The Jonas Brothers Performed at the American Museum of Natural History’s 150th Anniversary

Last night at its annual gala, the American Museum of Natural History had much to celebrate. It was the Upper West Side institution’s 150th anniversary, and to help with the party they called upon comic John Mulaney (for entertainment), chef Bobby Flay (for fare), and the Jonas Brothers (for song and dance).

In attendance was a starry crowd, including a gaggle of SNL-ers, who all climbed the marble steps leading into the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda. On the red carpet, partygoers waxed poetic on the AMNH. “When we did 30 Rock, we’d come [to the gala] every year,” shared Alec Baldwin. “My wife and I donate money to the museum—it’s something that if you can do, you have to. It’s a unique place; my kids love it here.”

“The gala is always a very fun night out,” added Tina Fey. “It’s star-studded, top to bottom. Mulaney and the Jonas Brothers—I’m calling it cute-white-boy fall!”

Following aperitifs, the party floated down into the storied Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, where scattered light fell upon the famous blue whale that spans the entire ceiling. From each seat, guests stared upward, overcome by the illusory sense of looking at the surface from the ocean floor. On the menu, prepared and perfected by Flay himself for the 700-person dining room, were items like pressed chicken glazed in tarragon salsa verde and espresso-soaked bread pudding in a bed of mascarpone cream. The evening kicked off with a cheeky welcome from Mulaney and a word of thanks from AMNH president Ellen Futter, who introduced surprise guest Mayor Bill de Blasio. “There’s a lot of fear [in the world], but when you walk in here, science rules the day, ideas matter,” said de Blasio. “There are possibilities; there is hope.”

From an exclusive viewing of the Thanksgiving Day parade on the steps of the museum to four tickets to a live taping of SNL (highly coveted after-party access included), the auction items did not disappoint the eager crowd of bidders, who lept at each offer with gusto. All proceeds from the auction would be used to allow New York City children to access free programming at the museum, inspiring minds and instilling a sense of curiosity in the next generation.

The museum itself is constantly evolving (to the tune of one major expansion each year for the next three years). From the reopening of a historic hall of gems and minerals in the fall of 2020 to the West Coast Hall, which will represent 10 different indigenous nations to create an authentic experience of the northwest coast of Canada and Alaska, museum patrons will have reasons to return for years to come.

The urge to shimmy and shake was impossible to resist as the Jonas Brothers closed the evening with a full-fledged, electrifying performance of their latest hits to date. Guests bounded to their feet and remained there for the rest of the night, undoubtedly humming “Sucker” the entire ride home.