May 8, 2008--Have you ever eaten like a lake sturgeon, dined from an eagle’s nest, or tasted grilled, farmed caribou meat topped with birch syrup and blueberry sauce? These were just some of the unique experiences offered to guests at the world premiere gala for Science North’s newest giant-screen IMAX film, Mysteries of the Great Lakes. The lavish event was held on May 3, 2008, at Science North in Sudbury, Ontario. More than 300 guests attended the event and enjoyed a culinary sampling of the Great Lakes; specialty cocktails, including the “Edmund Fitzgerald” and the “Lake Superior;” a sampling of great wines from the Legends Estate Winery located in the Niagara Peninsula; a silent auction; and entertainment by Allison and Megan Lickley—the daughters of Mysteries of the Great Lakes Director/Producer David Lickley. 

The main event--the world-premiere screening of the $6 million dollar film Mysteries of the Great Lakes--highlighted the night. The new IMAX film takes audiences on a journey from the tip of Lake Superior to the edge of Lake Ontario, revealing ancient and modern mysteries along the way. A ‘Made In Sudbury’ production to be proud of, and definitely a great reason to celebrate!

Party-goers included biologist Dr. Ronald Bruch, Senior Fisheries Biologist/Work Unit Supervisor with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and a key character in the film, pictured here (left) with David Pearson (right), Science North's science director. Bruch is working to save the lake sturgeon, an ancient species of fish, from the brink of extinction.

Line Producer and Editor James Lahti (left), one of the most experienced and talented giant screen film editors and producers in the industry, also celebrated the launch of Mysteries of the Great Lakes in Sudbury. One of the highlights of the evening came when biologist turned filmmaker, David Lickley (right), picked up a mandolin and performed alongside his two talented daughters on stage.

The party carried on well into the night, with everyone buzzing about the elements contained in the film--the breathtaking beauty of the Great Lakes region, the continuing challenges being faced by bald eagles living along the Lakes, the woodland caribou herd found on the Slate Islands, and the biggest fish story ever told.

Since 1994, Science North has produced four giant screen films: Gold Fever, Bears, Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees, and Mysteries of the Great Lakes. With the creation of Mysteries of the Great Lakes, Science North is expanding its role in the industry by also becoming a distributor of giant screen films. Over the next five years Science North plans to lease Mysteries of the Great Lakes to 70 theaters worldwide. Contact Brenda Tremblay, Science North Large Format Films Distribution Unit Director at (705) 522-3701 ext. 212.

Mysteries of the Great Lakes was produced and directed by biologist turned filmmaker, David Lickley, and executive produced by James Marchbank. The film is narrated by award-winning Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent, and features the music of Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot.

To view the trailer and see a list of participating theatres, or to learn more about the film and the many sponsors who made it all possible, visit: www.mysteriesofthegreatlakes.com.

World Premiere Gala guests were invited to "Eat Like an Eagle," dining on sushi, smoked splake, smoked whitefish mousse, and gravlax, all served from an eagle's nest.		Allison and Megan Lickley, daughters of David Lickley, entertain the guests at the Mysteries of the Great Lakes World Premiere Gala held May 3, 2008 at Science North.