Catalina Island Museum will host its annual Museum Benefit event welcoming participants from around the world with the first opportunity to view the new Titanic: Real Artifacts, Real People, Real Stories exhibition as a reimagined virtual evening experience on Saturday, October 17, from 6 – 7 p.m. The first-ever virtual affair will be streamed live on YouTube and is free to attend with advanced registration at betterunite.com/catalinamuseum.

The virtual affair will feature special guests and celebrity appearances led by Captain of Ceremonies and Celebrity Auctioneer Matt Rogers who will guide guests through an evening full of exciting and unique live and silent auction items. Guests will also experience a virtual ribbon cutting and first look of the museum’s new exhibition Titanic: Real Artifacts, Real People, Real Stories, telling the stories of the individuals from the fateful crossing and offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of those who set sail on the “unsinkable” ship.

Titanic is a one-of-a-kind exhibition assembled specifically by the Catalina Island Museum exploring the drama of the RMS Titanic‘s maiden voyage through artifacts, images and personal belongings, many of which have not been publicly exhibited before. The museum has worked with private collectors to bring together unique items from the Titanic for the first time since 1912.

Catalina Island Museum’s live auction will feature a private once-in-a-lifetime tour of SpaceX headquarters and a limited edition original etching by Pablo Picasso. Among the silent auction items are sought after vacation packages to luxurious California and Catalina destinations. A private chef created dinner by Diego Velasco of Memphis Café for 8, private sailing cruises, a never before offered tour of the inner workings of one of the Catalina Express catamarans with CEO Greg Bombard, signed sheet music from the Titanic movie, unique museum offerings and much more.

The Titanic Exhibition Premiere and Museum Benefit is free to attend with advanced registration. Sponsorship opportunities and donations are being accepted now to benefit the museum during this critical time and six months of closure due to the pandemic. Auction items available for bidding and all event information can be found at betterunite.com/catalinamuseum.

The event takes place on October 17, 2020, 6 – 7pm; https://www.catalinamuseum.org/