OCPAC solicits smaller donors

After raising $128.4 million in six years by privately soliciting big gifts from its board members, corporations and other high-rollers, the Orange County Performing Arts Center threw open to all comers on Friday its drive to fund a new concert hall. At a gathering outside the Cesar Pelli-designed venue in Costa Mesa, now 70% built, center chairman Michael Gordon announced that gifts of $1,000 to $25,000 will get the donor a brass nameplate on one of its 2,000 seats. He also said work is proceeding on schedule toward a Sept. 16, 2006 opening.