Spin City

THE PARTY If one thing’s for certain in O.C., it’s that any party at AnQi will be an over-the-top affair. Such was the case with Serving People in Need’s bash—and credit must go to co-chairwomen Elizabeth An (of the superhip resto) and Soogie Kang for that. They achieved their goal of expanding the 27-year-old nonprofit’s circle of friends. THE GUESTS Some 280 notables (up from 225 in 2014) gathered for the gala, including new supporters Adrienne and R.J. Brandes, and longtime donors Melanie and Ed Fitch, who were among those honored for their dedication. Also on the scene were celebs—Alan Thicke, for example, shared a few laughs with the crowd. THE HIGHLIGHTS Cirque artists who performed acrobatic feats, four courses paired with vino from the likes of Screaming Eagle, a raffle for Piaget’s $21,000 spinning diamond ring (won by Melanie) and music by everyone from American Idol’s Candice Glover to former Berlin lead singer Terri Nunn took our breath away—but it was the $500,000 raised for the group’s mission that brought us to dizzying new heights. –Photos by Vivien Best and Davis Lisenbee