Wild Perot Party Makes the Museum Come to Life at Night: Models in Bodysuits, Outdoor Maze and Earthquake Simulator Keep It Shaking

No dinosaurs or mischievous monkeys came to life during the Perot Museum of Nature and Science‘s sixth annual Night at the Museum Gala, but many mysterious oddities ranging from invisible ink and augmented reality to optical illusions and 3D holograms were uncovered throughout the five-level institution.

Themed “Intrigue,” the after-hours soirée drew nearly 1,000 science enthusiasts and education patrons. First, VIPs convened for a pre-party in the Children’s Museum, which was transformed into a Sherlock Holmes-inspired lounge dubbed “The Vault.” Later, those arriving for the main event were lured through an outdoor maze — where models clad in mirror body suits motioned obscurely — before being escorted inside.

Cocktails in hand, guests meandered through the halls of each of the Perot’s floors, stopping by interactive and enigmatic stations featuring the aforementioned activities, plus lipstick print readings, lie detector tests, magic wands, a blindfolded food challenge, and fingerprinting and DNA analysis. (The best thing about this event is, undoubtedly, the ability to move through the museum at your own pace.)

Also stationed throughout the museum were various culinary offerings: 48-hour beef short ribs, pimento cheese pretzels, braised chicken and chestnut pot pies, blinis with smoked salmon and dill crème fraîche, prawn cocktails, crispy quail confit, et al. However, the tastiest came by way of the gnocchetti with black truffles and Parmesan cheese, found on the third floor in the gems and minerals hall. Is there anything better than truffles?

Many familiar faces were spotted in the crowds, including the fascinating Perot Museum CEO Dr. Linda Abraham-Silver, whom PaperCity profiled in its July/August 2017 issue. Abraham-Silver began her post in July, following an impressive run working for the Abu Dhabi government.

After exploring each floor — and making a quick stop to test the earthquake simulator (which is great fun both pre- and post-cocktails) — revelers gathered in the main lobby for the after-party. The Taylor Pace Orchestra drew many to the dance floor, while others opted to pose incognito in the photo booth with fun props.

Huge applause to gala co-chairs Mark and Meredith Plunkett, Hernan J.F. Saenz III, and Sylvia E. Cespedes for a truly top-secret and indulgent evening, proceeds from which support the Perot’s education programs, student scholarships, traveling exhibitions, and additional research.

Intrigued at the Perot: Perot Museum CEO Dr. Linda Abraham-Silver, Chief Experience Officer Mary Baerg, and Chief Advancement Officer Julie Diaz; gala co-chairs Mark and Meredith Plunkett, Hernan J.F. Saenz III, and Sylvia E. Cespedes; honorary co-chairs Kip and Sharon Tindell; Margot and Ross Perot, Kelly Compton, Debbie Chen, Arne Emerson, Lynn McBee, Lane and Kate Britain, Katherine and Eric Reeves, Niña and Trevor Tollett, Hannah Bush, Ben Stephens, Desmond Blair, Lyndsey Patterson, Alli Ball, Kyle Soehnger, and Colleen Coyle.