Volunteers Take Center Stage at Fete : Awards: First in a series of annual luncheons recognizes local performing arts workers.

SAN DIEGO —  Even though the menu featured chicken in fragrant pesto sauce, the rich aroma of ham proved the more pervasive and dominant scent in the U.S. Grant ballroom.

Last Wednesday’s “Star Awards Celebration,” a thespian extravaganza hosted by the San Diego Theatre League in honor of noted local performing arts volunteers, brought a reclusive but undeniably hammy group into the forefront by drafting artistic directors from area theaters and performing arts groups to present the awards.

Given for an audience of 370, and planned as the first in a series of annual recognition luncheons, the event provided an opportunity for the league’s 60 member theaters to publicly thank the volunteers who assist with duties ranging from intermission concession sales to major fund-raising. But, since this was the first such luncheon, it particularly honored major players on the local stage, from supporters of the venerable Old Globe to friends of the fairly new, certainly avant-garde Sledgehammer Theatre.

While “What’s in it for me?” is excluded from the official volunteer’s phrase book, the honorees were definitely honored to be honored. Supporters of most theaters took one or more tables and decorated them self-referentially, with a Christmas tree on the North Coast Repertory Theatre’s table (to note a recent production of “Season’s Greetings”) and a high-rising floral arrangement festooned with theatrical programs blocking the view from the table booked by the Patrons of the Arts Foundation.

Like Major League managers forced to prove they can slug a ball, the artistic directors shed their faceless backstage personas and proved they not only can act, but can bring down the house.

Kit Goldman organized the show, a little heavy on Shakespearean sonnets--including one set to rap music, a routine perhaps beyond the bard’s philosophy--and rich in humor. Ralph Elias of Blackfriars Theatre breathed a comical life into “Casey at the Bat” that made an unexpected pleasure of the piece.

The premier honor, the Gold Star Award, was presented to San Diego Theatre League and Foundation founder William Purves, a widely recognized performing arts patron who served as the group’s president from 1984 to 1989. Honored volunteers from a total of 30 theaters and arts groups included Chuck and Margaret Goldsmith of the Christian Community Theater, Mims Stiles of American Ballet of San Diego, Flora Jennings-Small of California Ballet, Dolly Poet of the Old Globe, Ken and Harriet Seebold of Patio Playhouse, Judy Forman of Project Theater/Fern Street Circus, Kellie Evans-O’Connor of San Diego Comic Opera, and Robert Sullivan, a co-founder of the Starlight Musical Theatre.

The luncheon offered guests a smorgasbord of talent and introduced many to figures from theaters they had never visited or, in some cases, did not know existed. Among the presenters were La Jolla Playhouse’s Des McAnuff and Susan Berman, serenading perennial playhouse angel Mandell Weiss; the Globe’s Jack O’Brien; Robert Smyth of Lamb’s Players Theatre, and Don Ward of Starlight. Of the group, Theater Foundation Executive Director Alan Ziter said, “These are the creative directors who bring the fire and lightning to the stage.”

The performers were careful to entertain without upstaging the day’s stars, the volunteers. Victoria Hamilton, executive director of the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, said, “It’s so important to recognize the volunteers who make so much possible, and by the response to today’s event, it’s possible to see how significant the theater community is in this city.”

“Today is so unique; it bridges the gap between the backstage folks and the out-front stars and audiences,” said Kay Porter, who co-chaired the luncheon with Annette Ford. “There are volunteers here who often work without acknowledgment, and I can feel the excitement in this room today. This is no ordinary tribute; it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

Rita and Josiah Neeper served as honorary chairmen of a committee that included Bruce Abrams, Lyn Krant, Christian Turner, Pat JaCoby, Beeb Salzer, Barbara Daly, Gerard Buckley, Anne Armstrong, Saren Spicer, Dianne Streifer and Martha Mary Meade.

DEL MAR--The parade of pooches at Sunday’s “Pizza, Pets and People,” a benefit for the San Diego Humane Society, included such rare breeds as an invisible hound (shown off by a dog-less couple) and “Ralf the Wonder Dog, Master of Disguise” a toy feline brought by cat fancier Dorothy Johnston.

“I think it’s mean that cats weren’t invited,” said Johnston, who nonetheless is a perennial supporter of an event that other regulars have come to call “Sunday in the Park With Dogs.” Given at the Showpark equestrian center here, the casual afternoon fund-raiser brought out about 250 guests and more than 50 pets of all breeds. Committee member Penne Horn estimated proceeds in the $6,000 range, which Jerry Jessop, board president of the San Diego Humane Society, said would be earmarked for the new animal shelter being built by the organization.

Musician Rick Knowlton, stationed at an upright piano that looked almost surreal in the open-air surroundings, offered something a cantata for canines while the Pomerians and poodles politely panted and wove their leashes through the multitude’s many legs. Untangling oneself--the alternative was to topple to the turf in the most ungainly manner--became a prime occupation for most guests. But an air of decorum prevailed, or, as one guest said, “Everybody’s well-behaved--the dogs and the people.”

Event chair Nancy Hester, who founded La Jolla’s ongoing “Off the Wall” street dance and is known for innovative fund-raisers, planned the entertainments equally for pets and people--exciting moments for both sets included chasing yellow tennis balls--and provided blue and red bandannas so that the pooches might have their own style competition. The pizzas, catered by Sammy’s Woodfired, seemed equally appreciated by all guests, irrespective of the number of legs upon which they stood.

“Everybody’s here because they love their dogs and because they love what the Humane Society does for other dogs,” said Hester, whose yellow Labrador, Chelsea, served as something of an honorary hostess to the other pets.

Guests included Barbary Woodbury and Bill Black, Anne Montgomery, Jane Murphy, Darlene and Jim Milligan, Suzanne and John Koch, Jane and Lou Metzger, Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan, Rich Wise, Cuilly Burdett and Sandy Blakeslee.