RSVP Calendar: Perot Museum Travels to the Future With Night at the Museum: World of Tomorrow Gala

A robot bartender, a neon-lit time traveler, molecular gastronomical delights, virtual reality demos and 3D printing, and a Tesla packed with champagne were just a few of the highlights from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s Night at the Museum: World of Tomorrow gala held Nov. 15. Despite the chilly drizzle, over 1,000 grown-ups “came out to play” as the Museum celebrated its 2nd birthday with a night of futuristic fun exploring endless possibilities for travel and transportation, the field of medicine, art and fashion, and more.

Winter décor at the Perot Museum

Honorary co-chairs Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones were on hand for the festivities overseen by event co-chairs Emily and David Corrigan and Carol and John Levy. Also attending were Lyda Hill, Lynn and Alan McBee, Mary McDermott Cook, Sally and Forrest Hoglund, and many of the Perot family members, including Ross Perot who led the VIP reception attendees in a hearty “hip hip hooray.”

Back row from left to right - Meegan Flanigan, Chris Flanigan and Brandon Cotter
Front row from left to right - Amy Cotter, LL Cotter, Ka Cotter, Leslie McCabe, Randy McCabe

Technology and innovation were found in every corner with everything from up-close demonstrations of a state-of-the-art robotic surgical system and interactions with robots of all sizes, to medical marvels such as futuristic orthotics and artificial muscles.

Byron Neuhoff, Amanda Neuhoff, Rod Jones, Nancy Perot

The night of discovery and thrills was topped off with an array of tantalizing bites provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering and dancing to popular live band, Professor D. (The complimentary flip-flops were a welcome sight for those with weary toes!)

Christi Perry, Bethany Huddleston

“Our guests had the opportunity to witness some amazing advancements in science in everything from travel and medicine, to art and fashion,” said Colleen Walker, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum. “And while it was a fun-filled night where the ‘grown ups’ had the Perot Museum all to themselves, the highpoint was knowing we’re raising considerable funds to not only expand our financial assistance to schoolchildren and needy families but to further develop our outreach programs.”

Clarissa Kelly Hunter, Courtney Hunter

Lead commitments included $100,000 Planet-level contributions from Margot and Ross Perot and Lyda Hill; $50,000 Dinosaur-level contributions from Balfour Beatty Construction, Highland Capital Management and The Hoglund Foundation; and $25,000 Turbine-level commitments from Carol and John Levy, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Suzanne and Patrick McGee, Ruth Mutch, Rod Jones and Nancy Perot, Katherine and Mike Phillips, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, and Katherine and Eric Reeves.

Elaine Blacker, Robby Blacker

The $12,500 Turbine-level supporters are Pat & Jane Bolin; Emily and David Corrigan; Ka and LL Cotter; Al G. Hill, Jr.; Rusty and John Jaggers; Palo Verde Oil; Pioneer Natural Resources; Catherine and Will Rose; The Rosewood Corporation; Jennifer and Andy Scripps; Gail and Jim Spann; and Jean and Tom Walter.

Ross Mulford, Tori Richard, Lauren Meyer, Finley Ewing

Proceeds from the annual Night at the Museum gala will support the Museum’s mission to inspire minds through nature and science, from on-site and outreach programs for pre-K through 12th graders, to financial assistance that allows students to visit the Museum regardless of their school’s ability to pay. Underwriting contributions also enable the Museum to continue ongoing research and collections management and to bring engaging traveling exhibitions to the Museum.