Discovery Ball

Discovery Ball

213-744-7494
galainfo@californiasciencecenter.org

23rd Annual Discovery Ball
May 7, 2022

Due to COVID-related restrictions on large gatherings at the time, the California Science Center Foundation made the difficult decision to cancel our Spring 2021 benefit. We look forward to the highly anticipated return of our gala on Saturday, May 7, 2022 featuring the new exhibition Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia, making its world premiere at the California Science Center.

Discovery Ball Postcard

The Discovery Ball is California Science Center Foundation’s signature annual benefit event. The black-tie gala has been described as “a virtual who’s who of the Los Angeles business community” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. It consistently places in the top 5 annually in the benefits category of the Top 100 Events in Southern California by BizBash Magazine and recently won Special Events Magazine’s 2020 Gala Award for Best Fundraising Event.

Explore the table levels and benefits and make your contribution online, or contact the Development Office to make your reservation at 213-744-7494 or galainfo@californiasciencecenter.org.

On March 7, 2020, 600 guests joined the California Science Center Foundation in celebration at the 22nd Annual Discovery Ball benefit featuring the Los Angeles premiere of The Art of the Brick, the world’s largest display of LEGO® art. With the leadership of our Discovery Ball Committee the gala raised $1.6 million in support of science learning for everyone!

We are thrilled to be featured in this BizBash article: How this Annual Gala Used Eclectic Décor to Keep Things Fresh with some great photos of highlights from the event. 

Thank you to our generous supporters, proceeds from the Discovery Ball help sustain the hands-on exhibits, programs and operations that make the California Science Center a world-class educational resource and family destination. 

A virtual who’s who of the Los Angeles business community.

Los Angeles Business Journal

Relive Past years' galas

Amber hued Samuel Oschin Pavilion with starry accents for a seated dinner fundraising gala
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography

22nd Annual Discovery Ball featuring The Art of the Brick

White drone hovers near AOTB Discovery Ball red carpet step & repeat in order to photograph arriving guests
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Discovery Ball registration staff working on laptops to check-in guests while sitting at long clear, acrylic table filled with hundreds of LEGO bricks in standard LEGO colors.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Nathan Sawaya's African animal pieces, including a cheetah, rhino, gorilla, and giraffe are displayed in an African Savanna diorama with themed backdrop and live plants
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Three female and 3 male entertainers wearing Mondrian inspired costumes and LEGO minifigure inspired wigs pose in front of Lexus and Mondrian print backdrop
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
White bar decorated with purple and pink Andy Warhol cows and backbar decorated with Nathan Sawaya's pink eight maids a milking
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Space-themed LEGO sets displayed as art, sit atop rectangular, glowing cases in narrow room with wave imagery projected on either side
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Discovery Ball tabletop with Saltillo tole chargers, burnt orange napkins, glassware, and floral centerpiece
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Education staff member holds gloved hands over ears during science demonstration. Colorful plastic balls explode out of trash cans followed by dry ice smoke.
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
Dance band and costumed entertainers dressed in metallics and futuristic costumes perform on stage for the AOTB Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A female performer wearing a futuristic costume holds tray of alien-themed accessories as guest poses alongside wearing alien antennae headband in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, lit in dark orange and purple
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
Ecosystems atrium with plush lounge furniture and white piano for private event
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Amber hued Samuel Oschin Pavilion with starry accents for a seated dinner fundraising gala
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography

22nd Annual Discovery Ball featuring The Art of the Brick

White drone hovers near AOTB Discovery Ball red carpet step & repeat in order to photograph arriving guests
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Discovery Ball registration staff working on laptops to check-in guests while sitting at long clear, acrylic table filled with hundreds of LEGO bricks in standard LEGO colors.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Nathan Sawaya's African animal pieces, including a cheetah, rhino, gorilla, and giraffe are displayed in an African Savanna diorama with themed backdrop and live plants
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Three female and 3 male entertainers wearing Mondrian inspired costumes and LEGO minifigure inspired wigs pose in front of Lexus and Mondrian print backdrop
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
White bar decorated with purple and pink Andy Warhol cows and backbar decorated with Nathan Sawaya's pink eight maids a milking
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Space-themed LEGO sets displayed as art, sit atop rectangular, glowing cases in narrow room with wave imagery projected on either side
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Discovery Ball tabletop with Saltillo tole chargers, burnt orange napkins, glassware, and floral centerpiece
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Education staff member holds gloved hands over ears during science demonstration. Colorful plastic balls explode out of trash cans followed by dry ice smoke.
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
Dance band and costumed entertainers dressed in metallics and futuristic costumes perform on stage for the AOTB Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A female performer wearing a futuristic costume holds tray of alien-themed accessories as guest poses alongside wearing alien antennae headband in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, lit in dark orange and purple
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
Ecosystems atrium with plush lounge furniture and white piano for private event
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Slider info
Astroturf lounge furniture vignettes on Disney Science Court for event
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography

