The New Children’s Museum.

The New Children’s Museum and event chairs, Celeste and Ted Hilling, invite San Diego to get creative with A Night in California. Known for its innovative and out-of-the ordinary events, the Museum is hosting its first large-scale benefit since 2013. The evening promises a grown-up version of the Museum’s art and experience-driven model on the evening of October 14th. Drawing inspiration from their current Eureka! exhibition, the event will showcase the Museum’s unique blend of creativity with food, drinks and music inspired by all that our great state has come to represent.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the same level of playfulness, innovation and fun that we foster at The New Children’s Museum,” 8-year board veteran and event chair Celeste Hilling tells Giving Back Magazine. “Our mission supports creativity and imagination and our benefit events carry the same spirit. A Night in California will definitely be a night to remember.”

The evening, emceed by KUSI morning personality Brad Perry, will begin with an opportunity for guests to explore the galleries and get hands-on with the Museum’s installations. Exceptional food and beverage pairings will accompany each area featuring a different era of the California experience: from the Wild West to Old Hollywood, Beach to Beatnik, and So-Cal hipster Chic. Guests are also encouraged to dress in terms of what living in the Golden State means to them. Anything goes as long as long as it is creative, comfortable and California!

The Museum will also recognize three exceptional San Diego leaders with the inaugural Think-Play-Create Awards, acknowledging an art educator, an innovator and a museum supporter. The evening will conclude with a California Dance Party in the beautiful Museum Park.

Proceeds from A Night in California will help The New Children’s Museum continue to play a vital role in our community providing innovative art- and play-based opportunities for San Diego’s children and families. Donations will fund the Museum’s exceptional variety of programs that foster creativity and critical thinking in children of all ages and abilities. The event has been underwritten in part by Bank of America, SDG&E, The San Diego Foundation, Sharp Electronics and US Bank.

Tickets are on sale now – please visit www.thinkplaycreate.org/night-in-california-benefit