Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served at a VIP gala at Walt Disney Concert Hall before Gustavo Dudamel’s inaugural performance as the L.A. Philharmonic’s new music director. (Christina House / For The Times)
Joni Smith, right, and gala committee member Alyce Williamson chat during the cocktail hour. Williamson called Dudamel “a passionate dude.” (Christina House / For The Times)
Concertgoers mingle at the gala. Nearly 1,000 people bought tickets to the VIP cocktails and dinner event, which started at $2,500. (Christina House / For The Times)
Actress Constance Towers, right, wears an eye-catching dress to the concert. (Christina House / For The Times)
Trays of cocktails await guests at the concert dinner party. (Christina House / For The Times)
Gustavo Dudamel gets a warm welcome at the dinner party. (Christina House / For The Times)
Gustavo Dudamel’s wife Eloisa Maturen, from left, is shown with L.A. Philharmonic President Deborah Borda and actress Rita Wilson. (Christina House / For The Times)
Performers warm up outside Disney Hall before the dinner party in honor of Dudamel’s inaugural concert. (Christina House / For The Times)
Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson, Sony CEO Howard Stringer and Gustavo Dudamel at the dinner party. (Christina House / For The Times)
Bradley Bell, left, and Liane Weintraub take in the lavish scene at the dinner party outside of Disney Hall. (Christina House / For The Times)
Bright colors and city lights set the mood at Disney Hall. (Christina House / For The Times)
David Bohnett, chairman of the gala, L.A. Phil President Deborah Borda, Gustavo Dudamel and his wife, Eloisa Maturen, take the stage at a post-concert gathering. (Christina House / For The Times)
Gustavo Dudamel chats up Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Deborah Borda during the dinner party. (Christina House / For The Times)
Gustavo Dudamel and Eloisa Maturen dance the night away. (Christina House / For The Times)
