Social Circuits

Senior Outreach

Highlighted with patriotic musical tributes, the annual Winter Blossom Ball benefit for the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center in Santa Ana netted about $45,000 for its job placement, cancer prevention and mental health programs.

More than 400 guests attended the black-tie gala at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim that also featured a presentation of debutantes and performances by tenor Christopher Campbell and the Beverly Hills Cotillion.

Guests dined on lobster bisque, prime rib and lemon tarts at tables topped with bouquets of white roses.

As the 19 debutantes entered the ballroom, their escorts joined with guests to sing “God Bless America.” Campbell’s performance of “America the Beautiful” capped the evening.

“We work to provide Asian Americans with the resources they need as they age,” said Ruth Ding, co-chairwoman of the Dec. 29 gala with Ann Wu.

“Many are reluctant to ask for help. And with language difficulty--many are immigrants--it is even more challenging for them to get what they need.”

--Ann Conway

Coming Up:

* Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera hosts a special reception and performance of “A Night of Zarzuela & Operetta” with Placido Domingo and Friends on Tuesday at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Tickets: $20-$120. Call (213) 972-7498.

* The opening-night benefit preview and reception for Photo LA 2002, the 11th Los Angeles photographic exposition at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, will be Jan. 17.

Avid photo collector Ben Stiller is hosting the event, which benefits the Photographic Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Tickets (available at the door): $35. Call (323) 932-5846.

* The International Foundation for Education and Performing Arts will honor Henry Z. Steinway with the Spirit of Life Award at its fourth annual benefit “Music for Kids USA,” at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Jan. 19. Tickets start at $275. Call (213) 384-3757.

* The “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Los Angeles and Pasadena will honor “Boston Public” and Barry Edwards at its fourth annual gospel brunch Jan. 20 at the Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne Blvd. Tickets: $150; $50 for children. Call (323) 934-4441.

* A Celebration of Hope, the Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Human Relations Award Dinner sponsored by the American Jewish Committee, will honor Scott Sassa, president of NBC West Coast, on Jan. 31 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets: $1,000. Call (310) 282-8080, Ext. 306.

* Jason Alexander, Maureen McGovern, Andrea Marcovicci, Liz Calloway and John Rubenstein are among the stars set to appear in “Extraordinary!,” a tribute to composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz to benefit the Musical Theatre Guild, on Feb. 4 at the Pasadena Playhouse. Tickets: $50 to $250. Call (818) 848-6844.

* “Lorca’s Women,” a compilation of four of Federico Garcia Lorca’s most famous plays, will open the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts’ 2002 season Feb. 14 and continue through March 31 at the foundation’s theater, 421 N. Ave. 19, Los Angeles.

Opening-night tickets, which include a post-performance reception with the cast, are $30. Call (323) 225-4044.

* On Feb. 14, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire will celebrate their new partnership at the Heart of the Community Luncheon honoring Jay Fondevila, Rob Fukuzaki, Janine Haydel and Diane Medina.

The event will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets: $60. Call (323) 933-5749, Ext. 239.

* Hillsides’ annual black-tie gala and auction, “Lights, Camera, Action: A Hillsides Production” is set for Feb. 23 at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles.

Cathy Arkley and Jennifer Cargill are chairing the event to benefit a residential treatment center for abused and neglected children.

Tickets: $185. Call (323) 255-9005.

*

Information for Social Circuits can be directed to Patt Diroll in Los Angeles or Ann Conway in Orange County. Diroll is at pattdiroll@earthlink.net; Conway is at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.