Everybody is a star: Celebrity appearances light up the social season's night
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In a place where everybody is a star — or at least, where everybody thinks they are ― savvy event chairs know that the celebrity guest creates the sizzle that sells the steak.
Or veal chop or baby lamb chops or Chilean sea bass.
Sophisticated and cosmopolitan Palm Beachers may well be, but there's no denying that a celebrity guest fills the seats.
For the 2023-24 season, they primarily come from the entertainment field ... except for the former member of the British royal family.
Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope
That's right. The Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope (CAHH) can claim bragging rights for the get of the season with Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York.
Talk about a good divorce lawyer. When shedding Prince Andrew, she had to give up the "Her Royal Highness" title, but managed to keep the Duchess thing.
She will be the guest speaker at the CAHH's Shop The Day Away Luncheon, which will take place beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 7 at The Breakers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, to our Shop The Day Away Luncheon," said Stanton Collemer, CEO of Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope.
"The Duchess is an author, businesswoman, cancer survivor, and philanthropist who has raised millions of dollars for charities around the world. She is also a leading voice on the importance of early cancer detection and regular mammogram screenings. We are grateful for the community’s support of our mission and look forward to hosting another successful and fashionable luncheon in Palm Beach.”
Arlette Gordon is chairwoman, with Joseph and Max McNamara serving as chairmen.
MorseLife Health System
The MorseLife dinner dance committee continues to set a high bar for entertainment as they finalize plans for the 40th anniversary dinner dance.
Tony Award-winning actress, singer and dancer Sutton Foster follows Chita Rivera, Jared Spector, Rachel Brosnahan and Patti LuPone into the spotlight as the evening's entertainment.
Really, we think there's some kind of clause that specifies "must have at least one Tony Award" as a condition of contract.
Foster has had six Tony nominations and two wins, for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Anything Goes."
The event takes place Dec. 15 at The Breakers and will honor Sondra and David Mack, who are also serving as the evening's chairman and chairwoman, and Donald Ephraim and Terri Sriberg who are serving as honorary chairman and honorary chairwoman.
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
The Kravis Center Gala has been hit-or-miss with entertainment, primarily because the entertainer is not hired specifically for the gala. Instead, it is whomever is performing at the Kravis Center that night.
There's been some great ones ― Steve Martin/Martin Short, Vic Damone, Neil Sedaka, Liza Minelli and Joel Gray ― and some like Sarah McLachlan, whose undeniably golden throat delivered ballads so sad that we wanted to run home and snuggle with our boyfriends Ernest and Julio.
Luckily, the 30th anniversary take-home present of a string of pearls perked us up right quick.
But for 2024? Jackpot! The immensely popular David Foster ― our third favorite Canadian export after Brian Mulroney and Crown Royal Blue LaSalle — is returning to the Kravis and bringing Katharine McPhee and LeAnn Rimes with him.
“We are thrilled to have David Foster, Katharine McPhee and LeAnn Rimes bring their powerhouse vocals to Dreyfoos Hall for this year’s Gala,” said Diane Quinn, Kravis Center CEO. “Their upcoming performance will be a one-of-a-kind concert for our Kravis guests. Along with this year’s leadership from William A. Meyer and Kristen and David Lambert, the gala is sure to be a tremendous success.”
The Michael J. Fox Foundation
On March 7, "CBS Sunday Morning" anchor Jane Pauley will leave New York's slushy streets behind and head to Palm Beach to speak at the Michael J. Fox Foundation's luncheon at the Sailfish Club.
Pauley and Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease, are longtime friends.
A May interview with the actor offered a poignant look at Fox’s wry view of Parkinson’s as "the gift that keeps on taking" and how MJFF research was responsible for the most promising breakthrough yet in the search for a cure.
“As a member of the board of directors at The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), I continue to witness first-hand the incredible momentum in Parkinson’s research,” said Bonnie Strauss, co-chair of the ''It Will Take All of Us to Cure Parkinson's'' luncheon.
“We’re thrilled to once again bring our event to the Palm Beach community and share the latest research and to raise funds and awareness for a Parkinson’s cure.”
The LIFE Foundation
Paul Anka is in town a lot. He's a regular performer at the Kravis Center and has appeared several times at Lois Pope's Lady In Red gala.
He must have liked it, because he's coming back.
“Paul Anka has performed with music legends Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Connie Francis, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Tom Jones, and Elvis, among many other global superstars," said gala chairwoman Pope. "Having Paul Anka headline our Lady in Red Gala will be like watching a concert with the world’s greatest entertainers on one stage!”
Also returning ― for the fourth time — is funnyman Jay Leno.
“With his exceptional wit and charm, we are honored to celebrate our special anniversary with Jay Leno," Pope said. "We are looking forward to a night filled with laughter and joy. Jay is the funniest person I know, and we are privileged to have him perform at the LIFE's Lady in Red Gala for the fourth time.”
The event takes place March 17 at The Breakers.
“This is expected to be another sold-out event, so I encourage those looking to secure a seat to RSVP early," Pope said.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Even in sophisticated Palm Beach, celebrity guest help fill the seats.
