Blue Ribbon President Joni Smith and husband Clark, Rosemarie Stack, and Michael and Phyllis Hennigan.

The toasts with the Pierre Jouet champagne were nonstop.

*

So Romantic: An almost-full moon hovered over the Birnam Wood Golf Club in Montecito for the summery wedding reception on July 19 for Stephanie Lindus, daughter of Clay and Nancy Jo Lindus, formerly of Pasadena, now of Montecito, and Sean Hoover of San Francisco. The couple recited vows in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Montecito before the reception.

Lemons and white and yellow roses set the tone. The wedding cake was lemon-flavored, tied with green and white striped ribbon.

The evening before, while the wedding party was at the rehearsal, Janice and Bob Carpenter of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, hosted three tables at the Valley Club. The morning after the nuptials, Judy and Fred Brandt, Russell and Sallie White, Julie and Art Pizzinat, and Cynthia and Hank Yost gave a luncheon for out-of-towners by the sea at Charlie Munger’s Le Tennis Club.

Some used the weekend to drop in on the Music Academy of the West competition for Concerto Night soloists. Mary Alice and Pen Tudor, and Amanda and Jim McIntyre were among the many hosting house guests.

*

Very French: Ginny and Dick Stever’s Pasadena house is filled with beautiful armoires, rococo mirrors, and blue and white striped canvas sofas. They added bouquets of blue delphiniums and red and white roses and garlanded their entry in red/white/blue. Why? No, not the Fourth of July. Bastille Day on July 14.

“I love France,” said Ginny.

Loving it with her were nearly 180 friends.

Elsewhere on the Social Circuit

Anna Murdoch, wife of Rupert, has been named president of the board of trustees for Children’s Institute International, a nonprofit recognized for treatment and prevention of child abuse. She frequents Sacramento and Capitol Hill, focusing on policymakers on behalf of children.

* Could you hear it from the Beach Club? “Bach Hit the Beach” in Santa Monica for the annual Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s picnic and sunset music on July 19. Pam West, president, and Hilda Adler and Jeanie Kemp planned the “meet the music” outreach for the First Cut support group and members’ own children. However, the orchestra also plays educational concerts annually for more than 7,000 middle and senior high school students in Los Angeles.