Time Capsule

Ever wonder where the future will take you? This week, NightLife thinks deep about time and what it means to us all.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Lectures (African Hall)

  • 7:00 pm, "Making Sense of Time in Human Evolution"—Learn how scientists measure time in human evolution using isotopic techniques and how they can tell the age at death of an ancient fossil by studying its teeth, with a talk by Doctor Zeresenay “Zeray” Alemseged.
  • 8:00 pm, Talk with Alexander Rose, Executive Director and Clock Project Manager of the Long Now Foundation, an SF-based organization that encourages long-term thinking and ideas. Hear about the mechanical, astronomical Clock that will run for 10,000 years, among other projects designed for extreme longevity.

Perception of Time (Project Lab)

  • 6:30-9:00 pm, Discover how the Ferry Building’s famous clock never misses a beat with the time-tuning gurus from Dorian Clair Antique Clock Repair, and see a time-treasured display of antique clocks.
  • Dig deep with Stanford Archaeology Center and Stanford Anthropology Department. Develop historic interpretations from artifacts and explore various ways that time and the shape of time have been represented across the world, including the Mayan lunisolar calendar.

Time Relativity & Crafts (Swamp)

  • 6:00-10:00 pm, Using gathered materials, create an artistic 3D model of how YOU perceive time with SCRAP—let your imagination be your guide! Plus, talk time relativity with Academy astronomers. 

DJ (Piazza)

  • 6:00-10:00 pm, Dance your way through time with DJ Tanoa’s all-vinyl collection that will move through a new decade every hour.

Note: NightLife planetarium passes are distributed to visitors on a first-come first-served basis.

Food & Drink
A variety of food options are available at NightLife from 6-9:30pm, including The Terrace and pop-up cafe located in the West Garden and The Academy Cafe Food Cart located in the front lobby.

Enjoy a different fresh seasonal "craft on draft" cocktail at each NightLife bar area designed by our resident mixologist Shane McKnight!

Note: All bars accept cash and credit cards.

Exhibit Times

  • 6:00-7:45 pm, Osher Rainforest—explore a lush, four-story rainforest that's teeming with life.

NightLife VIP Tour, Private Lounge, & Group Bookings

Looking for behind-the-scenes access? Join us for a NightLife VIP Tour.

Need a great space to throw a party? Rent out the NightLife Private Lounge. Contact: David Nemoyten (415) 379-5499 / dnemoyten@calacademy.org

Have a group of 10 or more? Contact groupsales@calacademy.org or click here for more information.

Music

Planetarium Shows

6:30 pm

Take a tour of the Universe with a sprinkling of the hottest news stories from astronomy and the space sciences!

7:30 pm, 8:30 pm

Discover how life is connected in Habitat Earth, our latest original planetarium show.

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Upcoming events

February 20th at 6:00 pm

We’re back with another collab with SF staple Noise Pop Music and Arts Festival featuring a DJ set by DāM-FunK.

February 27th at 6:00 pm

Dive into a night of glowing lights and unexpected wonders – where science inspires music and nightlife magic.

March 6th at 6:00 pm

Hold on to your butts! We’re celebrating the opening of our new exhibit, Dino Days, with a colossal party.

March 13th at 6:00 pm

Let your inner child loose alongside 60,000 live animals and explore the Academy at night.

March 20th at 6:00 pm

Mysteries of the deep meet cocktails of the night. Plunge into the deep sea at our new exhibit, Unseen Oceans.

March 27th at 6:00 pm

Join us for our second annual celebration of global connection through music, fashion and dance in the Bay Area.