Social Circuits

Glowing Gala

In a flurry of top hats and tails, supporters of the Orange County Performing Arts Center celebrated at the center’s annual Candlelight Concert, netting $1 million for the facility’s education, performance and community programs.

More than 450 guests enjoyed the $2,500-per-ticket Art Deco-style gala last weekend that began with a cocktail reception and ended with an onstage feast.

What came between at the white-tie optional soiree will keep attendees humming for months: an hourlong concert by jazz virtuoso Diana Krall in Segerstrom Hall. The sultry-sounding performer sang classics such as “Let’s Fall in Love” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” while accompanying herself on piano.

Afterward, guests watched as a movie image of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers--flying across the floor in “Top Hat”--rolled across a giant screen. The stage curtain then rose on a dinner inspired by cuisine popularized in the 1930s: shrimp cocktail, chicken consomme in puff pastry and beef tenderloin with Bearnaise sauce.

Guests dined at tables covered with amethyst satin and crowned with towering saucer-shaped champagne glasses filled with floating gardenias and flickering candles.

A performance of holiday songs by the Pacific Chorale’s John Alexander Singers capped the evening.

Guests included gala chairwoman Patricia Marshall and her husband Bob Marshall; Marsha and Darrel Anderson; Roger and Gail Kirwan; Jerry and Whitney Mandel; Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom; and Mark and Barbara Johnson.

--Ann Conway

Muppet Fur Flies

“God only knows how many Muppets died to make one of these!” wailed screenwriter Dave Sheridan, as he gazed in horror at the acrylic fur tablecloths at the VIP reception preceding the Muppet Show’s 25th anniversary bash to benefit Save the Children. Sheridan was among the Muppet creative force, past and present, who walked the Kermit-green carpet at the Palace in Hollywood for last Sunday’s celebration culminating the two-day MuppetFest held at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

Muppets creator Jim Henson started out with a local Washington, D.C., show in 1955, but it wasn’t until 1976 that his talking frog and sensual sow leaped to show-biz heights with their own prime-time series. In honor of the anniversary, Kermit and the Muppet critters performed “live” on stage with real-life stars Paul Williams, Jon Voight and Brooke Shields. Good sport Voight donned a chicken suit to join a chorus of clucking Leghorns; and Shields wore a porcine proboscis to stand in for Miss Piggy, who messaged via video that she was busy with her own PigFest. The Henson clan was on hand, including Jim’s widow, Jane, and children Brian, Lisa, Heather and John.

It’s been more than a decade--May 1990--since Jim Henson died at age 53, but the aura of his genius lingers. “The toughest thing about writing for the Muppets,” noted Sheridan, “is trying to protect the franchise, yet make the material fresh and appealing to the edgy taste of today’s generation. Jim isn’t here anymore, but the challenge is always there: ‘What would Jim want to do?’”

More than 600 Muppet devotees turned out, including Jolie Fisher, Adrian Frantz, Martha and Dino De Laurentiis, Melissa Rivers, Mia Sara, Mark Haber, Chris Henchy, Maria Bello, Dan McDermott, Richard Hoff, Jeffrey Wine, and two guys in gorilla suits, who romped through the crowd with Sweetums in tow. The event raised more than $60,000 for Save the Children programs.

--Patt Diroll

Dickens Dinner

Only one Trojan was among the honorees at USC Thornton School of Music’s annual Dickens Dinner at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Durable musical star John Raitt, co-recipient with his daughter Bonnie Raitt of the school’s 2001 Magnum Opus Award, was a freshman at USC in 1935. Bonnie is a Harvard alumna, and Carol and Warner Henry, who received the Dickens Medals of Honor for their longtime support of the arts in Southern California, are Stanford grads. In accepting the red-and-gold beribboned medals, Warner Henry said, “I’m a rabid fan of that school to the north. It took great courage to have us here. At least we share the color cardinal with you.”

Jane and Kris Popovich chaired the Dec. 7 event, which featured an English-style holiday dinner, serenades by the USC brass and string ensemble, costumed carolers and a performance by the Raitts accompanied by the Thornton Tribute Ensemble.

The event raised more than $300,000 for scholarships, due in part to a matching gift from John Herklotz in memory of his wife, pianist Dale Melbourne, who died in 1998. The proceeds will launch the Bonnie Raitt and John Raitt Scholarships at USC. This year John’s scholarship went to soprano Anya Matanovic; Bonnie’s will be shared by jazz guitarists Bryan Clark and Ronald Muldrow.

--P.D.

Accent on Youth

Four community leaders were honored for their contributions by 100 Black Men of Orange County at its annual Celebration of Youth gala, which drew more than 650 people and grossed more than $100,000 for scholarships

Recognized at the event at the Hyatt Regency Irvine were Wanda Jefferson, chief executive of the Young Ladies with Potential; Oscar Streeter, chief radiologist at USC/Norris Cancer Center; Synthia Saint James, an artist who designed the Kwanzaa stamp; and Kenneth Lombard, president of Johnson Development Corp. in Beverly Hills.

Two outstanding young talents were also honored at the gala last weekend and presented with $1,000 checks toward advancement of their careers: Joshua Ballard, 11, who wrote a curriculum for entrepreneurship at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, and his brother, Christopher Ballard, 12, an accomplished violinist and pianist who performed at the inauguration of President Bush.

“This event epitomizes what happens when we invest in our youth--tomorrow’s leaders--by helping them reach their full potential with the support of the community,” said Ronald E. Taylor, president of 100 Black Men of Orange County.

--A.C.

Heritage Honorees

The California Club’s main dining room was aglitter with lush holiday greens for the Music Center’s fifth annual Heritage Salutes gala, which honored Harlyne Norris of Rolling Hills, Nadine and Ed Carson of Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles Times for ongoing contributions to the performing arts.

Norris is chairman of the Norris Foundation, which underwrites the group’s annual Children’s Festival at the Music Center. Ed Carson is a member of the Music Center board of directors; Nadine Carson serves on the Blue Ribbon board. The couple, who are Music Center Grand Patrons, have also funded the South Terrace Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Founded in 1989, Heritage is composed of donors and volunteers who have supported the center for more than 20 years. Jess Marlow of KCET’s “Life and Times” emceed the Dec. 5 program, which included an lively rendition of “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady” by L.A. Opera baritone John Atkins.

Alyce de Roulet Williamson chaired the event along with Caroline Ahmanson, Diane Disney Miller and Barry Taper. Spotted in the crowd: Bettina and Otis Chandler; Al Casey, first president of the Music Center board, who flew in from Dallas; Warren Williamson; Camilla Chandler Frost; Nancy and Charles Munger; Otis Booth and Lynn Hirsch; Liz and Bob Erburu; Liz and John Puerner, who accepted the award on behalf of The Times; Tom Johnson; Steve Meier; Flora Thornton; Vi Nason and Charles Schneider; Bob Egelston and Veronica Pastel; Linda and Bob Silverstein; and Nancy and Alan Livingston.

--P.D.

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Information for Social Circuits can be directed to Patt Diroll in Los Angeles or Ann Conway in Orange County. Diroll is at pattdiroll@earthlink.net; Conway at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.