A musical fundraiser held for Hutchins Consort
The century-old Balboa Pavilion ballroom came to life the evening of March 13 as some 100 guests converged for a sunset spring dinner and performance by Hutchins Consort. It was the annual fundraising event for the musical ensemble consisting of acoustically matched strings, led by founder and artistic director Joe McNalley.
An impressive tally nearing $50,000 was raised from dinner and auction proceeds.
McNalley and his fellow musicians chose a theme of big band memories, including the music of Stan Kenton, who often performed at the pavilion in the heyday of the big band days with other notables like Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie and Phil Harris.
Guests arrived around four in the afternoon for cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres, enjoying views overlooking the harbor. Sharon Fair, a Hutchins Consort committee member, produced a lively silent auction featuring more than 100 items for the crowd to peruse. Fair was joined by honorary chairs Howard and Roberta Ahmanson, and overall event chair Barbara Woods, Hutchins Consort board president, helped to make the evening a success.
The consort kicked off at 6 p.m. taking the audience on a musical ride with outstanding performances by McNalley, Steve Huber, Bethany Grace, Christopher Woods, A.J. Fanning, Peter Jacobson, Alex Greenbaum, Tim McNalley and Lynn Willard.
Dinner was served at tables dressed in formal white starched cloths and centered by whimsical Balboa beach-themed arrangements. Harborside staff served a first-course salad, dressed Italian-style, followed by a duet of cabernet demi glazed top sirloin and mahi mahi beurre blanc.
Supporting the inner were Jan Landstrom, Sharon McNalley, Charlene Prager, Jim and Catherine Emmi, Sabra Bordas, Fritz and Elaine Westerhout, Sharon Morrison and Adrienne and R.J. Brandes. Also on hand to recognize the talented consort musicians were Dr. Carolyn Nelson Hardy, Margaret Gates, Joan Petty, Suzy Casey, William Ameus, Douglas Burch, Robert Lucas and Louisa Litwack.
As dessert was served some VIP guests, including David and Darrellyn Melilli, Philharmonic Society of Orange County director John Mangum, former Irvine Barclay Theatre executive director Doug Rankin, Leila Palmer, Dr. John and Fran Applegate, and Dr. Bob and Kim Egan, all applauded the musical excellence of the consort joining together for a very special evening to support a unique cultural purpose in the O.C.
To learn more about Hutchins Consort, please visit www.hutchinsconsort.org.
*
Children and families first
A picture-perfect spring Friday afternoon in Newport welcomed the ladies and gents supporting the Adoption Guild of Southern Orange County for the 55th annual patroness luncheon and fashion show. The Balboa Bay Resort ballroom sparkled March 4 as event chairs Pam Selber, Pam Fossler and Jeannie Hidey greeted the arriving crush, pretty in spring pastels, who were coming to lend support for the work of Holy Family Services in regard to child adoption and foster care services in the community.
Major support for the Adoption Guild, widely known in Newport-Mesa for its long-running summer Roy Emerson Tennis Tournament, came from local social standouts Britt Meyer, Liz Maxson, Julie Ahlert, Chris Garber, Christine Johnson, Joyce Macardian, Cathy O’Neal, Susan Price, Katie Richardson, Patrice Werschmidt and Joyce White.
The crowd enjoyed a delicious luncheon salad created by Balboa Bay Resort Executive Chef Rachel Haggstrom as a cutting-edge spring fashion show by the very upscale and trendy Mi Place of Newport and Laguna Niguel hit the runway catwalk bisecting the ballroom.
Also spotted in the crowd were top-producing Corona del Mar real estate agent Adrienne Brandes, Janie Merkle, Alicia Parker, Julie Sherwin, Sara Booty, Kelly Knight, Marily Wilson, Harriet Selna, Christine Fabiani, Donna Davison, and Patricia Houston, to name only a few.
Go to www.adoptionguild.org to learn more.
*
Making A Difference
The Orange County Chapter of Childhelp held its 30th annual For the Love of a Child spring luncheon and fashion show at Newport’s Island Hotel March 17.
South Coast Plaza produced an amazing fashion show, worthy of a New York runway, featuring the designs of Anne Fontaine, Bally, DKNY, M Missoni, Maje, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sandro, St. John, Stuart Weitzman and Ted Baker, London, and David Yurman.
Chairing the event were dedicated longtime Childhelp docents Katherine Meredith, Pam Pharris and Gina Van Ocker. The trio was supported by a committee, including Diana Miner, Dale San Filippo, Debra Violette, Nancy Whitlock, Mary Allyn Dexter and Kristen James, among others.
The lively crowd included honorary chair Patti Edwards among local celebs and major donors Olivia Abel, Julia Argyros, Jacquie Casey, Donna Clark, JoAnn Fanticola, Cate Heck, Rebecca McLarand, Janet Ronnenberg, Joan Sellers, Zee Allred, Cleo Bluth, Catherine Emmi and Marie Gray. Also supporting the cause were Priscilla Marconi, Deborah Nesbitt, Eve Ruffato, Valarie Wahler, Nancy Youngman and Adrienne Brandes.
The mega-generous Beverly and Robert Cohen hosted the annual pre-event donor reception at their Bayshores estate the day prior to the fashion luncheon.
The 2016 honored guests were Stacy and Erik Rees, receiving the Children’s Friend Award, and Jennifer and Anton Segerstrom honored with the Childhelp Inspirational Award.
---
THE CROWD runs Fridays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
