The Crowd: SCR prepared to open fall social season
In a way it is a rite of passage in Newport-Mesa, a harbinger of the fall social season’s arrival. South Coast Repertory’s annual gala is kind of like the temperature of the January stock market. If the gala sizzles, so goes the entire season of social events.
Fortunately, year after year, the gala not only sizzles, it smashes previous records of fundraising and attendance. This year the event is being billed as Encore, and it will be chaired by SCR devotee Socorro Vasquez with support from husband Ernesto and a committee of who’s who of O.C. philanthropists.
Last week in Newport Beach, Socorro and pals, including Bette Aitken, Julia Argyros, Barbara Cline, Sophie Cripe, Tracy Kirwan, Monica Guillena, Joan Fimiano and Olivia Johnson, joined with gracious hosts Linda and Tod White welcoming the SCR crowd at the White’s bayfront residence for sunset cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres in anticipation of the big gala event set for Sept. 12 at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel, Costa Mesa.
The Whites share an illustrious history with SCR. They are members of SCR’s Playwright Circle and for eight years have served as honorary producers of the Pacific Playwright Festival.
The crowd, including Pat and Brian Durkin, Yvonne and Damien Jordan, Tammy and Sam Tang, Elaine Weinberg and philanthropic community activists Bette and Wylie Aitken, enjoyed the Whites’ hospitality sauntering through their art-filled residence on the water, sampling treats catered by Robert Q. Redmond and listening to the sunset vibes from entertainer Mike O’Bryan.
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It’s All Happening At The Zoo
The 23rd annual Zoofari, billed as Rockin’ Round The Zoo, unfolds Saturday evening at the Santa Ana Zoo. The sold-out evening under the stars in Prentice Park expects a crowd of some 400 guests in black tie accented by animal prints.
Parties by Panache will cater the dinner al fresco. Upon arrival, guests will sample the hosted cocktail of the night “Love Potion #9” thanks to Tito’s Handmade Vanilla Vodka, a dash of root beer and vanilla ice cream. The monkeys are sure to go wild over this concoction. Plus party planners are taking the crowd back to the 1950s by bringing Elvis back to life.
Honorees this season include zoo board members Patti Mickey, Patty McClendon and Steve McGuigan. Cathi Decker, executive director of the Friends of Santa Ana Zoo will host the affair, joining David Exline, president of the FOSAZ board of directors.
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On A Mission For The Mission
Wylie and Bette Aitken will be supporting SCR Sept. 12 at Encore, and then the following week on Sept. 18 the couple will be honored at the 2015 Romance of the Mission held on the grounds of the historic San Juan Capistrano landmark.
This year’s musical theme is Toast to Sinatra, a tribute to the late entertainer on what would have been his 100th birthday year.
The show, always a major O.C. event, unfolds in the ruins of the Great Stone Church. Planners are calling it That’s Life after the iconic Sinatra recording.
Proceeds from the evening will be earmarked toward the third and final phase of the Sala Preservation Project renewing the Mission’s 18th century building along with modern build-outs. The event will also note the upcoming canonization of the Mission’s founder Junipero Serra.
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Assistance League Honors Tradition
Fifteen graduating seniors, members of the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa Assisteens Auxiliary, took their bows earlier this summer at the 24th annual Medallion Recognition Ball.
The Island Hotel, Newport Beach welcomed the young ladies, their escorts and proud families to mark and impressive end to years of volunteer service in the community supervised by mothers, grandmothers and Assistance League docents.
The 2015 debutants were: Mason Riley Bendetti, Margaret Kathryn Brown, Mclain Eliszabeth Campbell, Brenna Elizabeth Currey, Paige Renee FauntLeRoy, Gabriella Pesquera Glover, Madison Anne Goon, Samantha Elsa Jones, Amy Elizabeth Martino, Emily Elizabeth Meckler, Kelly Frances Owen, Taylor Christine Pedicini, Bridget Katherine Sweeney, Brooke Ashley Taylor and Corinne Bennett Taylor.
Celebrating 75 years in Newport-Mesa, the Assistance League supports four programs: Cheri Harris Dental Center, Community Outreach Program, Kids on the Block and Operation School Bell.
THE CROWD runs Fridays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