21st Annual Discovery Ball featuring Dogs! A Science Tail

Four members of the Los Angeles Fire Department each stand in uniform with their working dogs beside them in the Lorsch Family Pavilion
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A caterer's hand dressed in a handmade dog puppet sticks out of hedge wall, holding a champagne glass as-if the glass is in the dog's mouth
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Edgerton Court carnival, circus, themed cocktail reception set up with bright red, pink, and yellow cocktail tables and stage covered in astroturf
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Sara Carson lays on her back on astroturf stage, while Hero, The Super Collie balances atop her feet as Discovery Ball guests look on
A white specialty cocktail bar with astroturf paneling sits in front of a hedge wall and is decorated with balloon dog sculptures and whimsical astroturf dogs.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Aerial view of carnival themed cocktail party in the Ahmanson Building with purple and amber lighting at dusk
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Event guest mingling in Edgerton Court decorated with dog bone shaped bar and stringer lights
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Samuel Oschin Pavilion filled with linen banquet tables, live trees, and garden park accents lit dramatically for a dark starry night effect
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Pink rose floral centerpiece sits atop banquet table dressed with elegant glassware and green linen.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
An empty banquet table dressed with green linens and glassware sits in front of an empty stage featuring a large dog prop which sits on an astroturfed stage decorated with greenery and gates for a fundraising gala
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two female entertainers dressed as cats pose on bright pink couch in front of 'Dog Houz Nightclub" sign
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
The Loker Conference Center dressed in full wrap around, pink velvet drapery, features plush lounge seating and a white dance floor and stage for performers. Tassel-lined, round light fixtures hang on either side of the room.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Astroturf lounge furniture vignettes on Disney Science Court for event
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography

21st Annual Discovery Ball featuring Dogs! A Science Tail

Four members of the Los Angeles Fire Department each stand in uniform with their working dogs beside them in the Lorsch Family Pavilion
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A caterer's hand dressed in a handmade dog puppet sticks out of hedge wall, holding a champagne glass as-if the glass is in the dog's mouth
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Edgerton Court carnival, circus, themed cocktail reception set up with bright red, pink, and yellow cocktail tables and stage covered in astroturf
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Sara Carson lays on her back on astroturf stage, while Hero, The Super Collie balances atop her feet as Discovery Ball guests look on
A white specialty cocktail bar with astroturf paneling sits in front of a hedge wall and is decorated with balloon dog sculptures and whimsical astroturf dogs.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Aerial view of carnival themed cocktail party in the Ahmanson Building with purple and amber lighting at dusk
Image attribution
Snap Yourself
Event guest mingling in Edgerton Court decorated with dog bone shaped bar and stringer lights
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Samuel Oschin Pavilion filled with linen banquet tables, live trees, and garden park accents lit dramatically for a dark starry night effect
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Pink rose floral centerpiece sits atop banquet table dressed with elegant glassware and green linen.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
An empty banquet table dressed with green linens and glassware sits in front of an empty stage featuring a large dog prop which sits on an astroturfed stage decorated with greenery and gates for a fundraising gala
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two female entertainers dressed as cats pose on bright pink couch in front of 'Dog Houz Nightclub" sign
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
The Loker Conference Center dressed in full wrap around, pink velvet drapery, features plush lounge seating and a white dance floor and stage for performers. Tassel-lined, round light fixtures hang on either side of the room.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Slider info
Empty, gold adorned banquet rounds in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion sit under the space shuttle Endeavour which has a blue-lit image of King Tut's sarcophagus dramatically projected onto its side using videomapping technology
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography

