Orchestra Celebrates a Record Deal

Musicians and music buffs gathered for a champagne reception on Tuesday night at the Virgin Megastore in Costa Mesa to celebrate the release of the Pacific Symphony’s new compact disc on the KOCH International label.

Said longtime orchestra supporter Marcy Mulville: “The CD is a wonderful thing for us. It will help people acknowledge who we are, introduce them to our marvelous musicians and the kind of music we are giving to Orange County.”

Texas-born Carl St.Clair, sporting snakeskin boots and a graying crop of long hair, mingled with the orchestra’s composer in residence, Frank Ticheli, and Mark Johnson, who helped underwrite the CD with a donation of $50,000, next to a rack stocked with the CDs.

“We didn’t play it safe with this project,” St.Clair said, smiling. “This CD put everybody on the line. Technically, it demanded virtuosity from everyone.”

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“Field of Dreams” Party: Two-time Grammy winner Michael Bolton will join San Francisco Giants superstar Barry Bonds on Oct. 10 at the Villa Nova restaurant in Newport Beach to announce plans for their first “Field of Dreams Awards” gala set for Nov. 6 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Bonds Family Foundation, which serves underprivileged children, and the Michael Bolton Foundation, which assists children and women at risk, will benefit from the awards ceremony, which will honor distinguished members of the entertainment and sports fields.

To attend the $150-per-person announcement bash, which will begin with a silent auction at the Village Crean in Newport Beach, call (714) 642-1865.

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Harley first: More than 1,000 Harley riders from five locations throughout Southern California, including Santa Ana, will participate in “Harleys for the Homeless,” a motorcycle ride to Whiskey Pete’s Hotel in Stateline, Nev., that revs up Sept. 30.

Proceeds from the first-ever event will benefit HomeAid Orange County, a nonprofit organization in Irvine that builds and renovates shelters for the homeless.

Entry fee per bike is $35, with $15 for an additional passenger. Weekend festivities at Whiskey Pete’s will include live entertainment by Blood Sweat & Tears and an awards presentation. Sponsors include Taco Bell and the Hard Rock Cafe of Newport Beach.

For information, call (714) 553-9510.

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YWCA celebrates 70th: The YWCA South Orange County celebrates its 70th birthday this year with “Paving the Way for Others: Women Helping Women,” a professional women’s summit and luncheon Sept. 23 at 11:30 a.m.

A panel discussion at the Center Club event features Judith Sweeney, president of The Times Orange County and Julie Newcomb Hill, president and CEO of Costain Homes Inc. Each panelist will discuss her philosophy of community volunteerism and how she has balanced it with work and family. For information, call (714) 960-1265.

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Oops: The Chanel celebration on Nov. 5 that will honor the educational outreach programs of South Coast Repertory, Opera Pacific and the Pacific Symphony is $75 per person. The incorrect amount was published in last week’s column. Also, a caption that ran with the column last Thursday identified those pictured as Barbara and Bill Roberts, when it was actually Bobbi and Bill Stabler. For information on the Chanel event, call (714) 754-7455.