An Off-Season Mardi Gras for AIDS

So what if Mardi Gras came several months too soon? Supporters of the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County thought a Fat Tuesday fest was the most colorful way to inaugurate a new fund-raiser--an annual “World’s Fair” at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

More than 1,000 people climbed aboard classic midway rides, sampled Big Easy-style fare and watched as a parade of flamboyantly dressed foundation supporters rolled down “Bourbon Street” at last weekend’s event that netted more than $350,000 for patient services. At the helm: King Rex himself, Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Bruce Vilanch.

“We help 1,400 clients with direct services that include support groups, benefit advocacy and a food pantry,” said Ken Jillson, event co-chairperson with Judy Fluor-Runels and Jorge Rodriquez.

An army of volunteers helped pull off the extravaganza that also featured a performance by the Soul Connection gospel choir and fine dining for major donors in roped-off areas dubbed the Royal Courtyard and the Garden District.

“We got involved with the foundation five years ago after we lost a nephew, Eddie, to AIDS,” said volunteer Jerry Dunn of Tustin, who attended the bash with his wife, Marcia. “We love this group.”

-- Ann Conway

Centre Theater Group Celebrates

Center Theatre Group celebrated the launch of its 35th season last weekend with a benefit that raised $250,000 for the Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum. Judy and Tom Beckmen and Sheri and Les Biller co-chaired the doings, which began at sunset with a cocktail reception on the Music Center Plaza followed by a performance of Matthew Bourne’s “The Car Man” at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Immediately after the show, dinner was served in the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Gala-goers were treated to a medley of songs from productions that are in the new season at the Ahmanson and Mark Taper Forum. Suzanna Guzman sang “Habanera” from “Carmen”; Lea Salonga performed “Love, Look Away” from “Flower Drum Song”; Sharon Brown and Davis Gaines teamed up on “Written in the Stars” from Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida”; and Dale Kristien performed “On the Steps of the Palace” from “Into the Woods.”

Guests included CTG Board President Richard Kagan, his daughter Kelly and wife Judy Hagarty; CTG Board Chairwoman Phyllis Hennigan and her husband, Michael; Louise and Barry Taper, Patricia Glaser, Judith and Steve Krantz, Jonathan Silverman, who emceed, and director-choreographer Matthew Bourne along with his proud parents, June and Jim Bourne, who came from London for the opening.

What’s next for Bourne? He’s working on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific”; a wordless musical based on Tim Burton’s film “Edward Scissorhands”; and a documentary on male dancers.

-- Patt Diroll

Tea and Mad Hats at AIDS Benefit

The invitations decreed mad hats and dancing shoes for Summer Insanity, a Mad Tea Party to benefit Pasadena-based AIDS Service Center last Sunday afternoon. Staged on the rolling lawns of the Arboretum of Los Angeles County in Arcadia, the garden gala and auction drew more than 600 for tea (the Long Island variety), designer martinis and specialties from nine Pasadena eateries. The styles of headgear in the crowd ran from Ascot to absurd. Event chairman George Martin and Jim Watterson sported rhinestone-encrusted bowlers. Peacock feathers fluttered atop Robin Jacobs, who came from Chatsworth “because,” she said, “my daughter, Ariel, who died in 1998 at age 15, was a client of the center so I have remained very much involved with its programs.”

Edith Roberts said she found her Mamie Eisenhower-era number in her basement. Sheila Grether set off a satin cheongsam with a mortarboard and flip-flops. Beverly Alison sported a white chef’s toque and Rick Olson wore his “Beany” cap with propeller. A commedia dell’arte troupe paraded with models wearing fall fashions from Neiman-Marcus.

The event, which raised more than $95,000, took months of fine-tuning. Martin, who started the project in January, said, “It was all worth it because an event like this expands the awareness of the center’s services beyond Pasadena. People come here from throughout Southern California because we help the whole family.”

-- P.D.

Coming Up:

* TreePeople will honor Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, producers of “Once and Again,” at “An Evening Under the Harvest Moon” to be held Saturday at Coldwater Canyon Park. Tickets $250. Call (310) 559-9334.

* The Long Beach Cancer League of the American Cancer Society is staging its Cattle Baron’s gala Saturday at the Green on the Hill in Signal Hill. Tickets $125 to $200. Call (213) 736-5075.

* The second annual Party on the Pier to benefit Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA takes place Sept. 23 at Pacific Park, Santa Monica. Tickets $20 for children: $40 for adults. Call (310) 825-2101.

* Third annual dinner to benefit Mountain Meals on Wheels will be held Sept. 23 at the Lake Arrowhead Resort in Lake Arrowhead. Tickets $75. Call (909) 337-6916.

* The Alumni Assn. of SCI-Arc, Southern California Institute of Architecture, presents “East of Eden,” its second annual “Main Event” fund-raiser, Sept. 29 at the school’s new campus in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets $135. Call (213) 613-2200.

* The Huntington Ball 2001, “Celebrating New Vistas,” to benefit the programs at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, will be Sept. 29. Tickets $350. (626) 405-2264.

* The Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA will honor Lew R. Wasserman and family at “Reflections,” a dinner dance Sept. 29 to be staged under the stars on the Westwood campus. Tickets $500. (310) 825-4148.