Ve•gran•dis 
[vegrandis] Latin for tiny or diminutive
THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES invites you to our first annual fundraising gala, Vegrandis, on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Step inside The Mini Time Machine and be whisked back in time 100 years to the Arizona Territory on the brink of statehood. Our 2012 Vegrandis will be an evening of fine food, drink, enchantment and nostalgia exploring a Centennial theme with a preview of a new exhibit.
At 6:30pm guests will be greeted with revelry, cocktails and entertainment. At 7:00pm the galleries will open- offering a cornucopia of culinary delights and performances.
Award winning Chef, Doug Levy, of Feast has created an exclusive menu for the evening- a lavish interpretation of regional dishes and ingredients. This sumptuous fare will be presented in each gallery allowing guests to savor the authentic flavors, mingle with each other and encounter roving performances amidst the miniatures.
These cameo performances will be reminiscent of entertainment from Arizona of yore including the Ronstadt Generations- Michael J. Ronstadt, younger brother of Linda Ronstadt, and his son Petie Ronstadt performing a repertoire that reaches back to the end of the 19th century while looking ahead into the 21st with a rich innovation of original material alongside traditional Southwestern and Mexican songs. The Matinee Idles- Ed Johnson, Rogers Hornsby, Merk Merker and Tom McGorray will be crooning barbershop melodies and ballads from the day in heavenly four-part harmony. Additionally there will be performances by the Mustang Corners- Tim Daldrup, Dave Knipe and Bob Collier, the Americana strummers whose bluegrass kicks and western licks embellish great songs from our storied past.
Guests will also have the first look at our new exhibit, Shaping Arizona Statehood: The George Stuart Historical Figures of the Movement West, which opens Tuesday, January 31, 2012. This exhibit brings together fourteen figures from the past that represent more than 400 years of New World discovery and exploration, carving the path to Arizona Statehood in 1912.
Take a chance and win the treasure of your choice in our silent auction and raffle. Antiques, silver, wine and more could be yours with a bid or the purchase of an arm’s length of raffle tickets. Silent auction and raffle highlights include a gorgeous swarovvski crystal pendant from Stewart Kuper Jewelers, a behind the scenes exclusive tour of the new Frida Kahlo exhibit at TMA for up to 15 people, led by the Latin American Curator and an antique miniature Italian walnut and marble three-drawer bombe chest, stunning example of miniature apprentice furniture produced by European guild craftsmen in the early 20th century.
Gala Tickets are $100 each ($55 tax deductible). Doors open at 6:30pm.
A GRAND OVERTURE
Begin your evening early with an intimate hour with the artist, George S. Stuart. Immerse yourself in the details of the lives of these historic figures as presented in an exclusive performance by Mr. Stuart created especially for this evening. Limited to 50 seats, these privileged guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist, sip a signature cocktail and partake in the flavors of mesquite, agave and regional spices in unique dishes created by Chef Doug Levy before joining the other gala guests at 6:30pm.
Grand Overture Gala Tickets are $150 each ($85 tax deductible). Doors open at 5:00pm for Grand Overture Ticket holders.
Vegrandis is The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures’ annual event to raise funds for museum operations. Since opening in 2009, the museum has welcomed over 92,000 visitors, including over 30,000 children who have visited with their families or on school fieldtrips. Children’s programs and summer camps at the museum provide not only arts and crafts, but structured experiences in history, social studies, language arts and math. The museum’s collection of over 275 miniature houses and roomboxes, spanning over 250 years and representing the countries of the world, provide a richly diverse platform for interactive learning in an enchanting environment.
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is a Tucson treasure, nationally recognized for its spectacular location, extraordinary architecture and exhibit design and highly prized collection of fine miniatures. Your support of Vegrandis allows us to continue to offer a unique and exciting experience for visitors of all ages.
Sponsorship opportunities available. For more information please contact info@theminitimemachine.org or call 520.881.0606
MAJOR DONORS
We are grateful to these event donors:
Maximus
Patricia and Walter Arnell
Magnus
Anonymous, in memory of Gwendolyn Dolan
Grandus
The Desert Leaf
Spectrum Printing
Amicus
Victoria Arnell
Jim and Vicki Click
Swaim Associates Ltd. Architects
SILENT AUCTION AND RAFFLE DONORS
A special thanks for in-kind gifts from:
Arizona Opera
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Arizona Theatre Company
Beyond Bread
Café a la C’Art
Feast
Flandrau Science Center
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Frost: A Gelato Shoppe
Beth Giachetti
International Wildlife Museum
Jonathan’s Cork
Loft Theater
Miniature Memories
O.K. Feed & Supply
Old Tucson
Paca de Paja Bed & Breakfast
Pima Air & Space Museum
Quench Fine Wines
Reid Park Zoo
Sara Risley
Rosa’s Mexican Food
Nelle Starr
Stewart Kuper Jewelers
The Right Touch Massage
Titan Missile Museum
Tohono Chul Park
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Tucson City Golf
Tucson Jewish Community Center
Tucson Museum of Art
Tucson Symphony & Orchestra
Jean Wadman
