The American Museum of Natural History Announces Fall Social Calendar

The American Museum of Natural History will be kicking off its 2014-2015 social season in October with the annual Family Party, a favorite event among youngsters. Other highlights of the coming year will include the dazzling Museum Gala; the annual Museum Dance, consistently one of New York City's most popular junior events; the 25th Annual Environmental Lecture and Luncheon; and a range of fun gatherings for young professionals. Highlights include:

FAMILY PARTY-Tuesday, October 21

On Tuesday, October 21, from 5 to 7:30 pm, the 21st 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, measure skulls, 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 2014 Family Party Chairmen are Stephanie Coleman, Sloan Greenspan, Amy Griffin, Melissa and Carney Hawks, Kim and Greg Lippmann, 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 20

The highlight of the fall season, the much-anticipated Museum Gala will be held on Thursday, November 20, from 7 to 11 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 212-313-7161.

MUSEUM DANCE-Thursday, March 12, 2015

As New York City's longest-running junior benefit, the annual Museum Dance brings together influential and philanthropic young professionals to celebrate and raise essential funds for the Museum's scientific and educational programs, which enable thousands of underserved New York City school children to visit the Museum annually. Guests will have the opportunity to buy tickets to an intimate dinner or to join friends later in the evening for dessert, dancing, and a silent auction. For more information please call 212-313-7161.

ENVIRONMENTAL LECTURE AND LUNCHEON-Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Museum's 25th Annual Spring Environmental Lecture and Luncheon will take place onWednesday, April 22, from noon to 2 pm.

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 2014­-2015 season on Thursday, October 2, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, with a private screening of the giant-screen film Great White Shark 3D and a cocktail reception.

An iconic predator, the great white shark is misrepresented, misunderstood, and on the verge of extinction. Great White Shark explores the great white's place in our imaginations and in our fears while focusing on the plight of sharks around the world and the fate of sharks at the hands of the planet's greatest predator of all: humans. As the demand for shark-fin soup rises, every year tens of millions of sharks are killed primarily for their fins. Some shark populations have been reduced by 99 percent, and many oceanic sharks face extinction.

The season continues on Thursday, December 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, with a private viewing of the new special exhibition Nature's Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters and a cocktail reception. From earthquakes and volcanoes to hurricanes and tornadoes, nature's forces shape our dynamic planet and affect people around the world. Nature's Furywill uncover the causes of these natural disasters, explore the risks associated with each, and examine how people cope and adapt in their aftermath. Interactive displays and animations will help visitors understand how natural phenomena work.

The season concludes with a special event on Thursday, June 25, 2015, from 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.