Hollywood Beat

White Light White Night and Cal Spirit Charity Fundraisers

More than 800 guests flaunted their best white attire at the annual White Light White Night in Redondo Beach.

“Walk With Sally’s” annual charity fundraiser was emceed by KTLA newswoman Mary Beth McDade, where the evening’s festivities included appearances by actress Amy Smart, Scott Elrod, Brandon Molale, KTLA anchor Cher Calvin and former NFL players Jim Finn (Giants) and Brad Scioli (Colts).

Alongside the marina at the future site of the new Shade Hotel, the main event included a food and beverage fair featuring some of the hottest restaurants and bars in the South Bay.

The evening ended with a live performance by Blues Traveler’s including a rousing performance of their hit song “Run Around.” The charity raised in excess of $150,000 for the evening.

Walk With Sally is committed to providing healing and comfort to children debilitated by the emotional experience of living with or losing a parent or sibling to cancer. This healing is facilitated through free of charge mentoring support programs and services that provide an emotionally safe environment for children to share their difficult experience with someone who has suffered the same and walked in their shoes. www.walkwithsally.org

Master Chef Wolfgang Puck, Sherry Lansing and Barbara Lazaroff will gather LA’s top restaurateurs and acclaimed California vintners for California Spirit XXVII, Sunday, August 7, 2011 at the Pacific Design Centers expansive plaza to benefit American Cancer Society research, education and free programs and services for cancer patients, families and caregivers. The event honors Margaret Loesch, president and CEO of The Hub, who will receive the Society’s Celebration of Life Award for her support of the Society’s lifesaving programs and services in Los Angeles.

Now in its 27th year, CALIFORNIA SPIRIT is a much-anticipated event with a well-established reputation as one of the most prestigious charity galas in California.  Master Chef Wolfgang Puck will gather renowned chefs from Los Angeles’ best restaurants to create their finest culinary creations, featuring gourmet food, premium California wines, live entertainment, and a live+silent auction with a chance to win a 2011 Lexus CT 200H Hybrid. Participating restaurants include: Beacon, Chinois on Main, Cut, Lago, Matsuhisa Beverly Hills, Rays & Stark Bar, Red 7, Sashi, Spago Beverly Hills and WP 24.

Tickets are $350 for this prestige food/wine event and can be purchased at the event website:  http://www.calspirit.org

Cancer will strike one of every three Californians during their lifetime, and three out of four families. The American Cancer Society eases the burden of cancer in our community as advocates for those whose lives have been touched by this disease and by providing free services to patients and their caregivers.

TOP: Barbara Lazaroff, Joyce Rey, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Nancy Riordan, Sherry Lansing. BOTTOM-LEFT: Wolfgang Puck and Joyce Rey