THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9606020075
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 72 lines
It was party time Saturday night.
Major donors for the new, $35 million expansion of the Virginia Marine Science Museum gathered for their first look at a tourist attraction that is expected to be one of the biggest in the Southeast. They appeared pleased with their investment.
The only ones not to show were Pungo, Willoughby and Rudee, the youngest of the otters at the triple-sized museum. Bashful, they decided to remain in quarters. Tango and Cash, the more outgoing of the otters, decided to emerge for the champagne reception that opened the evening at the Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion.
Tom Frantz, director of the museum, told a group of 206 invited guests that the museum would be the new ``crown jewel of the city.'' At the same time, he congratulated them for reaching 94 percent of the goal of $5 million needed for new exhibits. All the new exhibits were financed by private contributions.
Frantz said that builders, during the night, had asked him, ``How many months before the opening?'' He said, ``Our opening is in about 13 days.''
He added that ``the possibilities are all there. Everything is within sight.''
The stars of the evening were broadcaster and businessman Pat Robertson and his son, Tim. They contributed $1 million forthe The Family Channel IMAX 3-D Theater.
Father and son cut the ribbon to open the theater for the first screening of ``Into the Deep,'' an underwater film adventure for which each guest was given viewing glasses.
The gala began with a champagne reception at the marsh pavilion, followed by a second reception in the museum's main building.
The 206 guests munched on scallops wrapped in pancetta, lobster and scallop cakes, toast triangles with lamb, and Peking duck pancakes.
Following the reception, a sit-down dinner was served beginning with gazpacho, topped with fish-shaped croutons. The main course consisted of seafood imperial, served in individual scallop shells, and roast beef tenderloin.
The event was planned and organized by Elly Mladick.
Jane Purrington, chairman of the board of trustees of the museum said ``I have to pinch myself to believe this is true. It was just 10 years ago, June 14, 1986, that we opened the museum. Today we are beginning a new experience.''
C. Mac Rawls, director of the museum, laughingly pointed out that otters Tango and Cash were quiet for the party.
``They've been playful all morning. They decided to take a nap for the party.''
The film was greeted enthusiastically. It featured a cast of thousands (Spanish mackerel) along with a finale of playful sea lions. Highlights included moray eels attacking an octopus and the mating rituals of the squid.
The theater itself awed guests even before the film began. The screen is 10 times the normal - 63 feet high and 64 feet wide.
To complete the awesome effect the opening nighters heard the sound on a six-track digital system, narrated by actress Kate Nelligan.
The remaining $30 million of construction costs was funded through the Virginia Beach capital improvements (tourist growth investment fund). MEMO: The celebration will continue with a grand-opening gala, open to
the public on June 14. That event will feature the woodwind quintet of
the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra as well as dancing to the Tommy
Gwaltney Orchestra and the Original Rondells. Tickets for that black tie
event are $100 per person and can be obtained by calling 481-3337. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
VICKI CRONIS/The Virginian-Pilot
EXPANSION COUNTDOWN: 13 DAYS TO GO
Visitors on Saturday night examine the progress on the
300,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon Aquarium, future home to sharks and
other indigenous marine life. by CNB