'Rock 'n Roll with Rally' on Sept. 27 to raise funds for Arts in the Park and more

FALLBROOK – Rally for Children's annual fundraiser will take place this year at Pala Mesa Resort on Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Back by popular demand will be a repeat of the 50s-60s "Rock 'n Roll with Rally" theme.

Trendy diner food, hula hoop and costume contests, raffles, and silent auction items will be part of the fun. A big part of the evening will be the favorite oldies from that era, part of the "Hot Pursuit" band's play list.

Attendees are already submitting songs from their nostalgic past. So far, requests from members have brought back some lively memories. Fundraiser co-chair Donna Reisbeck-Stower is requesting "Donna." She recalls breaking up with her sixth grade boyfriend. The ditched boy reluctantly gave his recording of the song to her new guy saying, "I guess I won't be needing this anymore." Co-chair Robin Parker loves "Rockin' Robin," but insists the song came out before she was born.

Past Rally president Louise Small has "Pink Cadillac" as her special song, remembering her first driving experience in her parent's actual pink Cadillac. With a new driving permit and parents out of town, she and friends took the convertible out for a spin. The group ended up in the middle of a neighbor's water balloon fight, soaking the car. The girls tried drying the seats with hair dryers without much success. Her parents suspended her driving for six months.

Founding Rally member Susie Murphy has a scrapbook of memories growing up in Newport Beach. "Waterskiing in the Back Bay, cruising Easter week, surfing at the beach, and dancing to Dick Dale and the Del-Tones at the Rendezvous Ballroom," said Murphy. "My three best friends were all named Sue, so the high school band always played "Run Around Sue" by Dion and the Belmonts at our dance parties," she said. "It was the best of times."

More song requests from those attending should be emailed to [email protected]. To order tickets for the "Rock 'n Roll" fundraiser, visit www.rallyforchildren.org and pay with Paypal or credit card. Tickets are $65/person and the money goes to support the annual Arts in the Park event in April and also to help the many non-profit groups that support children in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area.