star of The Virgin of JuarezSeems like it was a week of exotic delights – ranging from Morocco, Turkey, Australia and Juarez, Mexico. We began our journey by first attending the Master Chorales “Scheherazade Ball” at the California Club. With its theme based on 1000 Arabian Nights, the sold out ball featured sensuous belly dancers, Persian carpets, mysterious veils and exotic delicacies. Founding Board members Donald J. Nores and Marshall A. Rutter were honored for their extraordinary contributions to the Chorale.

The highlight of the evening was the surround-sing by members of the Chorale, which helped to raise $335,000 to support the Grammy Award nominated resident company of the Music Center of Los Angeles.

Then a few nights later, we attended a soiree for the first west coast screening of Lovelorn, Turkey’s official entry in the Best Foreign Film category for this year’s Oscars and Golden Globes. Attending the lavish affair at the luxurious home of Turkey’s Consul General, Esin Ansay, were the stars of the film Meltem Cumbul and Sener Sens. Also feasting on traditional Turkish foods, were former Miss Turkey, Mine Vargi as well as members of the Hollywood Foreign Press.

The Virgin of JuarezStill in an international spirit, we moved right along to Australians in Film, to the premiere of The Virgin of Juarez at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. This gripping drama about a journalist (Minnie Driver) is based on the international headlines about the murders of hundreds of young women in Ciudad Juarez Mexico. Driver is arresting in the role, as well as young Mexican beauty, Ana Claudia Talacon, who portrays a survivor of the viscous attacks, who develops psychic visions and stigmata.

Ran into actress Mary MacDonnell, who received two Academy Award nominations (Dances with Wolves and Passion Fish) and agree that Kevin Dobson, who produced and directed this film, is a genius. You can catch The Virgin of Juarez at the Palm Springs film Festival in January.

at "Aging Out Loud Campaign"Back again on the local beat, “Hot Flash” Martinis and mini-burger and mini-fries were on the menu when Connie Stevens hosted a star-studded soiree at her popular Nana’s Garden in West Hollywood. The ever-youthful singing star is the newly appointed National Chairwomen for the Aging out Loud Campaign, which benefits ovarian cancer and other women’s health issues. They encourage women to celebrate and embrace the second half of their lives.

Joining Connie and Jeanie Linders, creator of the hit show, Menopause, The Musical, were octogenarian Phyllis Diller, Renee Taylor (The Nanny), the still gorgeous Ann Jeffries and Steven’s two daughters, Joely and Tricia Leigh Fisher, to name a few. Linders thanked the revelers for their support, and presented Connie with a portrait of herself at 2 years old, saying, “May the inner child in all of us be there forever.” Words of wisdom on the Hollywood Beat.