The Crowd: Events aim to help serious diseases

The spring social season will honor two of the region's most philanthropic couples on behalf of very serious causes.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) challenges concerned citizens to "Imagine a World Without Diabetes." The JDRF "Dream Gala" is set for March 12 at the St. Regis Resort & Spa.

This year the honored guests will be two of the most charming and generous people in Orange County, Marybelle and S. Paul Musco. Last week in Newport Beach, organizers threw a chic reception at A'Maree's Pacific Coast Highway salon, catered by Colette's Catering Extraordinaire and underwritten by Newport's generous Toni and Steve Berlinger.

In addition to supporting JDRF and a host of other Orange County causes, the Muscos are heading up an enormous capital campaign to raise funds to build a state-of-the-art performing arts center on the campus of Chapman University in Orange. If you are looking for a couple with both substance and style, look no further.

To support the JDRF Dream Gala, chaired by Tracy McCarter, please call (949) 553-0363 or e-mail OrangeCounty@jdrf.org for more information.

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They are among the most visible and glamorous of the Orange County philanthropists. Julia and George Argyros will step forward yet again to front the "Glimmer of Hope" gala benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County.

The spring party will take place March 26 at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Newport Beach, where the Argyros' will receive United Cerebral Palsy's "Impact Award" for 2011. Organizers have created the evening around the Broadway musical "Wicked," with music and performances from the show featured throughout the evening's entertainment. Cocktails and dinner will accompany a silent and live auction benefiting United Cerebral Palsy and the children and young adults they serve.

The financial support of numerous community causes sustained by the Argyros family is legendary in Orange County. It seems that they never can say no where there is a need.

For tickets and sponsor information for the ball, please contact Erin Ball at (949) 333-6452 or visit http://www.ucp-oc.org.

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From charity to culture, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents its next star in the popular Cabaret Series held in the wonderful Samueli Theater. Up next, operatic star Nathan Gunn will be onstage March 24 to 27, performing standards from the Great American Songbook along with new material from contemporary composers.