GRAND SLAM
Despite last minute changes, drop-outs and injuries, the MusiCares Foundation served up a memorable night of tennis at its 9th annual “Night at the Net” fund-raiser. David and Linda Foster were among the local fans who flocked to UCLA to help kick-off the Mercedes Benz Cup on July 24. Dave is still trying to get a grip on things after breaking his wrist in the Bahamas. “Can you believe this?” he sighed. “Four months of physical therapy.”
Even if he’s not quite keyboard ready, Foster has been a longtime supporter of the MusiCares Foundation, which provides financial assistance in the form of health care and housing to members of the music community.
Every year, the Mercedes Benz Cup opens with a celebrity match that features hearty laughs as well as lobs and long shots.
Top pros Andre Agassi and Gustavo Kuerten had to cancel due to injuries. But the show must go on — and it did with Michael Chang and Mark Philippoussis stepping up to the baseline.
Chang played alongside Dustin Hoffman. Dennis Miller paired up with Philippoussis. Miller threw out snappy one-liners while Hoffman pulled off some impressive serves, volleys and saves. Together with Chang, the Oscar-winner seemed destined for glory, but Philippoussis and Miller surprised everyone with a last-minute rally and went on to win.
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
John Spencer took a break from “West Wing” to take in the sounds of music at the Hollywood Bowl. The Cahuenga pass was rockin’ with a repertoire of American standards courtesy of Rose Clooney and Michael Feinstein on July 22. Rose, 72, needed a helping hand to reach the stage, but once in place by the piano, the songbird wowed the crowds with a voice that defies the test of time. Her set featured an enjoyable selection of all-time favorites from “Nice ‘n Easy” to “In the Wee Small Hours” and Cole Porter’s “I Concentrate on You.” She sent her fans home with a couple of greats from Gershwin as she teamed up with Feinstein for “Our Love is Here to Stay” and “Strike Up the Band.”
PARTY ANIMALS
The Dems don’t have any shortage of tony friends in Tinseltown. Locals are kicking into high gear to celebrate the upcoming convention. Plastic surgeon-to-the-stars Steve Teitelbaum will be hosting an intimate cocktail reception for Hillary Rodham’s New York Senate campaign. Suggested contributions start at $1,000. Across town, media superstars will be gathering at the Los Angeles County Performing Arts Center for some boozing and schmoozing of their own. Michele Willens and David Corvo will have a beach house full of high-rollers and political power players and famed F-O-B Barbara Streisand will open her doors to raise dollars for the Clinton presidential library.