For Opening, They'll Pray-- Then Party

It is a place of worship, but when the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels opens next month, its grounds will become a place to party. At two social events--one formal, one less so--Catholics and non-Catholics will gather on its 2.5-acre Grand Plaza to celebrate what billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad calls another "jewel in the crown of Grand Avenue."

Along with a dedication Mass on Sept. 2 and an ecumenical prayer service on Sept. 4, two fund-raising galas on Sept. 7 are what remain of a larger initial plan to celebrate the opening with 16 events. "We canceled them for economic reasons--we were a little ambitious in our original thinking," said William M. Close, vice president of the cathedral advisory board and gala co-chairman. (The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has curbed spending in many areas in response to stock market losses. The prospect of future settlements in sexual abuse cases is also a concern.)

After the celebrations were scaled back, efforts were focused on drawing guests from the community at large to the opening-week activities.

Partygoers on Sept. 7 will be wined and dined and, among other activities, explore the cathedral's main terrace with its pool and cascading waterfall by Lita Albuquerque; pass through the 5-ton bronze cathedral doors cast by sculptor Robert Graham; and view the muted tapestries of painter John Nava.

They will also hear a demonstration of the cathedral's 6,000-plus pipe organ, with its ranks of horizontally mounted trumpets. "We want to show it off--demonstrate that it's not only for religious music, but for many other types of music," said Phyllis Hennigan, cathedral donor and gala co-chairwoman. Bach--but not pop--is on the playlist. "This is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the cathedral and learn about the ways they can use it--spiritually or socially--in their lives," she said.

Twelve hundred tickets--a sellout--ranging from $1,000 per person to $25,000 for a table for 10 have been purchased for the black-tie gala that aims to net $1.5 million for the cathedral's community outreach programs.

For those who purchased tables at the $25,000 level, there is a social bonus: a private dinner hosted by Broad and his wife, Edythe, on Sept. 3 at the California Club. It Will be attended by Cardinal Roger Mahony, cathedral architect Jose Rafael Moneo and cathedral artists, including Graham and Nava. "I wanted to have this dinner because it's time to celebrate the fact that we have artists involved in a great piece of architecture," Broad said.