GUIDE ON THE TOWN

This spring,  nearly 600 Pacific Symphony 2007 Gala guests (sold out!) raised in excess of $1 million including a successful auction that brought in $280,500; $108,000 of the auction proceeds was pledged to “Fund-a-Need,” to benefit Orange County’s Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. Attendees of “Concert Royale” were ushered into a world of secret agents, sleek cars and classic martinis—where secrets and intrigue ruled the evening

Presented by the Symphony’s board chairman John Stahr, and co-chaired by the very imaginative Kate Peters and Doug Simao, the Symphony’s annual black-tie event honored the supporters of the Symphony and celebrated a new top secret program of interest to music lovers. The proceeds of this event will benefit the Symphony’s many educational and artistic programs, helping to ensure that tomorrow’s programs never die.

The evening began at 6 p.m., with guests arriving in formal attire or Bond-inspired costume (many “dressed to kill”) via a cactus-lined, blue-carpet walkway. They entered the brand-new, massive, modern glass-encased building and into a very glamorous 8,000-square-foot Monte Carlo-like casino. 

In the casino, decorated with concept cars, games included blackjack, poker, craps and roulette tables, and live entertainment began with the Mark Town Latin Jazz Ensemble; plus, there was a Tiffany booth with “100 boxes for $100” (one of which held diamond earrings determined by an electronic key card!), and a Spy-Fi Archives Museum with famous spy gadgets. Guests gambled, nibbled on appetizers (sushi and caviar) and enjoyed their cocktails shaken, not stirred—as the drama unfolded.

At 7 p.m., a giant safe door opened to allow guests into the stunning 10,000-square-foot black and white grand ballroom—via a fog-enshrouded virtual waterfall.

Meanwhile, in the ballroom, the tropical-style decor featured glass centerpieces—four-foot tall blue-light infused aquariums bearing plants, fish and river rocks—adorning the 48 tables. In the center was a dance floor, with a 21-piece Pacific Symphony orchestra playing Bond movie music.  A live auction ensued—with such high end items as a week at a private villa in Corsica overlooking the quiet fishing village of Propriano; a luxurious Bond Girl package featuring a spa day at Georgette Klinger; a Bvlgari evening bag; Valentino cocktail dress and designer shoes; Montblanc gold and diamond necklace; South Coast Plaza gift certificate and valet parking for one year.

Going into the evening, “Concert Royale” was already one of the most successful Galas in the Pacific Symphony’s history. In addition, this year the gala committee brought in at least 20 new corporate sponsors who contributed more than $200,000 in cash, merchandise and expertise. Leading the list were KIA Motors America, American Airlines, Bollinger Champagne, Citi Smith Barney, Tiffany & Co., Bauer Aston Martin and Carolina Herrera. Table levels for the Symphony’s 2007 Gala were: $100,000, $75,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $15,000; individual tickets were available at $750 per person.

It’s an annual event, so anyone who missed out this year can put it on their calendars for Orange County’s 2008 event.  Watch for information in Southern California Guide's Entertainment Section.

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