Good things come in threes

Unpredictable. Curvy. Dramatic. Those are the catchwords for the trio of soirees that will celebrate the opening of the new Walt Disney Concert Hall in October. Inspired by architect Frank O. Gehry’s undulating stainless steel structure at the corner of 1st and Grand, the galas for 2,000 people each on three consecutive nights -- two to be held in a transparent tent atop a parking structure across the street, and one in the hall -- are expected to raise upward of $3 million for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s inaugural season in its new home.

The rationale for three evenings of concerts and parties was the chance to “introduce people to the hall while crossing musical barriers,” says arts activist Ginny Mancini, chairwoman of all three galas.

“On the first night they’ll hear the tried-and-true classics. On the second, the new music of the 21st century. And on the third, we’ll honor the European composers who fled Nazi Germany to come to Hollywood and were hired by the film industry. And each gala will be different -- people won’t believe the transformations that have taken place,” she adds. “Guests will have three unique experiences.”

Mancini, a native Angeleno and widow of composer Henry Mancini, has chaired benefits such as the reopening of UCLA’s Royce Hall and a season opener for Los Angeles Opera. But she’s pinching herself over her leading role in the opening of what some say will be one of the world’s great concert halls. “This is the biggest thing to ever hit L.A.’s social scene,” she says. “When I was a kid, the biggest thing that happened to me was when I played hooky to watch the mayor cut the ribbon on Union Station. We’ve stepped up a bit.”

Thirty percent of the tickets have already been sold, at prices ranging from $125,000 for the Trio Package (10 tickets and primo seating for all three concerts and galas) to $500 per ticket for the Oct. 24 bash in the hall. Individual tickets for the Oct. 23 opening-night celebration are $1,500 each, with tables for 10 ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Tickets for the final gala on Oct. 25 are $1,000 each, with tables selling for $10,000 to $50,000.

The party designers have dreamed up eye-popping effects -- from light shows and fireworks displays set to music to sudden “reveals” of the surrounding metropolis. “Think of them as galas with a twist. With Frank Gehry nothing is predictable, and we want to incorporate those elements into all three evenings,” says Marianne Weiman-Nelson, a partner in Special Occasions of Los Angeles.Opening night, with its “Sonic LA” concert theme, will feature a pre-concert reception in the hall and gardens, and a post-performance black-tie celebration in the rooftop tent, where guests will dine on a menu by Joachim Splichal and dance to the sounds of Pink Martini. The decor will be autumn-toned, in shades ranging from apricot to burnt orange, cranberry to chocolate. “Remember, with Frank Gehry there are no lines. Each color palette will turn and flow into the next. We will even use color to help guests find their seats,” Weiman-Nelson says.

Gala Night 2 -- with the dress code a less formal “L.A. Chic” and the concert themed “Living LA” -- will showcase the hall and its gardens, with guests finding “a surprise at every curve,” Mancini says. “We’ll have food stations and different entertainment throughout the hall.”

On Gala Night 3, themed “Soundstage LA,” guests will again celebrate in the tent at a black-tie dinner dance featuring the Henry Mancini Institute Big Band. On this night, the decor will be Art Deco, in a salute to downtown’s architectural past. “Custom-made mirror chandeliers that will reflect the city are being created. The gala color scheme is blue, black, white and silver, and glass panels are being engraved and etched,” Weiman-Nelson says. “And don’t expect round [dinner] plates.”

Determined to be uniquely dressed at each affair, Mancini has been carrying around swatches of the Disney Hall upholstery -- a muted pattern in shades of pale green, orange and red -- in her search for gala gowns. “I thought it would be fun not to clash with the fabrics,” she says. “As special as the galas are going to be, I want to be equally glamorous.”