Nightclub Has Heavenly Feel About It
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The Renaissance-style murals surprise you when you sweep into the foyer of Roxbury, Santa Ana’s nightclub-in-progress.
Fashioned after works created by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, the two-story depictions of angels and saints get you thinking about holy water and votive candles.
Very cathedral. But instead of church pews, there are bar stools. Instead of an altar, there are four cocktail bars--one in the jazz club, another in the restaurant, one in the VIP room and another in the dance area.
“The owners wanted a feeling of antiquity,” explains artist Katie Maloney, 23.
So she gave Eli and Demitri Samaha and Chris Breed--owners of the other Roxbury (the one in Los Angeles with the internationally hip reputation)--what she calls an “ascension feeling.”
That means, as you climb the winding stairs, you feel like you’re honing in on Paradise. The looming celestial figures bestow their blessings. And, gazing up at the cupola, you see clouds--heavenly blue cumulus clouds.
Maloney also gave the owners some of her blood. When you zero in on the mural near the entrance to the jazz club, you notice three drops of red near one of the figure’s hands. And there are dabs of hemoglobin on an angel’s lips and nipples.
“This sounds a little freaky,” Maloney says, “but I was so happy to be finished with the murals I cut myself with a razor and signed them with blood.”
Welcome to the Orange County version of Roxbury, the Sunset Boulevard nightclub where the facially gifted go by their first names: Kiefer. Julia. Arsenio. Eddie. Sly.
Will its $3-million sister succeed in Hutton Centre? Restaurateur David Wilhelm, a partner in the project, thinks so. “We’re offering Orange County something it doesn’t have--a moderately priced restaurant in a club where you can dance, enjoy jazz or relax in an elegant private room.” Note: Memberships in the VIP room, with its twin crystal chandeliers and marble fireplace, sell for $750 per year. There is a waiting list.
Wilhelm, a regular at Roxbury north, notes that the L.A. club was not created as a haven for superstars. “Stars ended up at Roxbury because they loved the food and found a place where they could be both public and private.”
Wilhelm is betting the stars will visit the Santa Ana Club as well. “Oh, they’ll be around, but the emphasis here is not on stars, but on great food at a reasonable price and a sophisticated environment for the 25-to-55 set. This is not a club for kids.”
Eli Samaha--who is married to “Wayne’s World” star Tia Carrere--says a good share of Roxbury north’s clientele comes from Orange and San Diego counties. “Now, they won’t have to drive so far,” he says.
The club opens on Feb. 24 with a benefit for Young Professionals Against Cancer. Onstage that night in the jazz club: Carrere and rap singer Gerardo.
If you’re not on the benefit guest list, don’t despair. About 10 p.m., the club will open to the public.
What to wear? “Jeans, a no-collar shirt and jacket is a great look for guys,” says an insider. For women? “Anything short, tight and black.”
Dionne and Ray, only miles away: Two legends of song appeared at Orange County benefits on Friday night. After her appearance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, songbird Dionne Warwick mingled with supporters of AIDS Walk Orange County during a champagne reception at Diva restaurant in Costa Mesa.
Further south, Ray Charles wowed about 1,000 party-goers at the Taco Bell Newport Classic gala, held under a 50,000-square-foot tent in the parking lot at Fashion Island, Newport Beach.
Taking the stage in a black-and-white plaid tuxedo, the Genius of Soul sang blockbuster hits such as “Georgia on My Mind,” “What’d I Say?” and his signature, “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”
” That’s the one I’ve been waiting for,” sighed Sandy Pollak, wife of Rudy Pollak (Taco Bell’s senior director of human resources) as the throaty-sounding Charles crooned “I can’t stop loving you, I’ve made up my mind . . .”
Minutes before the singer’s appearance--about the same time the white-chocolate Grand Marnier souffles were being served--Pollak poured Dom Perignon champagne for table mates who included Taco Bell Senior Vice President Charlie Rogers. “It’s time to celebrate,” Pollak said.
Taco Bell has made a commitment to raise $500,000 in three years for the renovation of the emergency care unit at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Friday night’s gala and the classic’s two-day Pro-Am golf tourney at Newport Beach Country Club are expected to raise about $200,000 for the project.
Also among guests feasting on Chinese, Southwestern and Italian fare created by restaurateur David Wilhelm (who attended the gala with Diva manager Sally Ver Vynck) was Taco Bell CEO John E. Martin. “Hoag’s emergency center was built to accommodate 17,000 patients a year. Last year it served more than 42,000 people,” Martin said. “We had to get involved.”
But Taco Bell might never have made a commitment were it not for Hank Adler, a member of the hospital’s 552 Club support group. “Hank and I were neighbors for years and he really wanted Taco Bell to get involved with Hoag,” Martin said.
“Three years ago he invited me to play in the tournament; I loved it, and here we are.”
Adler, chairman of the classic, shrugged off the praise. “Taco Bell is here because they wanted to get involved in a big way with the community,” he said.
When guests weren’t relishing moo shu chicken, barbecued duck, coconut shrimp or sun-dried tomato lasagna, they were eyeballing Clark Dennis, winner of last year’s tourney and the only pro to hit a hole-in-one on Friday.
Dennis thought his ball had flown over the green on the fourth hole, he said. He didn’t see it bounce. But the ball had popped right into the hole. “When I approached the green, I could see people clapping and going nuts, “ Dennis said. Then he knew.
No big deal. “I’ve had four holes-in-one,” said Dennis, 26. “My first was in South Africa in 1987.”
It’s Magic: Mark your calendars for March 16. That’s the date the Magic Johnson Foundation will stage its first Orange County benefit for the care and education of AIDS patients.
About 450 party-goers will gather at Planet Hollywood at South Coast Plaza Village to schmooze with the Lakers legend, dine, and enjoy a live auction. “We’re going all out,” says a Planet Hollywood spokeswoman. “We’re going to tent the roof of the restaurant and fill the place to the max.”
Bidding Erich bye-bye: The who’s who of Orange County performing arts society will gather at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach on Feb. 11 to bid farewell to Erich Vollmer, executive director of the Orange County Philharmonic Society. Vollmer is taking a position with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. “It will be a simple affair, just cocktails and appetizers,” says a Philharmonic society staff member. “Erich doesn’t want us spending a lot of money.” The man deserves a banquet.
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