COMMUNITY FUND-RAISERS

Actress Marion Ross hosts The Gala of Dreams, a benefit at the 2000 Pageant of the Masters. 7 p.m. Sept. 1. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. $50-$100 per person. Black tie preferred. (949) 497-6582.

AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County presents “Splashin’ Under the Big Top,� a pool theater benefit. Sept. 7-10. Sept. 10 show includes dinner. Tickets $50-$250. Patrons meet shuttle buses at Wesley Drive and Pacific Coast Highway. (949) 580-2020.

Phillip Somerville, Queen Elizabeth II’s hat designer, headlines a high tea and fashion show to raise funds for the Marconi Foundation for Kids, High Priority Breast Cancer Information Network and the Sophisticates of ATSC. 11 a.m. Sept. 14. Marconi Automotive Museum, 1302 Industrial Drive, Tustin. $125 per person. (714) 258-3001.

Opera Pacific holds Festa Italiana with bel canto style Italian arias presented at the Irvine Bowl. Preconcert reception 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16. The grounds of the Festival of the Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. $275 per person. (949) 474-4488, Ext. 320.

South Coast Repertory hosts “Roman Affair: SCR Gala 2000.� 7 p.m. Sept. 16. Cocktails at Imperial Bank Plaza; 8 p.m. dinner at The Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. Tickets start at $500 each. (714) 708-5562.

Jeannette Segerstrom will be honored by founders of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Casa La Cuesta in Lemon Heights. Classical tenor Christopher Campbell performs. $100 per person. (949) 497-2872.

HomeAid Orange County benefits from the Founders Golf Tournament. Noon. Sept. 18. Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. $250. (714) 545-2222.

Saks Fifth Avenue donates 2% of sales to St. Joseph Hospital and Mission Hospital’s breast-care centers in “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.� 6-9 p.m. Sept. 21. Saks Mission Viejo, 500 The Shops at Mission Viejo. Guests receive a 10% discount on merchandise. (949) 347-5311.

Family Solutions Inc. benefits from Autumn Magic Dinner Dance. 6 p.m. Sept. 23. Village Crean, 2300 Mesa Drive, Santa Ana Heights. $125 per person. (714) 835-1333, Ext. 108.

Kids Cancer Connection benefits from the Greater Alarm Charity Golf Classic. Sept. 25. Dove Canyon Country Club, 22682 Golf Club Drive. $295. (949) 474-0555.

Send information at least two weeks before the event to Lynn O’Dell, Orange County Benefits, Los Angeles Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Fax: (714) 966-7790.