A Scientific Approach to Fund-Raisers

Suddenly, it’s at the top of every forward-thinking organization’s wish list: a night at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana.

Set to open in mid-December, the $23.5-million, 59,000-square-foot facility will be available after-hours for corporate parties, fund-raising galas, school proms--you name it.

“The center has a budget for 24 rental events per year and already, before we’ve even opened the doors, 16 events have been booked,” said James “Walkie” Ray of Corona del Mar, chairman of the center board. “The interest by other institutions in using the facility after normal working hours is absolutely off the [charts].”

For fees ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 a night--depending on the number of people and special activities selected for the event--an organization can have full use of the facility’s 86 hands-on exhibits. Exhibits include everything from lying on a bed of nails--to learn about the distribution of pressure--to stepping into a Shake Shack to experience the simulation of a major temblor. Other attractions: live science demonstrations, a nine-cube video wall, a 3-D laser theater and an outdoor PVC (polyvinyl chloride) maze.

Proceeds from the facility rentals will go toward defraying the nonprofit center’s annual operating costs, estimated at $3.5 million, Ray said. Other sources of center income: annual revenue estimated at about $1.8 million from admission costs ($8 for adults, $6 for children and seniors) and “philanthropy or grants,” Ray said.

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“This is going to be one of the only places in Orange County where you can get 1,000 people under one roof for an event,” said Karen Johnson, center president. “And here, the entertainment is built in, and the party decor is easy. It’s a beautiful setting. We call it ‘Science, Southern California-style.’ ”

The building’s exterior is painted in shades of sand, ecru and adobe--”representing the striations of the earth,” Johnson explained.

Inside, on the first-floor level--where the natural science exhibits will be housed--the color scheme will feature blue, green and sand tones. Upstairs, site of the air and space exhibits, the clear “blue of the sky” will predominate, Johnson said. “It’s not only going to be beautiful, it’s going to be great fun.”

About 650 center supporters will attend the facility’s inaugural gala Oct. 10, chaired by Catherine Thyen of Corona del Mar.

Net proceeds of about $150,000 are expected from the science center benefit--dubbed an “Astronomical Affair.” Featured will be a courtyard reception, ribbon-cutting, sit-down dinner, dancing and “interactive science experiences,” Thyen said.

“The center will be more or less finished by the time of the gala,” Thyen said, “but not all of the exhibits will be in place. We need until December to accomplish that.”

A series of opening-week events also will be open to the public. Information: (714) 540-2001.

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Sneak Peek: Supporters of the California Mission Heritage Pageant gathered at the Oaks/Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park on Saturday for a sit-down dinner and a preview of the pageant’s first scene: a diplomatic ball held in 1768 at the winter palace of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.

Dancers from the Anaheim Ballet Company portrayed the historic event, in which Catherine made known her desire to expand her conquests to North America. Catherine’s announcement stimulated the Spanish expeditions to California that led to Father Junipero Serra’s missionary work, explained Harvey A. Smith, president of the Mission Heritage Foundation. “The Spanish ambassador [at the ball] rushed back to King Carlos III to warn him. Catherine lit the fire that got the colonization of California going.”

About 200 guests dined on cold borscht soup, tapas and chili-flavored chicken--”a menu representing each country involved in that bit of history,” Smith said.

Proceeds from the pageant--scheduled to open at the Mission Viejo Riding Park next August--will go toward the preservation and restoration of Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Serving as honorary co-chairs of the pageant are Gayle Wilson, Ricardo Montalban and Joan Irvine Smith.

Information: (949) 699-1989.