American Museum of Natural History Announces Schedule of Events for Fall 2015

The American Museum of Natural History will be kicking off its 2015-2016 social season in October with the annual Family Party, a favorite event of children and parents alike. Other highlights of the coming year will include the Museum Gala and a range of fun gatherings for young professionals. Highlights include:

FAMILY PARTY - Wednesday, October 21
On Wednesday, October 21, from 5 to 7:30 pm, the 22nd Annual Family Party-one of the Museum's best-loved traditions-features educational activities and entertainment for children of all ages. Children will have the opportunity to interact with live animals, look into microscopes, and explore the Family Party's "Museum Science Center," with opportunities to meet Museum scientists and learn about their ongoing work through hands-on activities and much more.

The 2015 Family Party Chairmen are Claire Bernard, Stephanie Coleman, Elizabeth Eginton and Chris Davis, Sloan Greenspan, Amy Griffin, Melissa and Carney Hawks, Kim and Greg Lippmann, Joella Lykouretzos, Melissa Meister, Rebekah Mercer, Allison Mignone, Jacqueline Sackler, and Miriam Wermelt.

This year's Family Party is generously sponsored by Tiffany & Co.

Individual tickets are $85 for children and $175 for adults; ticket packages are also available. For event and ticket information, those interested can call 212-769-5165 or email familyparty@amnh.org. Proceeds from the evening help support the Museum's educational and scientific programming.

MUSEUM GALA - Thursday, November 19
The highlight of the fall season, the much-anticipated Museum Gala will be held on Thursday, November 19, from 7 to 10:30 pm. Over 700 guests are expected to attend this year's dazzling gala. The evening begins with cocktails in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, followed by dinner and a live performance in the Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life as well as a fabulous live auction of extraordinary items.

Proceeds from the evening help support the Museum's educational and scientific programming. For more information call 212-769-5932.

JUNIOR COUNCIL EVENTS
All Junior Council events include special viewings of Museum exhibitions or films, a discussion by Museum scientists, and a cocktail reception.

The Junior Council kicks off its 2015-2016 season on Thursday, October 15, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, with a private screening of the giant-screen film Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean 3D and a cocktail reception. Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of ocean pioneer Jacques Cousteau, and marine biologist Holly Lohuis take viewers on a breathtaking journey examining some of the oceans' tiniest creatures, from echinoderms to fishes to shrimp. Cousteau invites the audience to dive into a whole new world that will leave them in awe of the beauty and diversity of the oceans, hopefully inspiring a strong desire to protect what they have seen.

In February 2016, the season continues with a Valentine's Day reception. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, followed by a special program, "Romance Stories from the Night Sky," in the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater.

The season concludes with a special event in June 2016from 6:30 to 9:30 pm,which will feature a panel discussion followed by a cocktail reception and live jazz on the Arthur Ross Terrace.

Tickets to each event are $100 in advance or $125 at the door. For reservations or information on joining the Junior Council, please call 212-769-5986 or email jcmembership@amnh.org. Proceeds from each event help support the Museum's educational and scientific programming.