THE CROWD:Party continues at performing arts center

The opening night celebration at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts last Friday was only the beginning of a weekend filled with music, inaugurating the new center in Costa Mesa.

Last Saturday evening, the Pacific Symphony — led by maestro Carl St. Clair — continued the magical opening extravaganza, welcoming another 2,000 patrons to witness the milestone opening of the expanded performing arts center.

The second night of champagne and music was billed as “Reverberations,” for the new hall surely comes alive with the sound of orchestral music. Underwritten by Deutsche Bank, the evening began with a lavish reception in the arts plaza.

The entire party was chaired by a trio of talented women: Ellie Gordon, Lynn Freeman and Sandy Segerstrom Daniels all working closely with overall weekend opening event chair Elizabeth Segerstrom. The gala was both chatty and social, as well as serious — musically speaking.

As patrons experienced the wonder of the concert hall following the al fresco champagne reception, the excitement reached a crescendo as violinist Midori came on stage, joining St. Clair and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

The program also featured the Pacific Chorale, joined by soloists Cynthia Haymon-Coleman, Christopher Nomura and Nathan Berg.

Post concert, a second night of lavish celebrating unfolded as the entire center was transformed into a multi-level event of grand proportions.

An urban street party with a contemporary nightclub feel took over one area.

On an upper tier of the performing arts center, yet another event unfolded. Patrons dined and mingled into the late-night hours.

Major donors supporting the Pacific Symphony Orchestra were Patricia Beckman, Arlene Chang, UCI Chancellor Michael Drake, Catherine and James Emmi, Janice Johnson, Donald and Dorothy Kennedy, Phillip and Mary Lyons, Marilyn and Thomas Nielsen, Elizabeth and John Stahr, and Valerie and Richard Wahler.

Also front and center for the orchestra were Suzanne and David Chonette, Vesta Curry, John and Sandy Daniels, Joyce and Randall Hanson, William Gillespie, Anne Key, Mary Moore, Stacey Nicholas, Elizabeth Colyear Vincent and Susan and Carl St. Clair.