Happy Hour at the Morse Residence
There was much to behold at the Sunset Cocktail and Fundraiser on February 19, 2020 in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs. With the San Jacinto rock face in the near distance, we entered the historic Morse Residence, a delightful Hollywood Regency design from 1960-1961, with period furniture and artwork indoors and out. We packed a lot into two hours and raised nearly $10,000.00 to fund a nomination of Newport Beach’s Stuff Shirt to the National Register of Historic Places.
A highlight of the afternoon was the swinging sound of a four-piece band, headed by our hosts- musicians Gary Gand and Joan Gand, with Will Wiegler on percussion and Kellee McGuinn on vocals. Hors d’oeuvres and martinis were served in the sunken living room, thanks to the generosity of Newport Beach resident, Sarah McElroy.
Special guests at the event included Jenny, Brent and Liz Kelsey, the adult children of Stuft Shirt architect, John Kelsey; architectural photographer, Wayne Thom, who photographed several of Ladd & Kelsey’s buildings; and Los Angeles author and personality, Charles Phoenix.
As if the setting, music and food weren’t enough, each guest went home with a special gift: “Harbor Happenings,” a print designed by the artist and Orange County resident, Shag, that shows the Stuft Shirt on its sturdy piers in Newport Bay. Shag, whose work is adored by Midcentury Modern enthusiasts from all over, created the piece for our event as an homage to the building, designed by Ladd & Kelsey in 1961.
Shag also donated his large, now out-of-print illustration of a historic party held in the Morse Residence. Offered in an opportunity drawing during the cocktail reception, ticket sales for the print allowed us to reach our fundraising goal!
For more information about our advocacy initiative for the Stuff Shirt, please click here.
