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The Crowd: ‘Glee’ star appears at benefit event

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The world-class OMEGA boutique recently celebrated its opening at South Coast Plaza in conjunction with a benefit event assisting the Festival of Children Foundation, the organization close to the heart of SCP partner Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and husband John Daniels.

The crowd converged upon OMEGA, standing shoulder to shoulder in-store, sipping champagne and checking out the fashionistas on parade for a mid-week romp among the young, the trendy, and the attractive. Glamorous store openings are perfect people watching territory, especially if you are in search of the shortest black cocktail dress or the tightest man’s tailored “Italian cut” silk suit.

OMEGA’s VIPS flew in from Switzerland and New York at the behest of OMEGA boss Stephen Urquhart and staff. Also front and center on behalf of the company was Charles Laevens, an executive in charge of retail store expansion.

The crowd shared cocktail conversation and ogled the fabulous OMEGA watches, while nibbling on hors d’oeuvres served by Quattro Caffe, before heading over to Jewel Court for a private concert set up behind curtains of draped black duvateen.

OMEGA hired Broadway and TV sensation Matthew Morrison (star of the FOX series “Glee” and a local O.C. kid made good) to deliver a private musical experience for invited guests. Morrison, two musicians and a pair of female back up vocalists charmed the captive crowd with mostly original material and one of Morrison’s favorite songs “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” Hula-style on the ukulele.

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If that was not enough, Morrison and guests were invited to dinner following the mini-concert at Orange County’s incredible dining room known as Marche Moderne. The host committee led by Christine and J.D. Montgomery joined Sandy and John Daniels, welcoming the VIPs for dinner, expressing gratitude to OMEGA and its president Stephen Urquhart for a generous donation of $40,000 made to The Festival of Children Foundation.

Angelitos Card

The Angelitos de Oro in support of local Big Brothers/Big Sisters is busy this week with the annual shopping and dining extravaganza at South Coast Plaza. Donors purchasing the “Angelitos Card” for $60 are entitled to a 20% discount at some 100 shops and restaurants at SCP participating in this 10th annual fundraiser assisting disadvantaged kids in Orange County.

The fully tax-deductible $60 card donation has, over the years, helped the Angelitos ladies raise more than $4.3 million for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Presently, the group directly assists some 1,500 local youths during the year. The card is valid through Oct. 18, making this coming weekend the big shopping event. If you have not yet purchased a card, they are available at South Coast Plaza concierge desks. SCP is at 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Halloween Gala

The Friends of Dorothy, a guild benefiting the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County, will once again present a “Haunted Halloween” costume gala. The Village Crean will be the haunted house on Oct. 22 for cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a costume contest not to be missed.

The indefatigable Barbara Venezia will front the affair, supported by a large contingent of locals dedicated to fighting AIDS, which according to recent statistics is spreading at significant rates in the heterosexual senior population — no longer solely a disease of young gay males. For information and reservations, email Barbara at bvontv@earthlink.net. Who will you be for Halloween 2011?

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.

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