Tina Fey, Maroon 5 and More Join AMNH's 2012 Gala Tonight, 11/15

The 2012 Museum Gala will take place at the American Museum of Natural History tonight, November 15, with more than 600 guests expected to attend this year's event. As the institution's largest annual fundraising event, the Museum Gala helps advance its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.

Following cocktails in the recently restored Roosevelt Rotunda, guests will enjoy a dinner menu created by Mario Batali and a performance by Maroon 5 in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. The event will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Tina Fey.

An auction of extraordinary prizes will be conducted by Jamie Niven of Sotheby's. The auction will highlight some of the best private experiences the Museum has to offer, including:

· A private astronomy lesson in the Hayden Planetarium and dinner (for 10) with renowned Astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson

· Front row seats (for 25) to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the Museum entrance steps, along with a private breakfast in the Roosevelt Rotunda under the famous Barosaurus and Allosaurus dinosaurs

· An "Ultimate Foodie Experience" - private dinner (for 10) in the Museum's new exhibition Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture with curator Dr. Mark Norell

All Museum Gala attendees will be encouraged to make a donation supporting AMNH public school visits, which help the Museum open its doors to underserved children across the five boroughs of New York City.

Museum Gala chair are longtime Museum supporters Jodie and John Eastman, Tom Freston, and Alice and Lorne Michaels. This evening is presented by Graff Diamonds.

For tickets and information, contact the Department of Development 212-769-5932 or email csafran@amnh.org.