A fund-raiser in disguise

Alex Coolman

Nick Dauderman knows scary.

Just mention the word “fund-raiser,” Dauderman said, and the result is

seriously frightening for young professionals who don’t always have the

kind of paychecks that would allow them to contribute to community and

charitable organizations.

That’s why Dauderman is chairing the second annual “Masquerade Ball for

the Arts” tonight at the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach.

The event is supposed to get young professionals interested in being

connected to the arts, which might eventually lead to their contributing

to arts institutions. But Dauderman doesn’t want to spook any of the

people who might attend, so he isn’t using the “F” word.

“It’s sort of a no-pressure thing to get people involved,” Dauderman said

of the costume ball, which benefits South Coast Repertory, the Orange

County Museum of Art, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Opera

Pacific. “They can’t really subscribe to these [arts] events, but we want

to get them in the door so they can become subscribers eventually.”It’s

an audience development initiative,” Dauderman said, trying another way

of describing the event without referring to money.

The event, which attracted about 500 revelers in its first year, will

feature various bands and DJs as well as several bars to facilitate

social lubrication. Mixed in with the crowd, Dauderman said, will be

costumed actors from the different arts organizations who will distribute

information about the worthy causes lurking behind the good times.

“They’ll be sort of educating people,” Dauderman said.

For the young professionals who attend, Dauderman thinks the event is a

pleasant introduction to the pleasures -- and responsibilities -- of

thoroughly grown-up diversion.

“This is a nice segue into more fun mature things,” he said.

FYI

The formal masquerade ball is Saturday 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 850 San

Clemente Dr., Newport Beach. Tickets are $75 per person. For information

about the event, call (714) 556-2122, ext. 546.