Malibu Seen / By Kim Devore

0
133
Famed crooner Steve Tyrell joins Karen Pulaski to celebrate song at the Fulfillment Fund. Photo by Alex Berliner @ Berliner Photography/BEImages

TOP OF THE POPS

It was a feel-good trip down memory lane as the Fulfillment Fund reunited, some the biggest names in ’70s pop for an all-star benefit concert at the Wadsworth Theater. One-time chart toppers like Neil Sedaka, Mac Davis, Steven Bishop and Tony Orlando all took to the stage for the third annual “Songs of Our Lives.”

Call it Woodstock for the old-time, bubble gum crowd. Sedaka had the crowd rocking out to favorites like “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.” Mac Davis jogged the mind with “Baby, Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” and “In the Ghetto.” Tony Orlando showed off his show biz style with “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” and “Sweet Gypsy Rose,” while songwriter L. Russell Brown performed his hit “Knock Three Times.” Even American Songbook master Steve Tyrell stopped by with a surprise performance of “Killing Me Softly.” Tyrell teamed up with songwriter and Fulfillment Fund board member Charles Fox, who penned the hit.

Fox made this annual evening of music a tradition and says the event gets better every year. “The evening is a huge success because of the intimacy and the renowned artists that participate. All of these incredible songwriters come together, on one stage, to perform their greatest and most famous songs. The audience is thrilled to hear some of their favorite songs sung by the artists who wrote them. At the same time, they will be helping to support the education of at-risk students by providing them with the resources to go to college.”

For 33 years, the Fulfillment Fund has helped low income and disadvantaged kids get the help they need to graduate from high school and go on to college.

The toe tapping blast to the past helped raise more than $155,000. Where have these aging pop icons been all along? Who knows? But can “Dancing with the Stars” be far behind?

CARING FOR CRITTERS

Animal lovers are gearing up for one of Malibu’s favorite events to benefit one of its favorite causes. It’s the annual Wild Brunch to raise money for the good folks at the California Wildlife Center. Locals Cindy Crawford, Kelsey Grammer, Pamela Anderson, Michael Madsen and Mira Sorvino are all on this year’s honorary committee.

The event, which will take place on the expansive ocean view estate called Gull’s Way, offers food, fun, music, wine tasting and a live auction. Hair care guru John Paul DeJoria is in line to receive the Free Spirit award while TV legend and longtime animal supporter Bob Barker will get the Wild Angel Award.

The CWC was established in 1998 and is a lifeline for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Over the years, the organization has come to the rescue, caring for more than 22,000 animals. Expect this year’s bash to be fawntastic!

Got a hot happening or cool event? Send the 411 to kimdevore@malibutimes.com.