News Summary
Approximately 400 attendees gathered at the Lido Theatre for a fundraising film screening of the documentary ‘Newport and Me: Seymour Beek.’ The event, organized by the Balboa Island Museum, showcased the rich history of Newport and featured a summer menu for guests. Despite a technical glitch during the screening, Seymour Beek engaged the audience with humor. The museum plans to hold additional screenings to accommodate those who missed the event, continuing its mission to preserve local heritage.
Newport – Approximately 400 attendees came together at the historic Lido Theatre for a fundraising film screening on Saturday evening. The event, organized by the Balboa Island Museum, showcased the documentary “Newport and Me: Seymour Beek,” highlighting the life of Seymour Beek and the rich history of Newport that spans over 100 years.
The screening commenced at 6 p.m. following a welcome speech from museum board president John Conners. Attendees were greeted by theater manager Ines Gandal and Balboa Island Museum Executive Director Tiffany Pepys Hoey. Guests enjoyed a summer menu provided by restaurateur Dave Ursini, featuring grilled chicken skewers, barbecued sausages, assorted sliders, and a Southern barbecue chopped salad, served on the patio. Additionally, museum staff were on hand to serve wine to the guests.
Among the VIP guests were notable figures including Conners and his wife Diana, restaurateur Cynthia Shafer, media executive Dennis Bress, tech expert Clint Burns, and Newport Beach City Councilmember Robyn Grant. Other members of the museum board in attendance included Renee Pepys Lowe, Paula Castanon, Sue Sibley, and JoEllen Heck.
During the screening, approximately three-quarters of the way through the documentary, a technical glitch caused the film to stop unexpectedly, prompting the theater’s lights to come on. Many audience members mistook this for an intermission and left their seats to grab snacks. To keep the audience engaged during the disruption, Seymour Beek stood up to introduce himself and answered questions, including a lighthearted exchange with a young boy about Beek’s pet, humorously sharing that he has a girlfriend instead. This interaction was well-received, generating laughter and applause from the crowd.
Attendees expressed a strong interest in learning more about Newport’s history and showed eagerness to view the remaining portion of the documentary. The film, produced and directed by Celeste Dennerline and Ed Olen, had previously screened at the 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival prior to its showing at the Lido Theatre.
Following the event, the Balboa Island Museum announced plans to hold additional screenings of “Newport and Me: Seymour Beek” to accommodate those who were unable to attend the fundraiser. Final dates for these additional showings are yet to be determined and will be announced in the near future.
The Lido Theatre, a historic venue known for hosting various community events, served as an ideal backdrop for this cultural gathering, enfolding attendees in the nostalgic beauty of Newport while they enjoyed an enlightening documentary that celebrates local heritage.
The Balboa Island Museum continues its mission to preserve and promote the history of the area, providing community members and visitors with engaging opportunities to connect with and learn about their shared past.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Fundraising Event for Balboa Island Museum
- Google Search: Balboa Island Museum
- Newport Beach Indy: Lido Theater March Film Lineup
- Wikipedia: Lido Theatre
- Deadline: Reopening of the Lido Theatre
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lido Theater
- Variety: Newport Beach TV Fest 2025
- Google News: Newport Beach TV Fest
- OC Register: Lido Theater Restored
- Google Scholar: Lido Theater History
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
