Choreographic Project to begin

Suzanne and Norman Metcalfe will open their Corona del Mar estate

tomorrow evening to host guests and patrons of Ballet Pacifica to

kick off the Pacific Choreographic Project 2002. Led by artistic

director Molly Lunch, the evening will welcome Janet Ray, president

of the Ballet Pacifica board of directors, along with fellow

dignitaries Barbara Kenady, David Carmichael, Christopher Miller,

Dennis Keith, Gayle Bullock, Pamala Shue and the lovely Catherine

Thyen. The buffet dinner reception will inaugurate the 12th annual

ballet project, which will showcase works-in-progress by selected

choreographers including Shawn Hounsell, Ryan Kelly, Davis Robertson

and Sarah Slipper.

It’s all about fashion at Neiman Marcus. The Fashion Island

purveyor of upscale threads will host a number of fashion forward

events to begin on Aug. 8 with a “St. John Sport Focus Day.” St.

John, led by Newport’s own Marie St. John Gray has become an

international design house serving well dressed women around the

world. The sport focus event will feature items from a more relaxed

St. John line, perfect for summer styling on the Newport Coast. On

Aug. 12, it’s Armani Day at Neiman Marcus, also with a focus on

designer sportswear for the summer season and beyond. Edward

Wilkerson, the man behind the design team known as Lafayette 148 will

make a special appearance Aug. 22, bringing his Fall 2002 trunk show

to Newport Beach, which will continue until Aug. 23. Finally, on Aug.

23 Neiman Marcus Fashion Island will host an Akris Fall 2002 trunk

show featuring cutting edge, sophisticated fashion for the new

season. For more information call the store at (949) 759-1900.

Plans are in full swing for the 2002 Race For The Cure benefiting

the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Orange County Division.

Christine Cox reports that more than 12,000 runners and walkers

participated in the 2001 race and that organizers hope to surpass

that number for the 11th annual event set to take place on Sept. 22.

A kick-off party was held recently at the Fashion Island offices of

Northern Trust in Newport Beach with both a luncheon and a dinner

presentation attended by both new and returning team captains. The

day long party was co-chaired by Joyce Fleming and Carla Longfellow.

Both ladies dedicated their energy to instructing the many volunteers

on the procedure for the upcoming event. Statistics state that one in

seven women in Orange County will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Cox reports that “75% of the net proceeds from the race will stay in

Orange County for breast cancer outreach, education, screening and

diagnostic treatment programs.” To become a part of the race please

call (714) 957-9165.