AMAZING GRACE
“Will & Grace” star Eric McCormack and “The Practice’s” Camryn Manheim were among the famous faces milling about at this year’s Project Angel Food gala. It’s surprising what one can do with a blank canvas of asphalt as party planners turned a humble West Hollywood parking lot into a chic party palace filled with greenery, sunflowers and baskets overflowing with fresh fruit.
The chow had a South American flavor, but on stage the fare was all soul. Tony-award winner Jennifer Holliday took the stage belting out a medley of songs from her hit musical “Dream Girls” as well as a loud and proud rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
Both McCormack, his wife Janet McCormack and producer Loreen Arbus were honored for their good deeds on behalf of the group. The dinner raised $400,000 to help feed people with HIV/AIDS. Best of all, Arbus surprised the group with a generous donation of $150,000-the largest individual contribution in Project Angel Food’s 13-year history. Now, that’s divine!
GETTING SPACEY
Malibu’s Ginny Mancini ended her summer on a high note. Her Henry Mancini Institute wrapped up its successful concert series with a grande finale at UCLA’s Royce Hall. This year’s Mancini Musicale gala lauded the musical contributions of legendary recording producer and engineer Phil Ramone. The popular pro has worked with the heaviest of heavyweights over the years including Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra and Paul Simon, to name a few.
Backed by a talented group of Henry Mancini Institute performers, the program featured a lively round of musical performances by Patti Austin, John Clayton and Roy Hargrove, and of all people-actor Kevin Spacey-who’s not exactly among the usual suspects.
Spacey has been working with Ramone on an upcoming movie in which he plays crooner Bobby Darin. To prove he’s more than just an Oscar-winning pretty face, the actor broke out in song. Without missing a beat, he went into a swaggering, finger-snapping version of “I Found a New Baby.” As for his newly discovered talent, he credited the evening’s honoree for his perfect pipes.
“Without Phil,” he explained, “I wouldn’t have the guts to do this.” Ramone received the group’s Hank Award and was clearly moved by the experience, saying, “I’m just thrilled. This is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had.”
As for Spacey, who knows? This could be the start of something big.