Parties With a Purpose: Singers and Society Types Alike Help Charities

Popster Richard Marx headlined the entertainment for the 350 guests at the Last Ball of the Century, a black-tie benefit for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Kids Mobile Medical Clinic outreach program. Jennifer Perry, executive director of the Children’s Action Network, was honored at the Beverly Hills Hotel bash Dec. 10. Donna Estes Antebi chaired the evening, which raised more than $800,000 to deliver free health care to families in low-income and under-served areas of L.A. County. Spotted in the crowd: California’s first lady, Sharon Davis, Irena and Mike Medavoy, Jennifer Flavin, Cheryl Tiegs, Maria Shriver, Bruce Jenner, Catherine Bach, Carol and Frank Biondi, and Lynda and Stewart Resnick. . . .

Singer Dale Kristien, known for her role as Christine in “Phantom of the Opera,” and Bill Hutton, the original Joseph of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” provided the enchantment for “Some Enchanted Evening” at the Skirball Center to benefit the Ark Trust, a national, nonprofit animal-protection organization. Robert Guillaume hosted the Dec. 17 evening, which also featured violin virtuoso Glenn Dicterow and renowned pianist Gerald Robbins. After the concert, which raised more than $20,000, performers joined 300 guests at a dessert reception. Among them: Gretchen Wyler, co-founder and president of the Ark Trust, Linda Blair and Tippi Hedren. . . .

Todd M. Morgan, new chairman of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles succeeding Lionel Bell, is the youngest man in recent years to lead the organization. At his installation dinner Dec. 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel, the 52-year-old Morgan pledged “to enlist new young leaders to do whatever we can to ensure that every hungry, sick and destitute Jew in Los Angeles receives the care they need. . . .” Dreamin’ about new wheels? Since 1905, the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show has drawn thousands of looky-loos. However, for the last five years, the show has offered a private preview night to benefit Homeless Health Care Los Angeles. This year’s sneak peek at the show, “California Dreamin’ 2000,” is scheduled for Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center. If you’d like to see the latest motor trends--and meet William Shatner, call (888) 847-7799. Admission is $75.