‘California Dreams’ raises $750K for music

B.W. COOK

What a party! The Orange County Pacific Symphony threw the gala of

the season, raising more than $750,000 for music education programs

in Orange County. Organizers billed the black-tie dinner dance as

“California Dreams” and appropriately transformed the cavernous Hyatt

Regency Irvine ballroom into a nostalgic time warp, complete with

pristine 1950s automobiles; giant screens displaying images of an

earlier, simpler time; and just to achieve the proper aroma of the

citrus groves that once were all of the O.C., crates of fresh

oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes.

The tremendous effort was orchestrated by Linda Elftmann, Ruth Ann

Evans and Valerie Imhof. They pulled out all the stops in conjunction

with Chris Medvitz, who was in charge of the event production and

lighting design. A master dream team produced a party to remember.

Tables covered in tangerine silk and set with artistic tableware

were centered with verdant displays of California produce and

flowers. Each centerpiece was a work of art and labor of love, mixing

artichokes, roses and more. A raised dance floor centered the room,

so guests sitting at their tables watched all the action elevated

above them. It was a stroke of party-planning genius -- everyone got

involved. Ruth Ann and John Evans’ son Dan Evans was a classy master

of ceremonies, keeping the party moving -- from dining to dancing to

speeches. Musical interludes from a variety of performances around

the ballroom included featured entertainers Sha Na Na. Even the

auction was conducted like entertainment. Guests bid high on

everything from a night at Disneyland with a special backstage tour

to a spectacular trip to Europe next year along with the Pacific

Symphony.

An exceptional dinner was prepared and served by executive chef

Fritz Doss and executive sous chef Felix Nappoly of the Hyatt Regency

staff. A Peking duck appetizer with tangerine hoisin sauce began the

meal, followed by a soup of chilled -- ice cold -- San Joaquin Valley

green apple and celery root with cinnamon and fried carrots. Emeril

would have been proud. Soup spoons were clinging and chiming all

around the ballroom. Throughout dinner service, entertainment --

including the Flyin’ Lindy Hoppers, a troupe of swinging dancers, and

musical interludes by celebrated members of the Pacific Symphony --

kept the energy of the party at pitch. Major donors of the evening

were Sandy and John Daniels; Susie and Steve Perry; Sally Segerstrom;

Rae and Ted Segerstrom; David Doyle; Roberta and Howard Ahmanson; and

Linda and Kris Elftmann. Significant support also came from Barbara

and Mark Johnson; Yvonne and Darrien Jordan; Mary and Phillip Lyons;

and Ellie and Mike Gordon, to name a few.

During the serving of the main course -- wild mushroom-stuffed

filet of beef, paired with pancetta wrapped Monterey monkfish --

Pacific Symphony board chairman John Stahr made a tribute to the work

of the community in support of the symphony and conductor Carl St.

Clair. Stahr’s wife Elizabeth; Catherine and Jim Emmi; and Tiffany &

Co.’s Jeff and Barbara Bennett applauded the growth and success of

the symphony.

A Valencia praline orange tart was presented for dessert as St.

Clair honored the financial and emotional support of the children of

the late Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom, announcing a record $5-million

gift to the symphony, the largest in its history. The generous

contribution will endow its Pops Conductor’s Chair and underwrite the

Classic Series for the next five years.

It wasn’t just the food, the dancing or the decor that made this

event a success. The ingredient of magic was that the crowd wanted to

be a part of the California Dream gala. This party was not another

black-tie obligation; it was a joy for more than 500 patrons who

kicked up their heels for a cause they promote all year long. While

somewhat gushing, it would be appropriate to say that these revelers

had music in their hearts, and more importantly, they wanted to come

together as friends and comrades, to make a difference in the O.C.,

at least musically speaking.

And make a difference they did. In the crowd were P.J. and Bill

Burke; Pat Beckman; Vesta Curry; Reta and Gordan Fishman; Symphony

boss John Forsyte and Michelle Moe; Pam and Walter Hagstrom; Pops

conductor Richard Kaufman and Gayle Kaufman; Patricia and Robert

Marshall; Suki and Randall McCardle; Pat and Bill Podlich; Patrice

Poidmore; and Blair and Mike Treska.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.