Philanthropy
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'Romance of the Mission' gala
This highly successful gala raised $344,333 to help construct a new museum project at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.
By Tina BorgattaPublished: October 01, 2008
Romance, fabulous food and live entertainment filled the night, and by the time the 10th annual “Romance of the Mission” gala had ended, $344,333 had been raised for a new museum project at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.
“This work will improve the educational experience for the thousands of annual fourth-grade students studying California history, and also give us the opportunity to attract and showcase short-term traveling exhibits from around the world,” Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, executive director of the mission, told her 550 guests.
The event’s name couldn’t be more fitting. It’s held every September. Just before sunset, guests stroll through the gate and wind their way along the cobblestone path to the courtyard garden. Then, just as the sun sets, the guests are directed to the Great Stone Church for an outdoor concert. As the sun goes down, the lights go on, creating a dramatic backdrop for the performance.
This year’s featured artist: Irish vocalist Nyle Wolfe, who sang a medley of European and American favorites. Afterward, guests made their way to the mission garden, where they dined on shrimp, short ribs and dessert, with wine pairings, all prepared by the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The evening concluded with an opportunity prize drawing: a Mikimoto 18-karat white gold fleur de lis pave diamond and pearl drop necklace, valued at $15,000, donated by Traditional Jewelers.
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Romance, fabulous food and live entertainment filled the night, and by the time the 10th annual “Romance of the Mission” gala had ended, $344,333 had been raised for a new museum project at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. “This work will improve the educational experience for the thousands of annual fourth-grade students studying California history, and also give us the opportunity to attract and showcase short-term traveling exhibits from around the world,” Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, executive director of the mission, told her 550 guests. The event’s name couldn’t be more fitting. It’s held every September. Just before sunset, guests stroll through the gate and wind their way along the cobblestone path to the courtyard garden. Then, just as the sun sets, the guests are directed to the Great Stone Church for an outdoor concert. As the sun goes down, the lights go on, creating a dramatic backdrop for the performance. This year’s featured artist: Irish vocalist Nyle Wolfe, who sang a medley of European and American favorites. Afterward, guests made their way to the mission garden, where they dined on shrimp, short ribs and dessert, with wine pairings, all prepared by the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The evening concluded with an opportunity prize drawing: a Mikimoto 18-karat white gold fleur de lis pave diamond and pearl drop necklace, valued at $15,000, donated by Traditional Jewelers. |
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