Jazz at the Phil

The mood was anything but indigo for the L.A. Philharmonic’s gala tribute to American jazz legend Duke Ellington. The first-time departure from the concert’s traditional longhair program, the music had the black-tie crowd rocking to Ellington classics: “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Mood Indigo” and “Caravan.”

More than 400 guests attended the benefit Oct. 3 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion that featured soprano Audra McDonald, Quincy Jones, the Sultans of Swing and the Philharmonic under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen.

A champagne reception preceded the performance, where lively bidding at a silent auction raised $100,000. (The “Walter Mitty” item, a chance to conduct the national anthem at the Hollywood Bowl, went for $5,000). Funds are earmarked for the Musicians Pension Fund and music programs for L.A. schoolchildren.

Ginny Mancini and Jones chaired the post-performance dinner dance in the Grand Hall, which was transformed into a ‘40s supper-club scene with gardenias and candles afloat in large crystal fishbowls. Patina caterers served an all-American menu of Yankee pot roast, chocolate cake and California wines.

“The Duke is such an American classic,” said Deborah Borda, of the L.A. Phil. “He’s a musical hero, whose essence is everything exciting and good about America. And now it seems more fitting than ever.”

Among others on the scene: Hizzoner Jim Hahn and his mother, Ramona; Philharmonic Board Chairman Robert Weingarten and his wife, Paloma; board president John Hotchkis and his daughter, Carey; Edythe and Eli Broad; Andrea and John Van de Kamp; Ernest Fleischmann; Ginny and John Cushman; Eunice and Hal David; Marilyn and Alan Bergman; Barbara and Robert Barrett; Stephanie and LeVar Burton; Astrid Rottman; Carol and Stephen Rountree; Nancy and Don DeBrier; Lois Rosen and Don Bogish; Jennifer and Royce Diener; Annette and Peter O’Malley; Lenore and Bernard Greenberg; Priscilla and Curtis Tamkin; Emanuel Ax; Gerald Katel; and Anita and Saul Levine.

Patt Diroll

Kid-Minded Festival

Kids and grown-ups played under the shade trees that line Oak Canyon Park at the Family Fall Festival sponsored by the 44 Women for Children auxiliary of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

There was pumpkin painting, wrestling in inflatable body suits and a barbecue--not to mention a bullfrog-jumping contest that was the scream-punctuated highlight of the benefit in Orange that raised $40,000 for the group’s Peer Counselor Fund. The fund provides opportunities for former foster youths to counsel teens at Orangewood shelters for abused and neglected children.

“We thought it was a great idea to have a benefit where people could have fun with their families,” said Gene Howard, foundation executive director. “That’s what we’re about--helping families have good times.”

Regina Manian chaired last weekend’s festival.

Ann Conway

Toasting AbilityFirst

The grounds of Shirley and Laith Alsarraf’s aerie in the Sierra Madre Villa area of Pasadena were the setting for the 27th Gourmet Festival of Fall. Sponsored by the Crown Guild of the Lawrence L. Frank Center of AbilityFirst, the event showcased the specialties of 35 restaurants and wineries.

More than 400 guests turned out for last weekend’s event to graze on everything from tacos to tabbouleh. The afternoon raised nearly $30,000 for the center’s programs for disabled children and adults in the San Gabriel Valley.

The center first opened its doors in 1968 to provide vocational training for adults and after-school and extended day programs for children and teenagers. “We stress abilities, not disabilities,” said center director, Michael Barkyoumb.

Lee Meriwether, a longtime honorary co-chairwoman of AbilityFirst, was on hand for the party along with state Sen. Jack Scott, (D-Altadena), and AbilityFirst president Ritchie Geisel. Kristan Rygg is Crown Guild president; Toni Whiting chaired the event.

P.D.

Bowers Preview

Supporters of the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana attended a preview reception for its new exhibit, “The Holy Land: David Roberts, The Dead Sea Scrolls, House of David Inscription,” last weekend.

More than 300 guests cruised a display of mid-19th century lithographs created by Roberts and two fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the earliest known copies of the Old Testament. Also on display: the stone bearing the House of David Inscription, the earliest mention of the Davidic Dynasty outside of biblical text.

“This exhibit marks the first time the stone has been out of Israel,” said Peter Keller, museum president. “And only the second time the scrolls have been transported from there.” The exhibit continues through Jan. 9.

A.C.

Symphony Classics

The Pacific Symphony Orchestra League’s “Opening Night Tchaikovsky Gala” drew hundreds of music lovers to a supper of borscht infused with rosemary cream, Champagne-poached salmon and strawberries Romanov before they watched music director Carl St.Clair lead the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center performance Oct. 3 launched the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Classics Concert Season. The supper, underwritten by Mikimoto, was staged in the Grand Lobby of nearby Imperial Bank.

During dinner, St.Clair said the symphony would dedicate its “America Sings” concerts on Nov. 14-15--featuring the world premiere of “An American Requiem” by Richard Danielpour--”to the heroes who lost their lives on Sept.11.”

A.C

Coming Up

* The second annual “Evening of the Senses” featuring Wayne Newton, Bob Saget and Howie D of the Backstreet Boys, a benefit for Lupus LA, takes place tonight at the Beverly Hills home of Marla and Bud Paxson. Tickets, $500. Call (310) 659-9705.

* The Maple Counseling Center will pay tribute to Beverly Hills Mayor Vicki Reynolds and her husband, Murray Pepper, for their community service at the annual Crystal Ball Wednesday at Merv Griffin’s Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets, $275. Call (310) 271-9999, Ext. 481.

* Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, Judge Terry Friedman and Union Bank of California will be honored by Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services at its 2001 Mentor Awards Gala Wednesday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Tickets, $300 to $500. Call (323) 341-5500.

* Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera will honor Ana Maria Martinez, Marta Domingo and Alberto Vilar at the Placido Domingo Award Dinner following the opening-night performance of “La Traviata” Thursday at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Tickets, $200 to $265. Call (213) 972-7498.

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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 is at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.