Party Freaks and Geeks, Rejoice: Big Bang-Themed Bash Takes Over San Francisco Tonight

We love anything that brings together our uniquely diverse interests—such as cocktails and forensic science or dance music and dinosaurs. In our search for the perfect mix of budding nerd-dom and residual party fever, we've uncovered a gem nestled in the glorious haven that is Golden Gate Park, in our very own backyard of San Francisco (represent!).

The California Academy of Sciences not only houses some of the most amazing scientific exhibits in the world (such as a giant glass bubble containing a massive indoor rainforest, à la James Cameron’s Avatar), but also puts on some seriously can’t-miss shindigs, such as this evening’s "Big Bang: Party After Dark."

We sat down with Kelly Mendez, Communications Associate at the Academy, to get the scoop on tonight’s festivities, as well as other opportunities to sip vodka-spiked yerba mate concoctions (amazing, by the way) while soaking in the scientific awesomeness of aquariums, safari animals and interactive installations.

Ravishly: What should we be most excited for at "Big Bang: Party After Dark"?

Kelly Mendez: Guests will be able to experience high-energy DJ sets by indie rockers Ra Ra Riot and Youngblood Hawke, as well as dancing, inspired cocktails, gourmet food trucks, a silent disco and more—all inside the greenest museum on the planet. The event is a great opportunity to explore the Academy’s interactive exhibits, including 38,000 live animals, a four-story rainforest, and our living roof.

Ravishly: What are some of the new projects this fundraiser will help support? 

Mendez: Funds raised at Big Bang Gala and Party After Dark will help support the Academy’s world-class research and education programs, which allow the museum to share its mission to explore, explain and sustain life with a global community.

Ravishly: Tell us a bit about the Academy's weekly NightLife events and themes, and what goes into the preparation.

Mendez: NightLife is a weekly program for adults age 21+, held every Thursday night here at the museum. Each week features a unique theme, blending fun with science in an informal, social environment. Past highlights have included pop-up art galleries; science-themed comedy; sustainable seafood cooking demonstrations; film screenings; chocolate, wine and beer tastings; and robot demonstrations, among many others. In addition, guests can mingle with Academy scientists to learn about their fascinating research and check out specimens from our research collection. Our NightLife team works to integrate fun and educational content, interactive programming, and buzzworthy speakers, DJs and performers, while also integrating the Academy's own exhibits and research in a creative and engaging way.

Ravishly: What current exhibits can we come check out right now at the Academy?

Mendez: The Academy is the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and four-story rainforest together under one living roof. During a visit, you can travel through space and time (inside the world’s largest all-digital planetarium), to the depths of a Philippine coral reef, and through the canopy of a Costa Rican rainforest (inside our four-story Rainforests of the World exhibit). On May 16, we’ll open our new Skulls exhibit, which will highlight the science of skulls—with over 600 skull specimens, a wallscape of sea lion skulls and a live display of bone-cleaning beetles.

With all the Academy of Sciences has to offer, we can’t wait to get down, drink up and jump on the learning train tonight at "Big Bang: After Dark." Grab your tickets here ($45 of the cost of admission is tax-deductible, we like-y!). Meet us at the bar, or the lagoon, or the T-rex, or...well, you get the picture. Party! Science! Yes!