On November 10, the Museum is going to party like it’s 1983! Why 1983? It’s the year The New Children’s Museum was founded! To celebrate this milestone, our annual Studio 200 on Island gala theme is Totally 80s Birthday Bash, where we transform the Museum into a vibrant, after-hours club celebrating the best music, fashion and fads of the 80s. Think extra teased hair, leg warmers, Rubiks Cubes, Back to the Future, Thriller and Pac-Man. This year also marks our 10-year anniversary as The New Children’s Museum — making it an extra special event of the year!
Here are 6 really excellent reasons why you won’t want to miss this totally rad party:
1. Dress up in awesome 80s attire.
We encourage guests to dress up 80s-style, whether it’s an 80s pop-icon, reviving the classic acid-wash jeans or sporting a more 80s aerobic-inspired look. Check out our Pinterest page for more inspiration.
2. Dance and sing along to your favorite 80s hits.
As guests arrive, they will be greeted with a signature birthday cocktail, toasting the Museum’s 35th birthday in San Diego and 10th birthday as The New Children’s Museum. Local 80s mix master DJ Junior the Disco Punk will kick off the evening, followed by popular spandex-clad, 80s tribute band BetaMAXX playing everyone’s favorite music hits from the era.
3. Get a drink at the most iconic 80s bar in America.
Remember Cheers, the popular 80s TV sitcom? Relive the show at our Cheers-themed bar on the Museum’s main level. There will also be multiple bar and food stations on all levels of the Museum, with food catering provided by Feast on This.
4. Play classic 80s arcade games and/or strap on some skates!
The Museum’s lower level will be transformed into the 80s arcade of your dreams, featuring classic games such as Pac-Man and Frogger (no quarters needed)! Adjacent to the arcade games, Skateworld is transforming our Sketch Aquarium into a mini roller-skating rink! Guests will be able to rent skates (for free) and take a spin around the room to 80s tunes.
5. Bid on over 50 packages at our Silent Auction.
We’re hosting a silent auction that will feature over 50 packages, ranging from beauty, unique experiences, dining out, hotel stays, trips and more. Click here to see all the organizations and businesses that donated items. In honor of the Museum’s birthday, there will be mystery birthday presents guests can purchase for a “surprise” gift! Download the Live Source app to start bidding today!
6. Help raise funds for the Museum’s many access programs.
Most importantly, the proceeds from this event will help fund the Museum’s many access programs, helping us to bring over 25% of annual visitors the opportunity to think, play + create at little to no cost to them. The Museum is committed to being a community resource in San Diego and has multiple access programs designed to reach deeply into local communities, and stimulate, cultivate and nurture creativity for children and families. Learn more about our access programs here.
Thanks to our major underwriters and sponsors, Lynn Gorguze + Scott Peters, Laurie Mitchell + Brent Woods; and Sheryl + Harvey White, Bank of America and Solar Turbines, for making this year’s Studio 200 on Island: Totally 80s Birthday Bash possible.
General admission ($250) and VIP ($500) tickets are available now. Purchases of six tickets or more get a 20% discount. Buy tickets here.
