Audubon Aquarium's "Scales and Ales" Explores the Deep Sea
A Deep Dive Into the Gulf is the focus of the highly anticipated 12th annual Scales & Ales event on Friday, October 4, 2024, a spectacular night of live entertainment, delicious cocktails, and a culinary showcase by some of the region’s most renowned restaurants. This year’s event at Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium will provide guests with an immersive after-hours experience that supports Audubon’s conservation and healthy ocean initiatives.
As they enjoy the best regional cuisine and beverages, guests will enjoy live music from local bands, along with stunning views of the Mississippi River, and access to both the Aquarium and Insectarium. Throughout the evening, attendees can participate in a silent auction, featuring unique experiences and items that support Audubon’s conservation mission.
Scales & Ales attendees will also be the first to experience Audubon Aquarium’s new Deep Dive into the Gulf exhibit that spotlights the mysterious world of the deep sea in the Gulf of Mexico. This exhibit showcases vibrant and complex coral communities and the efforts underway to help them recover from the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill as part of the ongoing Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) restoration projects. Experts from these projects will be at the event to shed light on these important habitats and the ongoing restoration work. The new exhibit was made possible through a grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation with funding to restore natural resources injured by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill from the DWH Open Ocean Trustees.
"Scales & Ales has always been a celebration of marine life, and we’re thrilled to use this event to showcase the important work being done to restore the Gulf’s deep-sea habitats," said Rich Toth, Senior Vice President and Director of Audubon Aquarium. "Through this new exhibit, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of life found beneath the surface of the Gulf, and to educate our community about the critical need for conservation and restoration."
Proceeds from Scales & Ales directly support Audubon’s conservation and education efforts, ensuring a brighter future for wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/scales-ales. Audubon Aquarium will close at 2:00 p.m. on October 4, 2024 to prepare for the event.
Please note: this is an adults-only (21+) event; babies and children will not be admitted. The event will occur rain or shine. Dress code is dressy casual attire.
About Audubon Nature Institute:
Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums and parks dedicated to nature. Its mission is to celebrate the wonders of nature through innovative programs that instill a sense of stewardship for wildlife and the natural world. Learn more at audubonnatureinstitute.org.
About the Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) portfolio: After the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, federal and state agencies assessed the impacts and implemented actions to restore injured habitats, species, and the services they provide. In 2019, they selected four Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) restoration projects to be implemented through 2028 in the northern Gulf of Mexico. NOAA and the Department of Interior coordinate a multidisciplinary group of partners to plan and implement these projects. Learn more at fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/habitat-conservation/mesophotic-and-deep-benthic-communities-restoration.
About the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Learn more at marinesanctuary.org.