Pop Tribute

Cindy Shilkret’s eyes were shining with tears as she swept into a reception after a performance by Olivia Newton-John at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

The Grammy Award-winning pop icon had dedicated her final number, “I Honestly Love You,” to the memory of Shilkret’s late husband, Wayne, the center’s former executive director. He was 66 when he died in March of cancer.

“That was so special,” said Cindy, who has helped organize a fund in her husband’s name that will help promote classical music. “Wayne believed in educating people about classical music in a fun way,” she said. “This fund will help support programs in music education and help us expand our [classical] audience.”

Newton-John--who is on a 30-city national tour--popped into the Sierra Room reception last weekend to recognize major supporters of the center.