THE CROWD:Come get rid of those hot summer blues

If you’ve got the summer blues, help awaits.

The Center Stage Chapter of the Guilds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center presents its 15th annual summer extravaganza, “Red Hot Blues On A Cool Summer Night.”

Set for Thursday at South Coast Plaza Village, the alfresco dinner and concert will feature the local blues musicians Finis Tasby and the Royal Blues Band.

Tickets to the evening are $45 in advance, $55 at the door. The price of admission includes food stations from top local restaurants, including several from South Coast Plaza and South Coast Village.

Quattro Café is a primary underwriter this year, along with WineStyles and Wilson Creek Winery.

Last week in Villa Park a chic summer get-together poolside at the residence of Judge Bill and Dr. Jane McDonald brought together donors and underwriters of the Center Stage Chapter for an advance celebration to thank the generous local folks for their support prior to the big event next Thursday.

Major sponsor Quattro Café also created the patron dinner, serving a four-course summer meal that included coconut-curried summer shrimp, asparagus with filet mignon, spinach ravioli and a selection of desserts.

Talented pianist Gerard Hagen entertained poolside while patrons — including Margie Lord, chairwoman of the Center Stage Chapter — mingled with fellow donors Gwen Braman, chairwoman of the upcoming Red Hot Blues evening, Jim and Natalie Vogt, Richard and Jane Taylor, Ed and Jolen Kady, Marilyn Brewer, Arthur Charap, Andee Sinkk, Carol Dodson, Carol McCarren and Pam Warner.

Also on hand for the summer gathering were Cathy and Cliff Flemming, Nannette Macbeth, Paul Watkins, Terri Penman, Michael Neuman, Joyce Bond, Carol Pelosi and Corky Lunsford.

For more information and reservations for the upcoming blues night, please call (949) 388-4465 or visit www.Center-Stage.org.