Scene & Heard: Stargazing at Griffith Observatory

Cellphones barely get signals in parts of Los Angeles, yet it seemed appropriate that Edward James Olmos, formerly Adm. William Adama of “Battlestar Galactica,” spent the cocktail hour at the Griffith Observatory’s 75th birthday party sending text-messages into space. Olmos had been contacting a friend, Atlantis astronaut Garrett Reisman, and periodically checking his BlackBerry for a response.

More than 400 Friends of the Observatory came to the May 15 gala, highlighted by the premiere of “Light of the Valkyries.” Like Richard Wagner’s epic four- opera “Ring” cycle, which is about to begin at the L.A. Opera, the new planetarium show is based on ancient Nordic myths and is part of Ring Festival LA.

“The observatory is truly a gift,” said Olmos. “It is one of the most beautiful experiences you can give to children.”

John Cho, Sulu in the 2009 “Star Trek” film, said he comes often. “I feel a connection because of the movie but more so because of ‘Rebel Without a Cause.’ ” The 1955 James Dean classic was filmed on the site.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D- Burbank), L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge, observatory director Ed Krupp and Friends of the Observatory executive director Camille Lombardo joined in the festivities. And, in keeping with “Ring” traditions, two guests, David Gallup and Peter Adams, turned up in Viking helmets.

Proceeds were earmarked for field trips to the observatory for L.A. schoolchildren. And before dinner ended, Olmos got his answer from space. “Hello, Admiral,” Reisman’s message read. “Life is great up here.”

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Instead of staging the standard black-tie gala in a hotel ballroom, co-chairs Jenny Jones and Carolyn Powers presented “Music Center Walks on the Wild Side,” at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Santa Susana.

Massive boulders blanketed the landscape. Cactus plants dotted the hills. Dancers performed inside bubbles on a pond, and horses executed precision dressage movements against a backdrop of Argentine music.

For the May 16 event, the invitation read “Estancia Festive,” interpreted by the 300-plus guests as ranch-style fashions with a Spanish flavor, which meant there were gaucho hats, suede skirts, silk flowers, turquoise jewelry and several beaded jackets in evidence. Joan Hotchkis described her fashion-forward western boots as “ Annie Oakley goes to Neiman Marcus.”

The night raised funds for the Music Center’s education programs, and board chairman John Emerson called the center “the single largest provider of arts education in Southern California, reaching 250,000 children annually.” The Music Center includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The evening honored Carla and Fred Sands, Eva and Marc Stern, and Alyce and Warren “Spud” Williamson for their leadership and generosity in support of the arts.

Enjoying the evening were Carolyn and Bill Powers, Jenny Jones with Mark Winter, Joan and John Hotchkis, Andrea and John Van de Kamp, Joy and Jerome Fein, Susan and Michael Niven, Marna and Rockwell Schnabel, Nancy Harahan and Joyce Rey.

ellen.olivier@society-news.com