Backstreet Boy to sing for charity

Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys probably doesn’t have a lot in common with feral cats, except a love of the Huntington Beach-based nonprofit group Cat Cause. The group is trying to raise funds to create Orange County’s first no-kill cat shelter by staging a benefit featuring the teen heartthrob Saturday at the Shark Club in Costa Mesa.

A film producer and president of the film production company In The Light Entertainment, Cat Cause volunteer and event organizer Deanna Shapiro met Carter through her work in show business — Carter and the independent film producer are working on a project together.

Shapiro asked Carter to perform at the benefit as a favor, and the Backstreet Boy obliged.

Carter will be performing an acoustic set of some of his tunes from the new Backstreet Boys album, “Unbreakable,” as well as a song he wrote for his upcoming action film, “Fast Glass.”

Fundraising efforts for the shelter have produced an overwhelming response from companies and celebrities, Shapiro said. The event will feature raffle drawings, a silent auction for donated prizes and gift certificates from MAC Makeup, Ritz Carlton, Yard House and more. Celebrities such as Tim Allen and Cyndi Lauper also have donated autographed memorabilia such as compact discs and pictures.

Some of Orange County’s biggest musical acts will also perform, including hip-hop group NonP and pop-punk band the Dares.

“NonP is absolutely Orange County’s hottest hip-hop groups,” said event promoter Shawn Chaite. “They absolutely bring the house down whenever they perform.”

The highlight of the evening may be the VIP Reception, catered by Chipotle.

“There’s so many great things about this event its hard to pick one highlight,” Chaite said. “But Nick will be there signing autographs and talking to fans.”

Shapiro said many other area shelters have “low-kill” practices, but none have a strict policy against euthanasia.“Feral cats are the first killed at shelters because they can’t be adopted,” Shapiro said. “We want to spay and neuter them and give them a place where they can live out their lives.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: A benefit to open Orange County’s first no-kill cat shelter featuring Backstreet Boy Nick Carter.

WHEN: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: The Shark Club, 814 Baker St., Costa Mesa

COST: $25 general admission, $100 for the VIP Reception at 10 a.m.

INFO: For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.catcause.org or www.sharkclub.com.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].