The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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First Fridays at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Go dancing with the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles during their First Fridays event.

First Fridays happen every first Friday of the month;  the museum stays open until 10 p.m. and turns up the tunes with musical performances and activities  There is still an educational spin; each month they choose a different lecture topic to discuss and guests receive behind-the-scenes curatorial tours.

First Fridays begin from 5-6:30 p.m. starting off with tours on the topic of the month. A discussion ensues around 6:30 p.m. and then the performances go from 8-10 p.m.

Throughout the entire event DJs mix music for the guests in the lounge area. Expert scientists in their fields and performances by pioneering artists create a scene for one’s indulgence.

First Fridays has taken place each month over the last few years, but the museum continues to place a new vibe on the evenings.

Right now the NHM is celebrating their 100th birthday and incorporating First Fridays by looking back at the great discoveries of the last 100 years and what to look forward to in the next.

April 5th the tours will be led by gem and minerals curator Dr. Eloise Gaillou and Dr. Robert DeGroot. “Tools of the Trade” will dive into the mineral world and members from the American Chemical Society will be presenting hands-on activities with the periodic table.

“The Disappearing Spoon” will be discussed by Sam Kean exploring each element on the table and their role in human history.

The musical performances will include Japanther at 8 p.m. and Dan Deacon at 9:15 p.m.

Japanther is a group of  punk rockers that incorporate their music into various performance arts, such as puppets, marionettes, synchronized swimmers and many other out there experiments.

Dan Deacon is considered a spectacular composer and just recently made his debut at Carnegie Hall. He has his abstract side as well, as he instigated thousands of people to dance at the Occupy Wall Street rally in Union Square.

DJ Anthony Valadez is the resident DJ controlling the lounge April 5th. KISSES, a Los Angeles-based project with Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson, will also be featured.

Museum admission tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, $8 for youth, and $5 for children 3-12 years old. It is an additional $6 to watch the musical performances in the concert hall. Otherwise they have monitors showing the concert and the music blasting in the lounge area where everyone is free to roam.

Pre-sale concert and museum admission tickets are $18. Even if the tickets are sold out online, the museum holds back some for door sales. The museum has podcasts made from each lecture in case people wish to listen to one they missed.

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