20th Anniversary Discovery Ball featuring KING TUT: TREASURES OF THE GOLDEN PHARAOH

Entertainer dressed as Lord Carnarvon stands with live camel at the King Tut Discovery Ball
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two bartenders wearing red fez hats stand behind large wooden bars topped with bar product.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two women wearing long white, lace dresses and skirts stand with lace umbrellas in front of sign reading "Please join us for Lord Canarvon's [sic] Tea Party"
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two King Tut Discovery Ball guests dig with brushes in sand table while Education team member in archeologist costume looks on.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A small dark room is dressed to look like the King Tut tomb entrance. It is lined with wooden prop Egyptian treasures and the quote "Yes, wonderful things -Howard Carter" is projected on the far wall.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Guests are seated at gold adorned banquet rounds in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion under the space shuttle Endeavour which has an image of King Tut's sarcophagus dramatically projected onto its side using videomapping technology
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Floral centerpiece with flowers in red, blue, orange, and yellow sits on banquet round dressed for dinner service with gold highlights for the King Tut Discovery Ball
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A banquet round with gold adorned linen and dinnerware sits in front of the SpacHab exhibit, which is projection mapped with gold hieroglyphic designs for the King Tut Discovery Ball dinner
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Cocktail rounds and elegant lounge furniture in black and gold are arranged on Edgerton Court with dramatic uplighting, evoking both Egypt and Roaring '20s visuals for the King Tut Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two male costumed entertainers stand cross armed overlooking Discovery Ball after party. Shirtless entertainers are lit in blue and wearing Egyptian inspired headwear and clothing.
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
Two Entertainers sit on black, round plush couch wearing gatsby-style bright striped suits and decorative eye makeup at the King Tut Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
3 Female entertainers dressed in gatsby-style two piece outfits and matching head accessories perform for guests at King Tut Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Empty, gold adorned banquet rounds in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion sit under the space shuttle Endeavour which has a blue-lit image of King Tut's sarcophagus dramatically projected onto its side using videomapping technology
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography

20th Anniversary Discovery Ball featuring KING TUT: TREASURES OF THE GOLDEN PHARAOH

Entertainer dressed as Lord Carnarvon stands with live camel at the King Tut Discovery Ball
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two bartenders wearing red fez hats stand behind large wooden bars topped with bar product.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two women wearing long white, lace dresses and skirts stand with lace umbrellas in front of sign reading "Please join us for Lord Canarvon's [sic] Tea Party"
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two King Tut Discovery Ball guests dig with brushes in sand table while Education team member in archeologist costume looks on.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A small dark room is dressed to look like the King Tut tomb entrance. It is lined with wooden prop Egyptian treasures and the quote "Yes, wonderful things -Howard Carter" is projected on the far wall.
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Guests are seated at gold adorned banquet rounds in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion under the space shuttle Endeavour which has an image of King Tut's sarcophagus dramatically projected onto its side using videomapping technology
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Floral centerpiece with flowers in red, blue, orange, and yellow sits on banquet round dressed for dinner service with gold highlights for the King Tut Discovery Ball
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
A banquet round with gold adorned linen and dinnerware sits in front of the SpacHab exhibit, which is projection mapped with gold hieroglyphic designs for the King Tut Discovery Ball dinner
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Cocktail rounds and elegant lounge furniture in black and gold are arranged on Edgerton Court with dramatic uplighting, evoking both Egypt and Roaring '20s visuals for the King Tut Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Two male costumed entertainers stand cross armed overlooking Discovery Ball after party. Shirtless entertainers are lit in blue and wearing Egyptian inspired headwear and clothing.
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton
Two Entertainers sit on black, round plush couch wearing gatsby-style bright striped suits and decorative eye makeup at the King Tut Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
3 Female entertainers dressed in gatsby-style two piece outfits and matching head accessories perform for guests at King Tut Discovery Ball afterparty
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
Slider info
Blue Hued Dinner Gala in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion
Image attribution
Nadine Froger Photography
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Young kids wait in line to fly their kites near a large fan while at Hands-On Science Camp
Image attribution
Nathan Alexander