"The Dancer's Life"

At the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Segerstrom Hall, Chita Rivera, the two-time Tony Award winner was sensational in The Dancer's Life, the dazzling musical that celebrates her astonishing career.

The Broadway legend performed knock-out numbers from some of the biggest hits including West Side Story, Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.Rivera says her most treasured production is her daughter Lisa Mordente (singer, dancer, choreographer) who is happy to be back on stage with her mother Chita. Seen in the audience were Pat and Gene Hancock, Maria and Ray Francis, Ollie Hill and Bob Dannenbrink, and Esther Yank.

Guilds of OCPAC's Annual Fashion Show

Some 680 guests came together at the Guilds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center 's 12th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon.Linda Thauer, President of the Guilds of the OCPAC, welcomed everyone and introduced the very dedicated and energetic co-chairs, Patty Lance and Deloris St. John.The hard-working fashion show committee included Barbara Marceau, Joanne Gates, Ilana Richmond, Bev Sandelman, Caroline Gonzalez, Kathy Fleming, Joy Owens, Marilyn McCorkle, and Robin Fields.

Center President, Terrence W. Dwyer thanked the crowd, event chairs and remarked he was extremely pleased that Elizabeth Segerstrom was being honored for her dedication to the Center and the great accomplishments she helped to achieve as Celebrations 2006 Chairman. Elizabeth joined him on stage and very graciously said how proud she was to be a part of the Orange County family who cares so much about the arts.

Alfredo Molina, proprietor of Black Starr & Frost and major donor and underwriter, presented Elizabeth with an exquisite pair of diamond and crystal drop earrings. Barbara Myers from the Con Gusto Chapter was delighted to win the Bubbles & Baubles champagne drawing of a Black Starr & Frost$13,000 one-carat diamond.

Enjoying the exceptional array of silent auction items displayed during the champagne reception were Twyla Martin, Mindy Stearns, Milena Kitic Panic (Opera singer who recently performed as "Carmen"), Center Stars President Judy Brady, Nora Jorgensen Johnson, Cathy Merriman,Mary Shakleton, Patricia Marshall, Betty Belden-Palmer, Vesta Curry, Jennifer Condas, Pam Lowry, Paula Macko, and Danni Good.

Amongst the crowd of underwriting sponsors and guests were Mary and Richard Cramer, Ruth Eisen, Mary Parente, Nancy Probizanski, Janis Matilla, Charlene Pasko, Michelle Burke, Shirley Matilla, and Catherine Haralanopus. The fashion and luncheon netted $250,000 for the Center's education and community outreach programs that will benefit the 500,000 children, families, and educators throughout Orange County.

Sound of Music Honors Underwriters

As a prelude to their fund raiser, the "Fire and Water Masquerade," the Sound of Music members honored and recognized their gala underwriters and sponsors with an elegant dinner held at the newly refurbished Pacific Club. The fabulous evening was executed by the very dedicated and generous underwriting chairs: Sally Crockett, Eve Kornyei, Kathie Porter, and Harriet Sandhu. The stunningly gorgeous table presentations were created by Marsha Orlin and flowers by Alisa Rengert.Fire-red tabletops with an iridescent overlay, red satin napkins, and centerpieces of beautiful large fish bowls with a multi-colored red rose arrangement floating in water and surrounded by floating candles created a surreal magical effect.

Everyone loved the dynamic hot sizzling Otero Dancers from Argentina. Among the crowd of underwriters and guests wereSOM PresidentDenise Tsujioka,Donna and Ronald Phelps, Shawn and Scott Cunningham, Karen and Jack Swickard, Grace and Patrick Thelen, and Stacy and Paul Von Berg.

Saks Presents Gown Preview for "Pink Tie Ball"

Saks Fifth Avenue at South Coast Plaza hosted a champagne reception with informal modeling of an outstanding preview of an exquisite collection of evening gowns. Present to greet everyone were Gretchen Pace, general manager of Saks andKim Shuette, designer salon manager.

An equisitely elegant gown selection of every conceivable style and color in the most luscious tulles, silks, and brocades were available. The designers of the gowns included Robert Danes (whose gowns were definitely the hit of the afternoon), Carlos Miele, Monique L'huillier, Wayne Clark, Liancarlo, Badgley Mischka, Michon Schur, Catherine Regehr, and Shawn Ray Fons.

