FESTIVITIES
Fran Drescher, Rita Moreno, Music Center CEO Rachel Moore and Justina Machado
Mindy and Eugene Stein
American Ballet Theatre stars Stella Abrera, raised in South Pasadena, and SoCal’s Misty Copeland made a hometown visit to headline the Music Center’s inaugural Summer Soirée July 7, kicking off a weekend of performances by the premier New York–based dance company. The benefit began at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with a festive dinner of prime New York strip loin, where the legendary Rita Moreno — one of only 12 performers to receive all four major entertainment awards — was honored with the Music Center’s first Excellence in the Performing Arts Award, presented by her close friend Fran Drescher. Guests moved to the auditorium for a spirited performance of Alexei Ratmansky’s Firebird with Abrera and Copeland, who earned a standing ovation from the diverse audience. Revelers went on to an after-party in Grand Park, drenched in red light inspired by the ballet.
Debbie Allen, Misty Copeland and Vivian Nixon
Misty Copeland with Summer Soirée Co-chairs Lisa Gilford, Catharine Soros and Kiki Gindler plus Rachel Moore (middle)
C.C.H. Pounder, Samara Zane and Lorraine Toussaint 10 | ARROYO | 08.16
Suzanne Rheinstein, Sharon Rising and Jennifer Fain
Diane Medina
Alyce Williamson and Glorya Kaufman
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Stefanie Keenan for The Music Center
Misty Copeland, Rita Moreno, Rachel Moore and Stella Abrera