THE WINNING BID: GOOD TIMES

About 250 supporters of the William Hall Master Chorale of Orange County gathered at Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach on Saturday to bid on auction items and enjoy gourmet fare at the organization’s annual Mardi Gras ball. Guests bid on items ranging from an opportunity to ride on a float in next year’s Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans to a Seabourn cruise of the Greek isles. Proceeds of about $67,000 will benefit the chorale’s programming.