Gala Goes Boldly Into Millennium

Blending a bold look to the future with a reverent nod to the past, Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach will bring its interpretation of this year’s hot party theme--”entering the new millennium”--to the Orange County social scene May 23 at the annual Art of Dining.

Sponsored by the Orange County Museum of Art, the county’s premier culinary benefit will be “unparalleled to any social event on the West Coast,” said style maven Ken Downing, a corporate vice president of the Dallas-based department store chain. “It’s all in the details.”

Downing knows. He and his staff help create unique themes at social gatherings around the country. A recent undertaking: the launch of a photography exhibit by Herb Ritts (he shoots everything from Vanity Fair covers to Madonna videos) at Fort Lauderdale’s museum of art.

At that Florida event, Downing said, “We built a stage around a courtyard fountain and had the water spilling over 20 men wearing black and white swim trunks.”

The Orange County Museum of Art hopes to top the $700,000-plus it raised at last year’s benefit. Proceeds help pay for museum exhibitions and its art education programs for children.

In store for guests who ante up $1,000 each to attend the feast at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach: a stark, modern atmosphere--”featuring thousands of candles,” Downing said--spiced with antique furniture pieces on loan from jewelry designer Tony Duquette.

Duquette--a Los Angeles designer whose baubles are featured in selected Neiman Marcus stores--was a creator of glamorous Hollywood stage sets during the ‘30s and ‘40s. “He has a wonderful collection of opium beds, temple gods, jardinieres,” Downing said.

The concept for the gala’s table centerpieces is still in the works. “We’re looking at something sculptural--possibly pagoda-like huts integrated with fruit.”

Invited by gala chairwoman Marsha Anderson of Newport Beach to develop a design concept for the event, Downing chose the “entering the millennium” theme.

It’s the trend in design right now. “Millennium style is all about being headed toward the future while not ignoring the design elements of the past,” Downing said. “It’s an ultramodern look enhanced by international accents. It says, ‘We’re becoming one world; our boundaries are disappearing.’ ”

The gala’s gourmet fare will be whipped up by five Orange County chefs: Michel Pieton (the Four Seasons hotel); Tim Goodell (Troquet, Costa Mesa); Pascal Olhats (Pascal, Newport Beach); Michael Kang (Five Feet, Laguna Beach); and Laurent Brazier (Picayo, Laguna Beach).

The department store will showcase models sporting fashions and fine jewelry at the benefit. On the drawing board, too: several pre-gala events at the store to celebrate the style emporium’s participation.

“We’re excited about doing this for the museum,” Downing said. “We know there’s a huge art community there--people with amazing homes who love great design. We’re going all out.”

Stanley Marcus, the store’s 93-year-old founder and an avid art collector, will be among the gala’s 430 guests. Marcus is being honored by the museum for his contributions to the world of art.

His presence at the gala is an added incentive for the store’s design team to create a knockout event.

“Mr. Marcus is definitely someone who pays attention to detail. We want it perfect for him,” Downing said.

For information: (949) 759-1122.

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Giving back: Supporters of the Olive Crest Abused Children’s Foundation gathered at the Corona del Mar home of Sylvia and Lynn Burnett on Sunday to offer their financial support for the nonprofit organization’s upcoming 25th anniversary gala.

About 50 patrons waved paddles fashioned out of lollipops to signal their interest in helping to underwrite items for An Enchanted Evening in a Child’s Garden at the Disneyland Hotel on March 27.

Up for grabs: everything from the gala centerpieces to entertainment by singer Davis Gaines.

Leading the way with a donation of $50,000--to underwrite dinner for about 1,000 guests--was Virginia Knott Bender of Newport Beach. Bender is the daughter of Walter and Cordelia Knott, founders of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park.

“I never thought I’d ever be able to do something like this,” said Bender, who attended the cocktail reception with her husband, Paul. “We were a poor family when we started out. But since we sold the farm [in 1997], I’ve wanted to give back to the community,” she said. “I’ve been able to give away more than a million during the past year.”

For gala information: (714) 543-5437.