San Antonio Doseum Celebrates 7th Annual Birthday Bash With Circus Theme
By Jake Gaines Photography by Vanessa Velazquez
THE SETTING: Planning any event requires a true ringleader, yet The DoSeum’s 7th Annual Birthday Bash fully embraced the big top lifestyle. The seven-ring circus-themed event was the museum’s first gala held in person at The DoSeum since 2019 and welcomed over 350 guests seated at tables placed throughout the museum’s galleries. Patrons unleashed their inner party animal alongside VIP guests from The San Antonio Zoo. During cocktail hour, attendees enjoyed elevated carnival cuisine and afterward danced the night away in support of childhood education.
THE STYLE: Acrobats, fire artists, and amazing animals helped guests celebrate at this chic circus. Supporters who attended the gala savored carnival fair favorites of hamburgers, corn dogs, and smoked turkey kebabs provided by The RK Group. Paired with the evening’s meal was the event’s signature drink, Pink Elephants, a refreshing cocktail blending vodka, pink lemonade, and lime. Illusions and Caplan Miller Events provided the evening’s big top decor. Guests competed in classic games, including Plinko and Ring Toss, for a chance to win generous prizes donated by Saks Fifth Avenue and Bohanan’s Prime Steak and Seafood.
THE PURPOSE: Co-chairs and education advocates Adrianna Grossman and Ashley Quintanilla raised over $400,000 to support The DoSeum’s mission of equitable, joyful, hands-on learning for all. The DoSeum is a socio-emotional learning laboratory and a resource for caregivers and educators alike. Its current focus is supporting childhood education recovery after two years of interruptions and modifications. During his remarks, DoSeum CEO Dan Menelly shared, “It is critical community leaders and childhood education advocates come together and direct our attention to ensuring every learner maintains access to equitable, experiential learning resources like those found at The DoSeum. We continue to center conversations around the invisible learner, our role in shaping the future of childhood education, and cultivating both a STEM identity among children and a museum identity for caregivers. Thanks to your support, children are rediscovering the social dimensions of learning.”
