A classic pair

Alex Coolman

She sauntered up to the fajita bar, making eyes at the handsome gentleman

by the nachos. A glass of wine, rich and red, glittered in her hand.

“On a night like this,” she said to the man, “I feel like listening to

beautiful music.”

The gentleman looked at her for a long moment, and then offered her a

single, crisp tortilla chip.

“So do I,” he responded. “So do I.”This is, perhaps, not quite the

scenario envisioned by the coordinators of Classic Encounters for

Singles, the preconcert parties held in conjunction with the performances

of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

On the other hand, some less melodramatic version of a meeting between

kindred spirits actually is the desired effect of the popular mixers,

which have been taking place for a dozen years. The event is designed to

bring together people whose interest in music predisposes them to form

meaningful connections -- romantic, platonic or otherwise.

On Wednesday, the second “encounter” of the season will take place at The

Westin South Coast Plaza before the performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto

and Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra at The Center. The event, like all

the preconcert parties, will feature live jazz, a no-host bar and an

enticing array of hors d’oeuvres -- in this case, a pasta bar, rather

than a fajita bar.

Classic Encounters attracts professionals whose average age is around 40

and uses a variety of ice-breaking exercises to loosen up whatever

inhibitions the crowd may have about mingling. “Twister” is not on the

agenda, but more genteel events like performing the parts of famous

couples from movies and history are frequently featured.

For the people who attend the events regularly, the possibility of a

romantic connection gives the evenings a slightly mysterious atmosphere.

But the opportunity simply to be in the company of other intelligent and

articulate music lovers is also attractive in itself.

Jack Downhill, who has worked in real estate since retiring from the Air

Force, comes to the parties all the way from Palos Verdes because he

enjoys the company of the people who attend them.

“It’s kind of a pleasant way of going to the symphony,” Downhill said.

“The fact that they’re single and I’m single makes it appropriate. But

they’re just interesting people. It really wouldn’t matter if they

weren’t single. They’re just interesting.”

Downhill said he considered music and dance fans “a breed unto

themselves” and appreciated the fact that Classical Encounters brought

together a crowd that had “a common thread of some kind of interest.”

Corona del Mar resident Dorcas Preston, who sings with the Pacific

Chorale and does volunteer work, had similar thoughts about the virtues

of the mixers, adding that she doesn’t attend them hoping to find the

love of her life.

“I love people,” she said. “I’m not necessarily there to find a man. I

just like people.”

Preston noted that the format of the event -- from the ice-breaking

exercises at the party to the seating arrangement at the concert, which

groups the attendees together -- provides a way for singles, especially

single women, to feel comfortable going out to cultural events without

accompaniment.

“I have a really interesting, good life,” Preston said. “I don’t really

need to be married. ... But I like to be with people. For me, it works.”

‘Classic Encounters for Singles’

WHERE: The Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday

HOW MUCH: $40

PHONE: (714) 755-5799