THE CROWD:

There is something special about getting up close and personal with a sea urchin. Last Saturday night in Dana Point the crowd converged on the Ocean Institute to raise funds and awareness to protect sea urchins and other creatures of the deep who reside in our precious coastal waters.

It was Jazz in January the first weekend in February starring the talented performers Rick Braun and Gerald Albright. There was literally no room to move in the sold-out concert and dinner venue.

The evening was attended by some 200 guests who contributed in excess of $115,000 for the programs sponsored by the Ocean Institute.

Tim McMahon chaired the undertaking for the sixth year. His support has rallied local civic, business and social leaders creating a financial win-win for the Ocean Institute.

Literally everything associated with the event was underwritten by generous local contributors.

The party began at dusk with a cocktail reception that featured wines provided by Young’s Market Company and a spectacular martini luge provided by Ketel One Vodka.

The martini luge ice sculpture was shipped down from Canada reportedly because Canada has cleaner water, resulting in a more translucent work of art. Patrons arriving at the party sampled hors d’oeuvres and checked out auction items.

The crowd mingled among tanks displaying live sea creatures, while waiters served an array of delicacies including ahi tuna tartar.

Guests nibbled on the tuna as they were watching their appetizers’ relatives in tanks next to them.

Vera Oxblood of Dover Shores commented, “I took one bite and looked over and saw one fish starring at me, as if to say, ‘Lady what are you doing?’” Vera then sampled the Moroccan spiced lamb on pita, provided by the Montage Resort & Spa who handled the appetizer portion of the dinner along with the Island Hotel, Newport Beach.

A four-course seated dinner followed, catered by the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, The Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort, The Fairmont Newport Beach and the St. Regis Monarch Resort and Spa.

The executive chefs from each hotel donated their time and talent to create one of the most spectacular social dinners on the California Riviera.

During the dinner, Braun, who happens to also be a member of the Ocean Institute board of directors, wowed the crowd with his incredible performance on the trumpet.

He has worked with some of the great singers including Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Glenn Fry, Tom Petty and more.

Braun told a touching story about his daughter, a special needs child, whose imagination came to life with her hands on experience at the Ocean Institute. “It was magical to see her eyes light up with the sensory experience of touching the sea creatures,” he said.

Thousands of Orange County school children share the same experience year in and year out both at the Institute and on the boats featuring whale watching and other oceanographic expeditions.

Braun was joined by talented saxophonist Gerald Albright, who is also known for his musical ability on the electric bass. He has performed with such notables as Nancy Wilson, Randy Newman, Nina Simone and the Temptations. The dinner crowd went wild over the performance.

Among the celebrants were chairman Tim McMahon and his wife, Carol, Tom Sather, Barbara Merriman, Tom and Kathleen Maas, Robert Beaulieu, Linda Mosure, Retha and Chris Champion, Sally and John Coombe, Sharon and Greg Wohl and Mel and Linda Chambers.

Following dinner Kent French handled the live auction duties which included an array of fabulous travel opportunities. The bidding went over the top for the Ocean Institute. For more information on the Ocean Institute contact Ellen Meese at (949) 496-2274 ext. 412 or visit [email protected].

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.