Going Back in Time With the Philharmonic to California Mexicana

The International Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated the new millennium with a nod to a culture that was here long before stagecoaches, red cars and freeways.

This year, the group’s 49th annual ball, “Serenata Mexicana Gala del Milenio,” at the Regent Beverly Wilshire on April 15 honored Mexico and its Consul General Jose Luis Bernal and his wife, Bertha Alicia.

“Mexico’s culture has been a part of L.A. for centuries,” Bernal said, “but the Philharmonic has built bridges across borders by introducing the works of Mexican composers in its repertoire. Music is the best ambassador.”

Nati Cano’s Mariachi Los Camperos set the mood as guests and a procession of 36 members of L.A.’s consular corps entered the ballroom.

Committee president Gertilda Voss Conti and event co-chairwomen Aida Gaona, Tammy Dimitri, Maria Uribe and Rabab Ashley, taking their theme from Diego Rivera’s famous calla lilies, massed the flowers on each table. After dinner, the Mexican troupe You’Ma Sapei from the Institute of Fine Arts of Baja California performed a spectacular mosaic of music and dance, setting “The Rain Deer” dance of the Aztecs to the strains of the contemporary “Son de la Negra.”

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For all the years we lived in Arcadia, Hampton Road was my beaten path. I know every house on that road. And there was just no way that there could be one big enough to qualify for the Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee’s annual Showcase House of Design.

Wrong. Back from the street, much to my surprise, stands a treasure, long obscured by tall shrubbery, a magnificent California Colonial designed by architect Roland Coate. It emerged after a three-month Cinderella treatment on April 14 for the Showcase Premiere Night. Not a single board has been disturbed in Coate’s 12,000 square-foot home designed for the Barker family of Barker Brothers Furniture. Amazingly, it was completed in wartime--from 1941 to 1943--at a cost of $70,000. The Barkers lived there until 1959, then sold it to its current resident. This is my favorite showcase house ever. (I say that every year.) Perhaps this one appeals to me because I love the old ‘hood, or because the decor makes sense, unlike that of showcase homes past--with their neon discos and opium-den boudoirs. A family could actually live here . . . for a mere $3.85 million.

For the premiere-night bash, the hard-working Junior committee members swapped their grubbies for glad rags, and the garden became a scene right out of “The Great Gatsby.” Benefit chairwoman Susan Sposato in a bouffant mimosa silk ballgown and Junior Philharmonic president Karen Stracka, sleek in black and white, glowed in the doorway as the black-tie crowd arrived. After house tours, guests partied past midnight in a transparent plastic tent on the grounds of the Arboretum of Los Angeles County. . . . Now, if I could just win the lottery.

The showcase is open Wednesday to Sunday until May 14. Tickets range from $18-$25. Information: (626) 792-4661.

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Smart Spring suits in bonbon colors, gorgeous Easter hats and white gloves. What a pleasure to see them all on parade at the Beverly Hills Hotel last Wednesday for the Los Angeles Orphanage Guild’s annual benefit for Maryvale. Just like the good old days, dear hearts, when ladies really dressed for a fashion luncheon--not a tattoo, exposed navel or pierced body part to be seen.

Hollywood’s affable honorary mayor, Johnny Grant, who emceed, reminded the more than 200 guests that Maryvale’s history is also a timeline of Los Angeles, dating back to 1856, when six members of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul stepped off a dusty stagecoach to help the sick and poor. They not only established the original L.A. Orphan Asylum on the site where Union Station now stands, but later founded St. Vincent Hospital.

When one of the sisters heard at the luncheon that Harrison Ford will appear on the cover of the group’s annual Mother’s Day newspaper insert, she chirped, “I’ll be happy to assist with the photo shoot.” Girls will be girls.