VINTAGE VERDI
It was an evening that would do Jay Gatsby proud. Malibu’s Marc and Eva Stern kicked off the Los Angeles Opera’s opening night with a roaring twenties theme. After a VIP champagne reception featuring flappers, vintage cars and Kate Walsh, guests made their way into the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for an updated and eye-popping version of Giuseppe Verdi’s iconic “La traviata.”
The opening celebration honored former County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who has been actively involved in the arts and culture.
Zev even picked up the baton for a turn conducting the orchestra.
Gussied up guests topped it off with a fab art deco-themed feast and a prohibition-era after party.
GOING WILD
The California Wildlife Center (CWC) was given a generous donation of $600,000 thanks to Oracle founder Larry Ellison and his animal-loving partner Nikita Kahn.
The billionaire and philanthropist girlfriend put together an exclusive and intimate evening at Nikita Malibu restaurant on PCH.
The posh pair hosted the VIP “Appreciating the Wild” fundraiser.
Ellison’s daughter, film producer Megan Ellison, mingled and posed for photos with Hollywood hunk Bradley Cooper. Others in the crowd included Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow, famed surfer Laird Hamilton and wife Gabrielle Reece.
The VIP evening also featured performances by local musician David Foster who brought along Charles Perry and Fairground Saints.
It was a great lead up to CWC’s annual fundraiser, The Wild Brunch, which took place at Gull’s Way Estate in Malibu.
The Honorary Committee included Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, Nikita Kahn and Larry Ellison, Barbara and Cisco Adler, and Pamela Anderson, as well as Jessica Biel, Michael Madsen and everyone from Sir Anthony Hopkins to Slash.
The afternoon event has become a local tradition, featuring the best in veggie cuisine, Malibu and Napa Valley wines, a live and silent auction, and the release of a recently rehabilitated red-tail hawk.
PAST PERFECT
When you have a historic extravaganza like “Pompeii: The Exhibition” that’s something to celebrate. The California Science Center did just that and pulled out all the stops for its annual Discovery Ball.
It was a lavish production with bare-chested centurions, as well as costume-clad ladies snacking on grapes.
After a VIP cocktail reception, guests were invited upstairs for a sneak peak at the stunning new show. The place was packed as local science buffs like Bill and Cheryl Chadwick eyed a spectacular exhibit of frescoes, sculpture, jewelry and artifacts, as well as a dramatic wide screen video, simulating the area’s demise by an erupting Mt. Vesuvius.
Then chariots (aka golf carts) whisked us off to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which was transformed into a lush garden villa, straight out of Pompeii.
After savoring a tasty Italian meal, the group joined in a live auction conducted by NBC’s Fritz Coleman.
ALL RIGHT, ALL NIGHT
Malibu’s Matthew McConaughey joined a long list of locals when he was awarded the 28th annual achievement award by the American Cinematheque in Beverly Hills. The impressive roster includes Robert Downey Jr., Steven Spielberg, Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, Mel Gibson and Rob Reiner.
The starry evening traced MM’s career from out of control films like “Dazed and Confused” through out-of-this-world flicks like “Interstellar.” Recently, he received critical acclaim for the gripping drama “True Detective,” as well as his Academy Award-winning performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.”
THE FORCE IS WITH THE PHIL
Darth Vader at Disney Hall? Believe it … light saber and all. Yes, the stars aligned for a grand opening night as Gustavo Dudamel helped kick off the 2014-15 Los Angeles Philharmonic Season with a “Celebration of John Williams.”
Local Phil-lovers like Julie Andrews and Ginny Mancini gussied up in their black-tie-best to salute the famed composer who has scored so many memorable movie moments for generations of fans.
After crowd-pleasing favorites like the theme from “Jaws,” the evening’s honoree led the orchestra in a performance of his famous “Imperial March” from “Star Wars” and you guessed it — the magical appearance of Imperial Storm Troopers, heralding the arrival of Darth Vader himself. It all wrapped up with a sea of confetti in the shapes of C3PO and R2D2 cascading from the ceiling. Bravo!
So that’s the wrap for Malibu Seen, but we’ll meet up again in 2015!