Armory Opener

The Armory Center for the Arts reopened its doors last weekend with a three-day festival celebrating the completion of a nine-month renovation. The project, at a cost of $2.4 million, was more than just a face lift for the onetime home of the National Guard. Innovative architects Donna Vaccarino and Aleks Istanbullu have given the 1932 Pasadena landmark a whole new look by reconfiguring the existing space and adding 6,800 square feet for expanded arts programs.

“This is a combination of engineering and magic,” Armory executive director Scott Ward said in welcoming the local political gentry and artists to the opening reception. More than 600 guests turned out for the April 12 event, which included specialties from local restaurants and a preview of “New Works, New Spaces,” the rejuvenated gallery’s first exhibit, which showcases works by 11 Southland artists.

Among the works: an “ARTS” sign at the entrance created by Wade Convay from a bullet-riddled metal wall once used for target practice; a display in the former ammo-storage vault by artist Tamara Fites titled “U-Store-It,” and a chandelier concocted by Lorraine Cleary with prisms of assorted breast prostheses filled with hair-styling gel.

Guests included Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and state Sen. Jack Scott (D-Altadena), armed with the requisite proclamations, and Armory board president Harvey Knell and his wife, Ellen. Among artists checking out the scene were Jirayr Zorthian, Bruce Richards, Helen Pashgian, Eileen Cowin, Gifford Myers and Steve Galloway.

Also in the crowd: Wendy Munger, Lena Kennedy, Maureen and Robert Carlson, Phoebe and Lawrence Wilson, Susan and John Caldwell, Elisa and Eric Callow, Martha Williams, Stephen Kanter, Connie Lue, Percy Clark, David Banis, Carolyn and Scott Cutler, John Dale, Sally and Bill Hurt, Wesley Jessup, Jeanette O’Malley, Ginger Krueger, Buff Magaw, Joan and Jeffrey Palmer, Peggy Phelps, Rhonda Stone, Carolyn and Craig Watson and Rosamund Felsen.

The next day, there was an opportunity to make art at the center using a Lincoln Town Car donated by attendee Dianne Magee: the vehicle became the Armory’s official pop-mobile when it was painted with psychedelic colors by young festival-goers.

--Patt Diroll

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New Directions

Supporters of New Directions for Women, a residential treatment center for alcoholics, celebrated its 25th anniversary with an afternoon tea and a salute to co-founder Muriel Zink.

The Costa Mesa-based center, which includes the new Pamela Wilder Family Home for women and their children, was the first facility in Orange County to offer gender-specific treatment, executive director Jan Christie said during the event at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. “Statistics show this is the most effective way to treat women because they’re more likely to explore core issues when men aren’t present,” she said.

Zink, 84, tells women alcoholics they are “not guilty for having a bona-fide disease, but they are responsible for what they do about it. New Directions gives them the help they need.”

The April 10 event sponsored by the facility’s Las Socias Auxiliary raised about $10,000. Proceeds will be used for programs and services.

Guests also included event chairwoman Lynn Penoyer, Linda Collister, Lyn Wilder, Allison Wilder, Faith Strong, Cecilia Nott, Ruth Stafford, Maryanna Jeppe and Allison Carracino.

--Ann Conway

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Race Preview

Lush tropical plants and the festive sounds of a steel drum provided the backdrop for the “Life Is One Long Weekend” benefit for the El Viento Foundation at Tommy Bahama’s restaurant in Newport Beach.

About 200 guests sipped rum drinks, sampled island fare and bid on auction items to help raise funds for the foundation, which was established in 1997 by Jack Shaw and Ellen Shockro of Newport Beach.

The organization provides underserved schoolkids with the chance to participate in marine activities and education programs while earning credit toward community college scholarships. “If they stay with the program, keep their grades up, we pay their tuitions,” Shaw said. “This is our way of helping break the cycle of poverty.”

The April 13 event was held in conjunction with the upcoming Tommy Bahama Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race. The foundation is the beneficiary of the April 26 race, board member Ralph Rodheim said, who estimates the events will raise $15,000 for El Viento.

--A.C.

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Coming up:

* The 2002 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, a historic mansion nestled in the Altadena foothills, opens today and continues through May 19. Tickets: $17 and $22 in advance; $20 and $25 after April 21. Call (626) 792-4661.

* Annette Bening and Jason Alexander will headline an all-star cast for “Backstage at the Geffen,” the inaugural fund-raising event for Westwood’s Geffen Playhouse on Monday. Tickets: $200-$500. Call (310) 201-5033.

* Art Heals Hearts, the ninth annual Cindy Landon Luncheon to benefit Free Arts for Abused Children, is set for Wednesday at Hazard Ranch in Malibu. Tickets: $85. Call (310) 313-4278.

* Marvin B. Grossman will be honored by the American Jewish Committee at annual Learned Hand Award Dinner on Wednesday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets: $350. Call (310) 282-8080, Ext. 306.

* Operation Children’s spring luncheon will feature the fashions of David Hayes on Thursday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets: $80. Call (818) 957-4551.

* The USC Black Alumni Assn. hosts its Alumni Awards and Scholarship Benefit on Thursday at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets: $250. Call (213) 740-1744.

* An exhibit of Asian fashion and culture to benefit scholarships takes place Friday and Saturday at the Seeley Mudd Theater on the campus of the Claremont School of Theology. Tickets: $35. Call (909) 447-2556.

* The Kayne-Eras Center for the developmentally impaired will benefit from the gala celebration of columnist Army Archerd’s 50th year at Daily Variety to be held Friday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets: $500. Call (310) 201-5033.

* Auxiliary for Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women will hold its 18th annual Forget-Me-Not Awards benefit luncheon Saturday at the Ebell Club, Los Angeles. Tickets: $65. Call (818) 244-6272.

* AIDS Service Center hosts its fifth annual Big Night Out, a series of 20 dinner parties in Pasadena area homes, on Saturday. Tickets: $150-$200. Call (626) 441-8495, Ext. 244.

* The Red Cross of Santa Monica will hold its eighth annual Spirit Awards gala on Saturday at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. Tickets: $175. Call (310) 394-3773, .

* Vintage L.A. Fashions for the Future, the second annual benefit for the Salvation Army Alegria, will be Saturday at the Museum of Neon Art and Hope Street Park. Tickets: $75. Call (213) 553-3268.

* The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation is hosting its “A Night of Heroes” bachelor auction of firefighters and law enforcement personnel Saturday at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Tickets: $35. Call (818) 249-2230.

* The Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and KTLA Charities host the annual Grand Grunion Gala Saturday at the aquarium in San Pedro. Tickets: $150. Call (310) 548-7562, Ext. 9034.

* Actress and cancer survivor Fran Drescher will be honored by the Sportsmen’s Club/Diamond Circle Chapter of the City of Hope at its 54th annual spring fashion luncheon on Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets: $70. Call (213) 202-5735, Ext. 26206.

* Happy Trails, the Assistance League of Pasadena’s benefit Saturday at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club, will feature Roy (Dusty) Rogers Jr. and the High Riders. Tickets: $150. Call (626) 449-2068.

* Rosemary Willson will be honored at the annual spring luncheon sponsored by the Founding Associates of the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation April 29 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Tickets: $100. Call (310) 445-4655.

* House Beautiful unveils its Celebrity Showhouse at 130 N. Bristol Ave., Brentwood, to benefit Children’s Action Network with a fund-raiser April 28. The house will be open to the public April 29 through May 27. Tickets to the opening: $300. General admission: $25 at the door. Call (310) 201-5033.

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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.