The Crowd: ‘Nutcracker’ celebration and the annual Robert Burns Scotch dinner
As January closes, here’s a final nod to the holiday events of 2015.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the American Ballet Theatre presented a spectacular staging of “The Nutcracker” for Orange County enthusiasts. So well received was the show that it is already booked for a return engagement this year.
Following the curtain opening on Dec. 10, three dedicated corporate sponsors threw an elegant late-night celebration for cast, crew, patrons and guests, including members of the American Ballet Theatre board who had flown in from New York. It was all made possible through the generous support of South Coast Plaza, Tiffany & Co. and Orange County BMW centers.
South Coast Plaza’s executive director of marketing, Debra Gunn Downing, joined American Ballet Theatre’s board Chairman-elect, Andy Bark, and Segerstrom Center President Terry Dwyer in welcoming the crowd at the gala, which was held in Jewel Court. No expense had been spared in creating a setting with a golden backdrop and towering holiday trees set on enormous pedestals supported by shimmering nutcrackers.
The crowd arriving post performance was greeted by an array of wait staff passing hors d’oeuvres of lobster mac and cheese to go with the Dew Drop cocktails, inspired by sugar plum fairies. Tiffany & Co., represented by group director Michael Botsko, had bakers create petit fours fashioned in the image of the iconic Tiffany blue box with white ribbon frosting.
Special guests included Segerstrom Center Vice President Judy Morr, ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky and South Coast Plaza executive Elizabeth Segerstrom.
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A Night For Scotch On The Orange Coast
In celebration of Robert Burns’ birthday and the recent “Hogmany,” the Balboa Bay Club presented its annual Robert Burns Scotch dinner featuring Macallan, which was represented by Kieran Eiliot.
The crowd arrived for sunset Scotch tasting in the Bay Club’s members’ grill on the bayfront. The club’s governor, John Wortmann, served as “haggis presenter.” To set the mood, piper Glen Thompson played his bagpipes as narrator Jesse Chisholm shared the Burns’ legacy with the dinner guests.
The culinary team led by chef David Fuñe began the meal presentation with a deconstructed Scotch egg with wild salmon and flavors of béarnaise. Then came the Haggis served over whipped Yukon potatoes. Entrée selections included crisp duck breast and lamb shank with all appropriate trimmings.
Enjoying the Scottish camaraderie were the club’s general manager, Malcolm Smith, a genuine Scotsman, donning his family kilt for the evening and sharing tales with Jim and Catherine Emmi, Art and Jane Rivera, Mark Doyle, Catherine and DeLayne Thyen, Kathy Dogali, Denice Day, Jo Clark and Ann and John Wortmann, to name only a few.
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A Fashion Show To Benefit Kids
Once again Childhelp will team up with South Coast Plaza to present a spring fashion luncheon. It will be held March 17 at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach.
This season, Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom will be honored with Childhelp’s Children’s Friend Award, joining Erik and Stacey Rees, who will receive the annual humanitarian award from the organization. On March 13, the ultra-generous Childhelp patrons Beverly and Robert Cohen will welcome event underwriters for a reception at their Bayshores estate.
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‘Go Red For Women’
The American Heart Assn. will present a daylong conference with lunch for the 2016 “Go Red For Women” outreach.
The Hotel Irvine will host the Feb. 5 event, which kicks off with a health expo at 9 a.m., followed by workshops, health screenings and educational sessions before the luncheon program at noon. The event will be chaired by Laurinda Newell, vice president of strategic business development for Cigna Healthcare.
“The annual Go Red For Women raises awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and encourages them to take preventative measures to reduce the risk,” said Tamara White, who is with the American Heart Assn.
For more information, visit www.heart.org/orangecounty.
B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
