The Pacific Symphony hosted a 114-guest sophisticated Oktoberest, which featured premier breweries and top wineries from California to Germany. The Hotel Irvine was transformed into an outdoor Bavarian biergarten, complete with a premier polka band. Austrian-born and trained Executive Chef Michael Beck offered a delicious German dinner with curated wines in the ballroom. Net proceeds of $142,000 benefited symphony programs. Photography John Watkins
Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte, right, with his wife Michele Forsyte 
Dr. Greg Bates and Joann Leatherby, Pacific Symphony Board Chair 
David and Rosie Kramer with Nemie and Brian Pollack, event co-chair
Jacqueline Kerr and her father Mike Kerr, event co-chair, and Jenny Backhaus 
Ling and board member Charlie Zhang 
Rick and board member Pat McAuley, board member Jo Ellen Chatham, Director of Nixon Library Mike Ellzey, 
Longtime supporters Wendy and Fred Salter 
California’s premier polka-variety band, West Coast Prost, festively attired in lederhosen and Alpine hats