B.W. COOKCHOC follies VIII, “Blast Through the...

B.W. COOK

CHOC follies VIII, “Blast Through the Past, a Musical Time Travel

Trip,” will hold open auditions for local talent on Jan. 10 and 25 at

the Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach.

The indefatigable Gloria Zigfield Zigner returns for an incredible

eighth season, raising big dollars for Children’s Hospital of Orange

County. The big show will open March 26 at the Grove of Anaheim.

This year the massive production will be chaired by Newport’s

Leslie Cancellieri, Sandra Segerstrom Daniels and Dale Skiles. Lois

Augustine returns as Zigner’s right-hand gal, coordinating the effort

for CHOC. The follies have netted more than $1.7 million over the

past seven years, and organizers hope to cross the $2-million mark

this season. Call Augustine for audition schedules or other

information at (714) 532-8690.

The Angelitos de Oro, a small group of dedicated women serving Big

Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County, report that $100,000 was

raised at this year’s holiday shopping card event in conjunction with

South Coast Plaza. Angelitos event co-chair Laraine Eggleston was

thrilled to report that the group exceeded their goal, and they are

already at work on this year’s holiday project.

The SOS A-Team sponsored a series of successful “Sharing Chefs

Dinners” throughout the winter social season in Newport. The dinner

series, celebrating seven years of attracting attention and financial

support for Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves, is the brainchild of

A-Team founder Kathy Thompson of Corona del Mar. Thompson, a former

Hollywood B-movie actress, started the group in 1993 to help fund

much-needed SOS programs for the homeless and working poor.

Participants this season enjoyed fabulous fare at the Melting Pot,

Flemmings and Villa Nova.

Finally, a bit of self promotion for a cause. On Jan. 14, I will

join Jerry Mandel, president of the Orange County Performing Arts

Center and the Gary Matsurra quartet to launch “Cabaret For A Cause”

at Duke’s Place in the Balboa Bay Club Hotel. The Jan. 14 cabaret

performance benefits the 1221 Club College Scholarship Fund, which

awards deserving Newport-Mesa students with funds for university

study. The cover charge is $10 and the full amount goes to the 1221

Fund. The evening is open to the public, the show starts at 9 p.m.

and reservations are a must. Call (949) 630-4380 to reserve your

spot.

Mandel and I have planned a series of concerts through June

benefiting many worthy local causes including the OCPAC, Hoag

Hospital, the UCI Brain Imaging Center, the Cure Parkinson’s Project,

the OC Alzheimer’s Assn. and Chapman University’s new school of film

and television in conjunction with the local Fashionables support

arm.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.