‘Art for AIDS IV’ a triumph

SUZIE HARRISON

The St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach was aglow Saturday night with

celebrities shining at “Art for AIDS IV: An Evening with Cybill

Shepherd,” a gala benefit for AIDS Services Foundation Orange County

and Laguna Art Museum.

Each event is different.

“This year was an intimate, smaller scale event,” Al Roberts,

event chair and president and founder of AIDS Services Foundation,

said. “It’s important to note after three really large events, with

stars like Elizabeth Taylor and last year’s tribute concert by Tom

Petty.”

A highlight for me was escorting Dr. Arnold Klein, “Art for AIDS”

founder and amFAR governing director, to his table to talk to Carrie

Fisher.

Klein has been responsible for bringing his celebrity friends to

the event every year -- who share his passion to fight against the

AIDS pandemic.

“Laguna Beach was the hardest hit per capita in the country

[initially],” Klein said. “We need to deal with AIDS -- it still

exists and it’s important for people to be involved. So many people

are used to talking, not giving. It’s about being generous with your

time.”

Klein said it’s important to never give up no matter what the

challenge is.

“The most important thing is what you’re going to do tomorrow, not

what you did yesterday,” Klein said.

AIDS Services client Shirley LeGrand brought the crowd to tears

when she spoke about the incredible role AIDS Services continues to

serve in her life.

“I was in a drug recovery home,” LeGrand said. “To say I was

alone, scared and lost was just a tiny bit of what I was feeling at

that time. Because of AIDS Services Foundation, it was the first time

in a long time I felt at home; the first time in a long time I had

hope. I have a life.”

LeGrand stressed the important services the organization provides

and the people who have changed her life.

The live auction was exciting with Ken Jillson, AIDS Services

Foundation board member, and Carrie Fisher, with their quick wit and

fun banter.

One item for auction was the “Star Wars Trilogy” signed by

Princess Leia herself.

“It was about cows in outer space,” Fisher mused. “I never got to

see the cows in outer space.”

The three autographed movies auctioned for around $700 each, and

an autographed Fender Stratocaster signed by Tom Petty and Bob Dylan

sold for $4,000.

Cybill Shepherd’s lounge-style show captivated the audience with a

mix of her stories and songs. She is quite the songstress, as well as

entertainer.

After her incredible performance, I got the opportunity to chat

with Shirley Jones and her husband Marty Ingles.

“I just loved Cybill’s performance; Edie Gourmet eat your heart

out,” Ingels said.

Shirley Jones said she’s been to Laguna Beach before and was

looking forward to coming back.

“I love this area -- people in Laguna do a lot of work for AIDS; I

would be happy to come to this event anytime,” Jones said.

Meeting and talking with Shepherd was very exciting. She’s

beautiful, kind and gracious.

“It’s important to speak out,” Shepherd said. “I came from the

segregated South -- Memphis, Tennessee.”

Shepherd talked about the pain and hardship she’s seen in the

fight for civil rights. Shepherd sees similar pain regarding rights

for gays and the fight to cure AIDS.

“It’s really come full circle -- it’s all about dedication to

civil rights,” Shepherd said.

“Art for AIDS” has raised more than a million dollars to help

those living with HIV/AIDS. To contact AIDS Services Foundation, call

(949) 809-5700 or go to https://www.ocasf.org. Laguna Art Museum is at

307 Cliff Drive. For information, call (949) 494-8971 or go to

https://www.lagunaart museum.org.