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First Friday: Sci-Fi Night
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Friday, October 7
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
$15 adults, $10 kids/seniors and $5 members
Science fiction writers, filmmakers, and artists have inspired us to think beyond the Earth and work towards traveling to the stars, and to pursue space exploration. Explore hands-on activities and learn about synthetic biology, learn all about liquid nitrogen, and what happens to objects in ultra-low temperatures. Make a sci-fi costume and take a space selfie! Listen to music and see costumed Star Wars characters out and about the Center. Enjoy a special interactive presentation of Space in your Face, that will explore the probability of alien characters and design your own alien based on special space conditions – suitable for all ages. Watch kitschy sci-fi films with host Lord Blood Rah and unpack how sci-fi became a reality with a presentation from Ron Hipschman. Beer, wine, music, and food are available.
Schedule
Andy Weir (virtually speaking) in conversation with Lisa Hoover, 7:00 p.m. Theater
Chabot Space & Science Center is proud to host the return of one of the most popular living science fiction writers, Andy Weir. Andy will be joining us virtually with an in-person audience in conversation with Lisa Hoover. Seating capacity is extremely limited.
Andy Weir is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, “The Martian”, “Artemis,” and “Project Hail Mary.”
Lisa Hoover is a Program Manager at Chabot Space & Science Center.
Space in Your Face Presents “Alien Anatomy in Pop Culture: How Probable are Hollywood aliens?” 7:30 p.m., Studio 3
We’ve all seen Little Green Men on the big screen, but some movies imagine aliens as being more diverse, like in Star Wars. Given the range of aliens in movies, how well does Hollywood do in a scientific sense? In this presentation, we will discuss the anthropomorphizing of aliens in pop culture and create our own aliens!
Julia DeMarines is Space in Your Face and a PhD student, Astrobiologist, science communicator working with the UC Berkeley SETI Research Center & Blue Marble Space.
Wolves of Mandalore “Mando Mercs Costume Club”, 8:00 p.m., Café and roaming throughout the Center
The Wolves of Mandalore Clan is the Central California branch of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club. Hear about the group, learn about how they make their costumes and meet them as they travel throughout the Center.
Lord Blood-Rah “Nerve Wrackin’ Theatre”, 8:30 p.m., Theater
Lord Blood-Rah hosts the long running TV series Lord Blood-Rah’s Nerve-Wrackin’ Theatre presenting the Best, Worst and Wildest horror and science fiction films ever made.
Lord Blood-Rah’s podcast, Lord Blood-Rah’s Nerve-Wrackin’ Auditorium, featuring classic episodes of old-time radio horror series, can be found wherever podcasts are available.
Ron Hipschman “Science Fiction to Science Fact”, 8:30 p.m., Studio 3
Science fiction has predicted many things. Some have come true (think touch screens, submarines, bionic limbs), others, not so much—or at least, not yet. If you’ve ever wondered where your flying car or rocket belt is, or why you don’t yet have a robot servant, find out at this irreverent presentation.
Ron Hipschman has worked at the Exploratorium for over 50 years as an exhibit developer, author, teacher, public programs presenter and webcast host.
Bay Area Droid Builders, roaming
THESE ARE THE DROIDS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR! Throughout Chabot, meet the Bay Area Droid Builders and their fully operational, moving versions of many of the famous Star Wars robots and droids.
501st Legion, roaming
Meet the Stormtroopers of the 501st Legion as they march through the halls of Chabot!
The 501st Legion is an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating STAR WARS™ through the creation and use of quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the STAR WARS™ universe.
Galaxy Explorers: Liquid Nitrogen, Spectra and Synthetic Biology demos, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Studio 1
Galaxy Explorers serves up a suite of chemistry, biology, and physics demos to wow people of all ages.
Engage with the spectra demo and explore the properties and underlying physics of light emission by experimenting with scientific tools called “spectroscopes” and revealing the hidden spectral lines in excited gases.
Learn about Liquid Nitrogen and all the “cool” physical changes that are associated with ultra-low temperatures in this chill demo!
The Building with Biology Project: Synthetic biology uses techniques combining biology and engineering to make new or modified living things and materials.
Planetarium
6:30 p.m. When Things Collide
7:30 p.m. Halloween-themed Zeiss Astronomical Presentation with Eastbay Astronomical Society
9:00 p.m. Magical, Mythical, Muddy Mars
First Fridays at Chabot Space & Science Center bring the Oakland community together to play and discover, highlight diverse voices in S.T.E.A.M. and inspire explorers of all ages.
Chabot’s First Friday opens the doors for discovery with planetarium shows, telescope viewings and after-hours access to exhibits. Embedded in Redwood Regional Park, the Center is a space for our community to get together, learn, and explore in Oakland’s backyard.
First Friday features a new theme supported by community partners, hands-on activities, workshops, performances, and speakers. With different opportunities every month, the possibilities are endless: Talk to an astronaut. Shake hands with a dinosaur. Practice your pitching with the Oakland A’s and more!
