Museum Becomes Titanic

What a perfect theme for the perfect place! That was the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) transformed into the White Star Line R.M.S. Titanic, the ship of dreams. As co-chairs David Bolton and Cindy Makela said, “Love Boat was too corny.” Titanic had drama. It took us back to April 15, 1912. The Titanic was the biggest passenger vessel in the world. There was simply nothing like it. Who could imagine it would run into an iceberg in the north Atlantic and sink that night?

Vintage dress was encouraged, putting all the passengers in the spirit of the era. Entry to the party was like boarding a real ocean liner. We received a “first-class boarding pass” (such tickets cost more than $4,000, while “tourists”  cost a mere $30 in 1912) complete with a key to our stateroom. There was even a ramp to walk up to the “ship” and a photographer inside, ready for a photo op.

Mixing and mingling was on the balcony of the “ship” savoring flavors of wine and canapés while the Santa Barbara String Quartet played. Some of the ladies were having trouble tasting because they wore gloves. Later, a unique surprise occurred on the bow of the ship that’s in the museum. Teen Stars Nicole Trujillo and Jake Gildred sang the iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” from the movie Titanic. Who can forget Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio in that famous scene? 

Then it was time to descend and enter the first-class dining room, which looked stunning with dark red roses, three-foot silver candelabras and complimentary china at each table. Our programs were “Passports” from the White Star Line R.M.S. Titanic, complete with stamps from various imaginary travels. Even the menu from Pete Clements Catering was inspired by the Titanic’s first-class dining selections.

SBMM executive director Greg Gorga reminded us that this was the 15^th annual fundraiser. I have been writing about SBMM since the beginning. My friend, the late Helen Wilson, was one of the founding donors. Board president Wilson Quarre told about honoring the memory of SBMM’s past board member Michael deGruy. He was an award-winning underwater filmmaker working for the likes of National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and BBC. He died in a tragic helicopter accident while filming in Australia. Earlier in his life, he had almost died from a shark attack; he endured 11 operations. He was an advocate for getting all local children out onto the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel.

This annual event helps fund the SBMM extraordinary educational and curatorial programs. In January, they put 627 third through sixth graders aboard the fishing boat Coral Sea from where they saw seals and dolphins in the natural habitat, captured and studied (and then released) local marine life, and more. One of the favorite programs is the Spirit of Dana Point Tall Ship overnight program. And the list goes on.

Thanks went to John Palminteri, who led the auction, joking that “We had fires and floods and now the Titanic.” Bidding went for a night in the Sunstone Villa, cruising aboard the Condor Express with 80 of your closest friends or watching the July 4 fireworks at eye level from the museum’s Fourth Floor Crow’s Nest.

After months and months of planning, the committee should be happy with the sold-out event – the best they’ve ever given. Besides the co-chairs David and Cindy, there were David Baker, Emily Falke, Greg Gorga, Kimberley Green, Patricia Crosby Hinds, Joe Lambert, Mimi Michaelis, Sabrina Papa, and Michelle Sevilla.

As the evening extravaganza came to a close, my husband, Don, and I couldn’t find a life jacket anywhere, but we did find a pack of Life Savers in the swag bag! Next time you’re down by the harbor at 113 Harbor Way, stop in the SBMM and have a look. Better yet, come to one of their many lectures and become a member.

“Such a nice party. I can’t believe it. Such a nice party. I hate to leave it.” – T.S. Eliot.