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The Event: Big Toys for Big Boys, a benefit for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra League, featured exotic cars, martinis and swing. The event, which included a buffet dinner and auction, took place Sunday at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin.

A guy thing: About 250 guests--nearly half of them men--roamed around the museum admiring ultra-rare Ferraris, Mustangs and race cars from the Marconi collection. Some sipped martinis and danced to Doc Anello and the Swing Machine.

This was a first “Big Toys” gala for the league, which was seeking a change from fund-raising luncheons and a way to honor dads before Father’s Day.

“We’ve never done an event for the men in our lives,” said Elaine Vanderpool, event chairwoman. “We hope this gets bigger and bigger.”

League of women: The Pacific Symphony Orchestra League has about 100 members, many of them professional women, who are dedicated to supporting music education for Orange County children. The league raises funds for a variety of programs, including Class Act, an orchestra education partnership in 20 elementary schools. Members also provide volunteers for the orchestra’s Youth Concerts at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Quote: “A few years ago, music programs were pulled from the schools, and we all know that music makes a definite impact on children’s intellect,” said Claire Burt, event co-chairwoman. “The league felt we had to pick up the slack and support music education.”

Faces: John Forsyte, executive director of the Pacific Symphony; Birthe Burnett, league president; Richard and Patricia Bonadio, honorary co-chairmen; Carl St.Clair, music director of the orchestra; Karl Bergstrom; Vesta Curry; Maclay Burt; Felicia Bukaty; James Emmi; Kevin Crysler; Larry and Margaret Gates; Lowell and Katie Anderson; Ted and Janice Smith; Warren and Dorothy Lortie; Damien and Yvonne Jordan; John and Elizabeth Stahr; Herbert and Jean Fox; and Gene Widdicombe.

Bottom line: The gala was expected to net about $65,000 for the Pacific Symphony’s music education programs.

What’s Ahead: The 1999-2000 Mervyn’s Musical Mornings, a concert series beginning Oct. 16 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center for children ages 4 to 13 and their families. Call (714) 755-5799.