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Music, and high spirits filled the Beverly Wilshire Hotel ballroom at Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra‘s (LACO) 2022 Gala Celebration, “Simple Gifts.” The orchestra’s first in-person black-tie gala in nearly three years drew nearly 300 LACO supporters and raised $675,000 to benefit the orchestra.
The crowd was almost giddy to be back in a party mood to honor nine-time Oscar-nominated film composer James Newton Howard (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “The Hunger Games” franchise, “Nightcrawler,” “Maleficent” and “The Bourne Legacy”) and pay tribute to the musicians of LACO. Platinum recording artist, Josh Groban, added a dash of extra panache to the festivities, which included the requisite auction.
LACO Artistic Director Jaime Martín conducted the orchestra in Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring as well as two works from film scores by Howard, “The Wedding” from Wyatt Earp and “A Man & His Beasts Redux,” a suite from the Fantastic Beasts.
In his remarks following the performance, Howard said, “The music you played tonight was written for 85 musicians and singers. There were 13 of you on stage and it sounded absolutely incredible. You are amazing. I am so grateful that I can be here with all of you tonight. If ever there was a time to make and listen to beautiful music, it is now.”
Carol Henry of Pasadena, along with Jennifer Diener, and Peggy Falcon, co-chaired the gala committee, which included Clare Baren, Deborah Cussen, Anne Grausam, Diane Henderson, Molly Kirk, Terri Kohl, Leslie Lassiter, Shaheen Nanji, Gene Shutler, Joyce Sommer, Anne-Marie Spataru, Mist Thorkelsdottir and Lauren Wing. Local LACO supporters in attendance were Terri and Jerry Kohl, LACO Concertmaster Margaret Batjer, and LACO Board members Ruth Eliel, Thomas Kontchou, Dana Newman, Jordan Teti and Eugene Ohr.
ANGELS
“Evening in Capri,” the Cancer Support Community Pasadena’s (CSCP) 32nd Annual Angel Gala, honoring Dana and Mike Naples and UBS, for their decade of devotion, broke previous fund-raising records. The Italian -style evening, held last month at Glendale’s Brandview Ballroom, drew 260 guests and raised $390,000 to support CSCP’s free programs for families facing cancer. The evening featured moving testimonials from participants who have benefited from CSCP’s services, as well as a heartfelt tribute to former Angel Awardee, the late Liz Rusnak Arizmendi, offered by Board President Kal Balian Antoun.
Since its first Angel Gala, CSCP has raised over $4 million from this annual event to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge and resources for support.
ABILITY FIRST
Villa Esperanza Services celebrated “It Takes a Blue & White,” its 60th annual Blue & White Gala, at the Langham Huntington Hotel on April 30. The evening, attended by 175 guests, raised $300,000 to fund Villa’s programs for children, adults and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Former Board Member and Capital Campaign Chair Lisa Sloan presented Patty Zuber with the Guardian Angel Award for her ongoing commitment to Villa. ”Patty is a person of action and doesn’t hesitate to step into any role needed,” said Sloan “She rolls up her sleeves and always leads with grace and dignity. She has been the perfect go-to resource when an issue arises.” In accepting the award, Patty was quick to pay tribute to everyone in the room “because it takes us, a village, or in this case, a Villa.’”
Established in 1961, Villa Esperanza offers nine programs including a school for children up to the age of 22.; a Speech and Language Center and Occupational Therapy Clinic providing employment; day programs for adults; and adult residences in Pasadena.
COMING UP
TUESDAY (5/24): American Women for International Understanding hosts its 15th Annual Women of Courage Celebration. The Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles.
WEDNESDAY (5/25): Together in Song: A Gathering of Choral Music, presented by Pasadena Chorale, Los Angeles Childrens Chorus and the Yale Glee Club, to benefit Urban Voices Project. First United Methodist Church in Pasadena. 7:30 p.m.
JUNE 1: Center Theatre Group opens the musical, “Come from Away.” Performances continue through June 12. The Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.
JUNE 3: Hollywood Bowl launches its 100th season with Gwen Stefani, LA Philharmonic Orchestra led by Gustav Dudamel, with special guests Robert Bolle, Branford Marsalis, UCLA Bruin and USC Trojan Marching Bands, the Let it Happen Dancers and the Bowl’s spectacular fireworks display.
JUNE 5: The Pasadena Playhouse opens Anton Chekhov’s classic play, “Uncle Vanya.” Performances continue through June 26.
JUNE 5: Ability First presents its annual Food and Wine Festival at the historic Laurabelle A. Robinson estate in Pasadena.
JUNE 8: The Luminaires of the Doheny Eye Institute host their annual benefit luncheon, “Back in the High Life,” at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles.
JUNE 24: Monrovia Unified School District Taylor Performing Arts Center presents “Let’s Hear it for the Artists!” Monrovia Historical Museum, Monrovia.
JULY 1: Center Theatre Group opens the musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.” Performances continue through July 31. The Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.
AUG. 28: A Noise Within launches its season with Peter Hall’s musical adaptation of George Orwell’s, satire, “Animal Farm.” Performances continue through Oct 2.
SEPT. 17: L.A. Opera opens its 37th season at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with Donizetti’s “Lucia de Lammermoor,” conducted by Lina Gonzalez-Granados in her debut as Resident Conductor. Performances continue through Oct. 9.
OCT. 15: The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena hosts its annual “Black Tie & Burgers” Gala, celebrating its 85th anniversary. A private home in Pasadena.
OCT. 16: A Noise Within continues its fall season with August Wilson’s “Radio Golf.” Performances continue through Nov. 13. A Noise Within Theatre, Pasadena.
OCT. 22: LA Opera presents the West Coast premiere of “Omar” by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels. Performances continue at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through Nov. 13.
NOV. 19: Soprano Angel Blue makes her LA Opera debut in Puccini’s “Tosca,” led by Ukrainian Conductor Oksana Lyniv. Performances continue through Dec. 10.”
