A Distinguished Leader Award awaited Charles Zhang, Zion Enterprises Principal Founder, and a Rising Leader Award for Jesse D. Bagley, Interior Office Solutions Founder/President, at Segerstrom Center’s Arts & Business Leadership Awards Dinner, followed by the “The Bodyguard” at Segerstrom Hall and post-party at Water Grill. Photography Doug Gifford
Working Wardrobes annual gala, themed “Red, White, Blue and You!” drew 350 guests to The Resort at Pelican Hill to honor the military and its VetNet program, a safety net for veterans. VetNet founder Harry Humphries was honored, with the nonprofit netting approximately $350,000 for the program.
With Louis Vuitton as Presenter of Orange County Museum of Art’s “Art of Dining” for the fourth year running, it was again a creative, artistic affair for 250 guests. The 30th anniversary gourmet dining/honored artist benefit saluted Beijing-based artist Sun Xun and netted $350,000 for the museum. Photography Ryan Miller
As a life-long lover of the arts, this issue is a particular favorite of mine. With feature stories on the Irvine Barclay Theatre and Arts Orange County (ArtsOC), you will enjoy hearing about what is happening with these two successful nonprofits.
The Big Canyon Spyglass Hill Philharmonic Committee held its annual benefit, “Gotta Have Heart,” at the Island Hotel, with 67 guests enjoying the festive dinner dance. The Retros band entertained as guests dined and bid on auction items, which helped garner $22,000 for the Philharmonic’s children’s programs. Photography Peggy O’Donnell
Simone Biles, once a foster youth herself, was the featured speaker at Orangewood Foundation’s 44 Women for Orangewood’s 13th annual Scholarship Luncheon at the Disneyland Hotel, where 400 guests enjoyed the question and answer session with her mother Nellie led by NBC4’s Vikki Vargas. Photography Ann Chatillon, Robert Rooks
The 11th Annual Komen Orange County Pink Tie Ball at the Paséa Hotel in Huntington Beach was a sell-out and raised $635,000 towards the next generation of cancer research and local initiatives towards the goal of reducing the number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026.
Art & Creativity for Healing’s annual Palette of Colors benefit took more than 300 guests to the Lyon Art Museum Hangar to help net $80,000 to support the nonprofit’s emotional healing programs utilizing art and creative expression for individuals living in pain, grief, fear and stress. Photography Rick Chatillon
The anticipation of the opening of Africa’s first contemporary art museum, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, is creating a buzz that is swarming the continent. The Victorian and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Co., the developer who owns the site, has assembled the venerable team of Thomas Heatherwick and Liz Biden to helm one of the most exciting openings Africa has seen in years. Heatherwick is one of Britain’s most progressive designers, most revered for designing the Shanghai EXPO UK Pavilion. As the founder of the Royal Portfolio Collection, Liz Biden is South Africa’s premiere hotelier. Together they have created not only Africa’s first dedicated contemporary art museum, but also the luxurious Silo Hotel, which is connected to Zeitz MOCAA.
music Sept 8, 2017 Jake Shimabukuro Oct 28, 2017 Jack Jones
Rick Stein felt he was coming full circle when he accepted the job as President & CEO of Arts Orange County (ArtsOC) in 2008. After acquiring his bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia University in 1976 and his master’s in English from Syracuse University in 1978, he had signed on as executive director of the Oswego County Council on Arts in Fulton, New York.
Women of Chapman presented $425,000 to Chapman University at Balboa Bay Resort to honor support of Musco Center for the Arts, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the Center for Science and Engineering. The group’s Student Filmmaker Endowment presented $50,000 to deserving Dodge College students. Photography Tony Lattimore
The Scott Brothers, aka Jonathan and Drew Scott, are hosts of three top-rated HGTV series, including the Emmy-winning Property Brothers. The twin brothers–Jonathan a renowned designer and licensed contractor, and Drew, a seasoned agent and real estate expert–have recorded two original tracks and written a book, and for their show, titled “The Scott Brothers House Party,” at SCFTA’s Segerstrom Hall, they treated the crowd to a variety of their talents. They sang while Drew played guitar and Jonathan did magic tricks. They shared hilarious sibling rivalry stories, never before seen video, and encouraged audience participation. They thanked their parents for their wonderful upbringing on a ranch (they were in the audience) and believe in giving back, as they give their time to Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity and World Vision. Both men are taken–sorry, gals! SCFTA.org
Human trafficking. Modern day slavery. The cyber-exploitation of women and children. However it is labeled, it cannot begin to describe the immense suffering borne by victims of 21st century enslavement. According to the Global Center for Women and Justice (GCFWJ), housed at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University, some 45.8 million victims, globally, are trafficked. And, perpetrators and victims of these criminal networks are closer to “home” than commonly assumed.
Ten years after retiring as President/CEO of the Orange County Performing Arts Center (since renamed Segerstrom Center for the Arts), Jerry Mandel got a call in October, 2015, about taking on the job of interim president of the Irvine Barclay Theatre while the board had time to fill the position. Doug Rankin, founding president of the Barclay had retired after nearly 30 years of service, and someone was needed to replace him.
Cryptocurrency is defined as “a digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.”
“Hey honey! How many Bitcoins did we spend on groceries?” These words can already be heard among couples that own Bitcoin, a form of cryptocurrency created in 2009 by pseudonymous developer Satoshi Nakamoto. Since its inception in 2009 the list of cryptocurrencies has proliferated to more than 900 today. The list is led by Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Bitcoin is considered by many to be the most successful and game-changing cryptocurrency ever created. Nevertheless, many other currencies being born today may represent a more aggressive investment opportunity.
It’s been way too long since I set foot on the peaceful island of Santa Catalina.
After Labor Day weekend, places such as Catalina become a perfect escape for grown-ups. There is so much to do there my head is spinning with ideas.