Though known for its massive skeletal dinosaur displays, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is digging into the world of fandom and fantasy with talks about dragons, witches, larger-than-life monsters and even magical powers during its First Fridays after-hours series starting Feb. 3.
“First Fridays is just a really immersive experience that allows you explore your interests,” said Marisol Jara, senior manager of public programs for the museum. “You can hear talks, listen to music and just have fun,”
First Fridays has been a popular event at the museum and for more than a decade it has been organized with various scientific themes each year. It includes monthly events happening on the first Friday of each month, February-June, and features a mix of science, live music and DJs.
People can tour the Natural History Museum and night, listen to live music and attend discussion as part of the First Fridays monthly series. It starts Feb. 3. (Photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum)
This year’s theme is Fandoms & Fantasy and it takes a look at how science serves as a springboard for supernatural and super cool worlds.
“We’re exploring the way in which science has influenced these fantastical worlds and creature creating and world creating,” Jara said. “Many of these popular fandoms such as ‘Games of Thrones’ and monsters and witches and wizards, a lot of the inspiration for that comes from the natural world like the way in which the animals are designed, the type of monsters you encounter.”
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First Fridays kicks off on Feb. 3 with a night discussion dubbed “Dragons, Lore, and More” and includes an appearance by Rebecca C. Thompson, author of “Fire, Ice, and Physics: The Science of Game Thrones,” who will talk about the science behind fantasy worlds and creatures.
And if you’re not into fantasy, you can still enjoy the museum and get your dance on dance with a DJ set from Chulita Vinyl Club, plus live music from Black Belt Eagle Scout (also known as multi-instrumentalist Katherine Paul), whose style is influenced by alt-rock and Native American traditional music. Emo-pop singer-songwriter Ari Rivera will open the evening.
“This is also for people who are into music because one of the biggest parts is the DJs and live music on top of the conversations and the ambiance,” Jara said.
Here’s a list of the other upcoming First Fridays events. All of the details have yet to be released, but Jara offered a few clues as to what people can expect from the series.
March 3: “Witches, Wizards, and Magical Powers”
This event look at how witches got all their magical powers. “We’re gong to look at plants and botanicals and how some of that has inspired some of these characters you see in movies,” Jara said.
April 7: “Space, Time, and Beyond”
This night will focus on sci-fi movies and how real-life technology influenced all the cool stuff people see on film. So “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” fans may want to put it in hyperdrive and get tickets soon.
May 5: “Giant Monsters/Giant Robot”
Could King Kong be real? Is Godzilla out there? Probably not, but you never know, so come find out for sure during this discussion.
June 2: “Superheroes”
An evening that dives into how super powers are very loosely based on science. “We’re going to see and discuss how they exaggerated and elaborated on the possibilities,” Jara said.
First Fridays
When: 5-10 p.m. Feb. 3
Where: The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles
Tickets: $20; For more information on forthcoming First Fridays events, go to nhm.org.