THE CROWD:Not-so-corporate events refreshed

The latest trend in society balls is to host the event in a corporate building.

The Ford Motor Co.’s Orange County headquarters in Irvine recently was transformed for The Pink Tie Ball benefiting The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Then, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra threw its 2007 gala — Concert Royale — at the KIA Motors America Corporate Campus in Irvine. The symphony gala also happened to coincide with the debut of the building to the public.

The trend has advantages — and challenges. The local crowd is treated to a new experience, a different venue instead of the familiar hotel setting. The organizers have their work cut out as everything — and I mean everything — must be brought in for the event. Everything means everything. The 2007 Symphony Gala was co-chaired by Kate Peters and Doug Simao, and the pair worked tirelessly to create a smash success.

The party theme was “007.” Guests first walked down a velvet blue carpet runway into a glittering Monte Carlo casino, then into dinner through a massive safe door revealing a stunning ballroom of black and white décor.

The ballroom was accented by a fog-shrouded virtual waterfall, fabric-draped, back-lit walls and four foot-tall blue-light infused aquariums with live fish as centerpieces in some 50 tables, the party was a visual showstopper.

Dinner was brought in, catered by the Hyatt Regency Irvine under the direction of Chef Greg Growbowski. Patrons, donating $750 per ticket and much more (some tables of 10 sold for $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000) were raving about the multicourse meal and its artful presentation. Guests were treated to scaramanga salad, miso salmon over jasmine rice salad, togarashi marinated filet mignon and a delectable variety of desserts.

Welcoming about 600 patrons in chic summer black tie and ball gowns was symphony board chair John Stahr with his wife Elizabeth. Ticket sales, underwriting and auction proceeds brought the net amount raised to more than $1 million.

The auction alone contributed $208,500 to the million-dollar mark. Organizers noted that $108,000 of the auction proceeds will be donated directly to a symphony program known as “Fund-a-Need,” which benefits the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Major corporate sponsorship was evident at the affair. The luxury lifestyle lines of Tiffany & Co. and Carolina Herrera were front and center. Bauer Aston Martin, Bollinger Champagne, Citi Smith Barney, American Airlines, and host KIA Motors also were visible, contributing more than $200,000 in underwriting and merchandise to the event.

Committee members very deserving of praise included Carol Lee, Mike Lowther, Janice Smith, Michele Mun, Ellie Gordon, Ruth Ann Evans, Daniel Brondi, Darrellyn Melilli, Sandy Daniels and Jim Medvitz.

Principal donors were Newport’s John and Sandra Segerstrom Daniels, Jane and Jim Driscoll and Sally Segerstrom.

On hand for the festivities were Conductor Carl St. Clair and his wife Susan, and PSO president John Forsyte.