Miami Science Museum’s Galaxy Gala & Big Bang Events Were an “Out of This World” Experience

The annual events drew a huge crowd in support of this week’s museum groundbreaking

More than 800 of Miami’s science-savvy socialites gathered in support of the Miami Science Museum’s annual Galaxy Gala & Big Bang events on Saturday, February 18th, to kickoff a weeklong celebration of groundbreaking festivities for the new waterfront museum project. The museum’s signature events, held at the JW Marriott Marquis & Hotel Beaux Arts in Downtown Miami, featured galactic-themed décor, a seated three-course dinner, live music, dancing, performance artists and a laser entertainment experience—all to benefit the new Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

"The 10th Anniversary of the Gala represents a great milestone in the Miami Science Museum's history as we prepare to break ground on our world class facility," says Gillian Thomas, Miami Science Museum President & CEO. "This is a time to celebrate the new museum and the benefits it will bring to our children and community for years to come."

Chaired by Nancy & Jonathan Batchelor and Nicole & Edgar Lozano, this year’s Gala honored important community leaders including: David Lawrence who received the Vanguard Award; Walter Revell who received the Miami Science Museum Award; and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation who was presented with the Visionary Award. This is also the first time the Big Bang, a high-energy dance party designed to integrate young professionals into the event, merged with the Museum’s Galaxy Gala, which is celebrating its 10th year. The 10th Anniversary Honorary Chair was the Batchelor Foundation and the Philanthropic Chairs were Trish and Dan Bell. The Big Bang was chaired by Izzy Havenick.

Evening highlights included emcee Natalie Allen from CNN, live entertainment by Soul Survivors & DJ Mark Leventhal, a silent auction, live animal interactions, and an open bar compliments of Bacardi. Major event sponsors were Suffolk Construction, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Magic City Casino, Saks 5th Avenue, Southern Wine & Spirits and Azucar Bakery.

With this Friday’s scheduled Groundbreaking Ceremony fast approaching, right now all eyes are on the downtown waterfront corridor, soon to become Museum Park and the new home of The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

Real estate expert and Gala Co-Chair Nancy Batchelor is excited about the impact the new Miami Science Museum will have on the downtown community. "The new science museum is the cornerstone of Miami's downtown renaissance,” says Batchelor. “It is central to the efforts to strengthen greater Miami's momentum as an emerging global capital."

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science takes place this Friday, February 24th at Bicentennial Park on the new Museum grounds (1075 Biscayne Boulevard). The ceremony begins at 10:30am.