Malibu Seen / By Kim Devore

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Photo by Patrick McMullan Christina Aguilera hits a high note at one of the parties of the year.

From Terra to Charlie’s to BeauRivage, Malibu will be ringing in 2011 in style. The year 2010 was filled with love and good cheer, so here’s a look back at the parties of the year.

LANDMARK OCCASION

The new Lynda and Stewart Pavilion at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art made its debut with a splashy opening night extravaganza. With David Foster, David Geffen, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Eli and Edythe Broad, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, Malibu was well represented. They were among the nearly 1,000 guests treated to a sneak peek of the place, which included a lavish masked ball. The sleek 45,000-square-foot structure was designed by famed architect Renzo Piano and was made possible thanks to a generous $45 million grant to the Transformation: The LACMA Campaign. The opulently clad crowd tucked into a fabulous feast put together by Patina before songbird Christina Aguilera sang the night away.

A RING FLING

There was fuss, fanfare, hype and hullabaloo, but for local Los Angeles Opera President Marc Stern, wife Eva Stern and thousands of music lovers, the “Ring Cycle” was well worth the wait. Wagner’s four-work tale of tainted gold, Nordic gods and superheroes weighed in at a hefty 17 hours and came with a slew of splashy opening night performances. It was a labor of love with a $32 million price tag, and the spectacular staging by German avant-garde director Achim Freyer was a visual delight that opera lovers won’t soon forget.

HEART TO HEART

Locals Linda Thompson and Brooke Burke joined in the fun, fashion, music and magic at this year’s Race to Erase MS.

In keeping with tradition, the program started with a glitzy Tommy Hilfiger fashion show. Buffed out guys and leggy girls graced the catwalk in everything from chic geometric prints to splashy beachwear from the designer’s latest collection. The evening’s entertainment was equally exciting beginning with the legendary girl group Heart. After 20 years the gals showed they still got what it takes, belting out hit songs like “Barracuda,” “Alone” and, of course, “Crazy on You.” Next, hipster Avril Lavigne took the stage for a five-song set including “Complicated,” “Happy Ending” and “I’m With You.”

When the night was through, Nancy Davis and her pals had raised more than $2 million in the fight against multiple sclerosis.

TV TIME

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising was the place to be as famous fashionistas geared up for the 2010 Emmy Awards. Malibu designer Sue Wong was among the stylish scenesters who checked out the “Outstanding Art of Television Design” exhibition.

Despite an endless parade of fashion statements, it was the exhibit that took center stage. They went crazy over creations from shows like “Mad Men.” You could get an up close look at the very best of ‘60s chic with dapper Don Draper’s perfectly cut custom suits, Peggy Olsen’s prim work wear, Betty Draper’s fabulously feminine day dresses and the form-fitting gems that hug Joan Holloway’s every curve. Yowza!

MERRY-GO-ROUND

Halle Berry turned heads at the Carousel of Hope Ball. The Malibu beauty joined an all-star line up for Barbara Davis’ annual bash. The festivities started with a VIP cocktail party with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson mingling with Jane Fonda, Rod Stewart and Paris Hilton before sitting down for a three-course feast and bidding up high-end items at the live auction. Songbird Jennifer Lopez sang a touching duet with hubby Marc Anthony and the evening wrapped up on a nostalgic note with Gladys Knight belting out “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Over the years, the event has raised a whopping $75 Million for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

STRIKE UP THE BAND

There was color, drama and plenty of Latin flair as Gustavo Dudamel kicked off his second season as music director with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Entertainment legends Neil Diamond, John Williams and Herbie Hancock were among those sailing up a raspberry red carpet for another one of “The Dude’s” unforgettable dos. The benefit concert featured a special program of bel canto arias and popular Latin American canciones developed by Dudamel and famed tenor Juan Diego Florez as well as overtures and arias by Rossini, and songs by Granda, Lara, Grever and Gutierrez.

After a rousing five-minute standing ovation, two encores and a shower of silver and pink streamers, guests made their way to the tented party palace on Grand Avenue. Fantastico!

Much merriment was made,

Funding good causes too,

Whether parties were tame

Or more of a zoo.

With all the excitement

It was hard to keep pace,

But they made the world a better place.

From art to medicine the mission was clear,

So here’s to health and happiness throughout the New Year.