Holy Matrimony

It was a whirlwind of a wedding weekend celebration for Heathyr and Scott Easton.The festivities began with a kickoff "Welcome Fiesta" hosted by Scott's parents (John and Suzy Easton and Cher and Grad Girardi) at the Norman Clubhouse at PGA West in Palm Desert on Friday with Mariachis, margaritas, family, and guests. On Saturday, the wedding ceremony was held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio and what a glorious setting it was for the union of two beautiful and exceptional people. Across the expansive green polo field, Heathyr arrived mounted on a horse looking gorgeous in her white wedding gown. She was accompanied by her father, Dr. Bill Manclark, all decked out in a Scottish kilt and also on a horse as a Scottish Bagpiper led the procession. It was truly a grand sight to behold!

It was a very meaningful and beautiful ceremony overlooking the Medjhool Lake and officiated by Pastor Chuck Smith. Afterwards, the 200 plus invitees all gathered for the cocktail reception with dinner and dancing later. On Sunday, the weekend was completed with a wonderful luncheon hosted by Bill and Darby Manclarkat their beautiful home in Palm Springs.For their honeymoon, the newlyweds will be bare-boating in the Virgin Islands.

Trips

Pat and Alex Sytnyk recently returned from a cruise on the Diamond Princess, which sails from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas where their son Alexander Sytnyk, master illusionist extraordinaire, entertained guests on the ship with his amazing magic acts. He has performed in Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, The Magic Castle in Los Angeles, and many other venues. Alexander has been performing professionally since he was a teenager. A highlight of the trip for Pat was not only seeing her son perform, but her first-time parasailing along the Mexican shore on the beautiful blue waters of the Pacific. She loved it so much that she 's ready to go again!

OCHSA Annual Gala

A record-breaking $709,000 was raised at the Orange County High School of the Arts annual Gala, "Masterpiece in the Making." Nearly 500 supporters of the arts were in attendance at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. A welcome reception and silent auction kicked off the event which was chaired by Kate Peters and Doug Simao. While enjoying an elegant dinner and a stunning performance by OCHSA students, guests participated in a live auction. Michael Harrah of Caribou Industries and a long-time OCHSA supporter and underwriter donated a seven-day cruise on The World, the world 's only privately owned cruise ship.

Included amongst the many sponsors and underwriters supporting OCHSA were John and Sandy Daniels, Paul and Daranne Folino, Robert and Carole Follman, Henry and Susan Samueli, Lewis and Margaret Webb, Nona and Gerald Sandberg, John and Cindy Gates, and John and Elizabeth Stahr.

"A Laff-ternoon with Larry Miller"

The Assistance League of Newport Mesa hosted their annual spring fund raiser at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa with a delightful presentation of "A Laff-ternoon with Larry Miller." Actor, writer, and comedian, Larry Miller entertained and kept the audience in stitches with his humor and clever commentary. He recently published his first book,Spoiled Rotten America: Outrages of Everyday Life, and was on hand to speak with attendees and sign copies of his book.

EmceeDale Johnstonwelcomed the 400 guests and introduced the very gracious Bev Eppey, President of the Assitance League of Newport Mesa who acknowledged and introduced the National League President, Judy Mullin. The lovelyCarol Matthewschaired the event and she graciously thanked her committee and especially her husband James.The committee included Mary Lynn Bergman-Rallis,DorisHope,Carol Boice,Sylvia Humbert,Rae Bolton,Joanne Johnston,Charyl Butterworth,Marie-France Lefebvre, Jo Corbett,Tracey Manning,Johanna Roe,Eileen Shitanishi, Dottie Fribourg,Jocelyn Gilbert, andKaren Treaccar.

"The Piano Teacher"

South Coast Repertory celebrated its 100th world premier production with The Piano Teacher by Los Angeles based playwright Julia Cho. SCR Artistic Director Martin Benson said during his curtain speech, "One of our long-held goals is to produce the works of gifted playwrights. We have been fortunate to collaborate with some wonderful writers over the years and look forward to continuing our work with them to add to the literature of the American theater. " Larry Higby welcomed the First Nighters and acknowledged Pamela and Curtis Reis who were the Honorary Producers.

A wonderful reception at Scotts Seafood followed where First Nighters, Honorary Producers, the playwright, director Kate Whoriskey, and other artists gathered to celebrate and partake of an exceptional buffet and cocktails. Among the play-goers were Linda and David Roberson, Linda and Tod White, Phoebe and Robert Lambeth, Elena Ferruzzo, Mark Bauer, and Jay Vecchione.