Guests gathered at 6 p.m. for a cocktail reception prior to being seated in the ruins of the Great Stone Church for a 7 p.m. concert before dinner.
Museum Executive Director Mechelle Laurence-Adams welcomed guests and introduced museum preservation foundation board member George O’Connell. O’Connell and his wife, Eden, have been ardent and longtime supporters of mission preservation.
George O’Connell then introduced the crowd to fellow preservationists and donors including such Orange County notables as Joan Irvine Smith, Mozelle and Myron Sukut, Rachel and Jim Everett, Melinda and Tony Moiso, Jane and Warren Siegel, Connie and Peter Spenuzza, E.J. Tracy, and Janet Curci, to name a few.
The gala’s executive committee included Diana Arrigoni, Barb Beier, Georgianna Hales, Mozelle Sukut, and the beautiful and classy Madeline Swinden, who served as the 2009 founding benefit gala chairwoman of the evening.
The music of a Spanish guitar performed by artist Benise captivated the crowd with his remarkable traditional Flamenco interpretations. The handsome entertainer with the flowing brown hair and contagious smile melted the hearts of the ladies in the crowd as he performed his music with grace and passion, transcending all cultural barriers and preconceived notions about the Spanish guitar.
Benise was accompanied by a troupe of beautiful women dancing to his music.
It was all part of his performance that is gaining national attention via public television productions that are called “Nights of Fire.” The shows began airing in 2007 featuring a unique blend of music and dance combining Spanish flamenco, Cuban salsa, African rhythms, Argentine tango and Brazilian samba.
The romantic mood of the party was firmly set before dinner was served.
