There were a lot of thoughts racing through my mind, on Saturday night, at the 30th annual Fantasy Gala, benefiting the former Lied Discovery Children’s Museum (newly rebranded as DISCOVERY Children’s Museum).  First and foremost was that it was high time that my generation starts getting active in the philanthropic scene, ‘round these parts.  Seriously, y’all; what’re you waiting for?  So, it was nice to see ladies of my vintage (give or take), like Annemarie Jones and Carrie Henderson, working with longtime “Museum Lady” Judy Cebulko, to bring this costumed affair to life.

The evening was a tribute to a trio of ladies who first launched this affair, three decades ago.  No, I’m not referring to Charlie’s Angels (although these BFsF have got sass to spare): I’m talking about Robin Greenspun, Jan Laverty Jones Blackhurst, and Barbara Molasky, who took to the stage like The Supremes, in matching gowns of sequins on black illusion, à la Mother Mackie, in a nod to the fashions of the Eighties.

A number of the night’s attendees came in costume.  Myself, I donned an authentic Arabian abaya, trimmed in metallic gold thread, and covered myself in layers of gold make-up and glitter.  What kind of stuck in my craw (but morphed into amusement) was that four out of five guests present did NOT think I was in costume.  Seriously folks – I do not know what y’all think I wear on a given evening, but I can assure you that an ethnic man-robe is not de rigueur (except, I’ll grant you, on "Mumu Mondays" or "Cheongsam Sundays"  – but never on the Sabbath...).

There was a cute flash mob, with this little dancing granny in a fabulous multi-patterned black-and-white skirt.  Whitney duBoef looked sharp in ‘80s Paul Smith, and I’m convinced that Sonja Saltman (who looked major, comme d’habitude) had rustled-up some old-school Romeo Gigli or Christian Lacroix, that the always-stylish Lieuchi Fine told me she was half-tempted to go and “snatch right off her back.”

Adding just the right amount of gaiety (to a party that was already filled to the rim with, shall we say, frivolity?) were his and his video tributes from Roger Thomas (who shot his lakeside, at Wynn Las Vegas’ lovely Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, I think) and Patrick Duffy (who shot his, in front of a screen, color-matched to his chartreuse frames) – neither of whom were unable to make it; but for all I know it’s because they were off, practicing their Rockette fan-kicks, with Nicky Kidman at the Moulin Rouge (which would just bring a whole new subtext to “gay Paree” wouldn’t it?).

It was a fun time, and I look forward to attending this event, again, in the future.  What puzzles me is that if this has been going on for thirty years, why was this the first year I’d heard about it.  It’s not like I’ve been living in a box, these past fifteen years. 

But I digress.  The important thing is that this new museum – opening at the Donald W. Reynolds Discovery Center in Downtown Las Vegas’ spectacular Symphony Park, on the campus of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts – will be something that will attract families from all across the country, and beyond.  Think of it…  A three-story museum for kids, with nine interactive galleries, spread-out comfortably over 58,000 square feet.  Now, that’s something to crow about! 

DISCOVERY Children’s Museum
Opening Soon!
Click HERE for info

Get into it!