Miami, FL – May 6, 2017 – The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and its Board of Trustees celebrated its grand opening event and fundraiser, A Celebration of Science, raising over $1.2 million in support of the museum’s exhibitions and programs. The sold-out fundraiser brought together over 750 notable guests commemorating the opening of the new, state-of-the-art campus in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park and honored South Florida’s only planetarium, aquarium and science museum. The celebration kicked off in the museum’s Aquarium with live music by the Frost School of Music, curated by Shelton Glen “Shelly” Berg, Dean of the Frost School of Music, and creative libations provided by Castle Brands. Frost Science Executive Chef Tony Tehro created culinary delights, including blinis and caviar, crab cakes, cured wild salmon, duck spring rolls and a station of Tuna Poke, corvina ceviche and piquillo peppers. After exploring the three-level Aquarium, guests made their way to the Baptist Health South Florida Gallery for welcome remarks by Frost Science President, Frank Steslow; Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost; Frost Science Board Chairman, Cesar L. Alvarez, and Smithsonian Institution Acting Provost Acting Provost & Under Secretary for Museums and Research, Dr. Richard Kurin.

The evening continued with an elegant dinner reception, held in the Hsiao Family Special Exhibition Gallery and the Frost Planetarium. Guests were wowed as they entered a space adorned with centerpieces meant to appear as comets floating across the tables; an overhead installation of showering bubbles; a scheme of polished, stainless spheres that mimicked light at water’s surface; and “crystals” inspired by real underground caves. Guest dined on savory selections including Wagyu flat iron, roasted amberjack and wild mushroom dishes. After dinner, party-goers enjoyed dancing with tunes by DJ Mau and Gypsy Lane Band and enjoyed coffee by Aroma Espresso.