Frist Fridays returns to Natural History Museum of LA County Jan. 6

Live music, cutting edge authors, lively science discussion, and curatorial tours converge at First Fridays, the popular after-hours series that returns to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) on Friday, January 6, 2012 and runs through June 1. The new season, “This Time It’s Personal,” includes a slate of speakers that explore new side of science — the people behind it, and their passions. Speakers include Michael Shermer, Amy Parish, Michael Brown, Jared Diamond, Amy Stewart, and Jonah Lehrer. Tickets are available online at www.nhm.org/firstfridays.



Resuming his post to moderate discussions is Dr. Michael W. Quick, Department of Biological Sciences and Executive Vice Provost at USC. Quick says that what’s new this year is a focus on the visiting scientists as passionate people. “The act of discovery is an art, and in that way, any of us could be scientists,” he explained. “If we could explain that better, we’d have a world of scientists out there, because it’s really about just wondering, and trying to figure things out, solving puzzles, getting excited and wanting to know more. That’s science!”



Join us at First Fridays 2012 as we all become scientists for a night — discussing topics that range from bugs to beliefs and from primates to Pluto.



KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez returns as resident in the DJ Lounge for the series, with special guest appearances by other DJs from the public radio station (heard on air at 89.9FM and online at KCRW.com) each month. As in past seasons, music lovers will pack in to NHM’s North American Mammal Hall to watch some of the hottest indie bands of the year. Headlining the first three dates are Mariachi El Bronx (January 6), The Soft Moon (February 3), and Zola Jesus (March 2). Spaceland productions will once again be handling music talent.



2012 SEASON DATES:

January 6, 2012 – “The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths” with Dr. Michael Shermer

February 3, 2012 – “The New Science of Darwinian Feminism Evolutionary Insights From Bonobo Social and Sexual Interactions” with Dr. Amy Parish

March 2, 2012 – “How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming” with Dr. Michael Brown

** March 30, 2012 – “Is It Good or Bad That the World Has so Many Languages” with Dr. Jared Diamond

May 4, 2012 – “Wicked Bugs — Fearsome and Ferocious Creatures in Your Backyard and Beyond” with Amy Stewart

June 1, 2012 – “The Imagination Is Made of Other People” with Jonah Lehrer
** This date replaces the first Friday of April, which is Good Friday



Visit www.nhm.org/firstfridays for:

· Performance photos

· Past discussions available as downloadable podcasts via iTunes

· Online ticketing



TICKET INFORMATION

Concert + Museum admission pass, available for $18, grants a guaranteed spot in the concert hall (no more waiting in line to enter!), Museum admission, and first come, first served access to the guided tour and discussion.

Museum Admission Only, available for our regular Museum rates of $2-$12, includes first come, first served access to the guided tour and discussion, as well as access to the DJ Lounge and the Museum’s many exciting galleries. This ticket does not, however, provide access to the concert hall.

Museum Annual Pass + Concert ($40-$60), available for 1 or 2 Adults, will provide a guaranteed spot in the First Fridays concert hall, unlimited general admission for one year, as well as first come, first served access to the rest of this season’s First Fridays guided tours and discussions.

Museum Annual Pass Only ($40-$70), available for 1 Adult, 2 Adults or Family, will provide unlimited general admission for one year, as well as first come, first served access to the rest of this season’s First Fridays guided tours, and discussions. This ticket does not guarantee access to the concert hall.



First Friday admission includes full access to open Museum galleries. Access to the concert hall is guaranteed only with the purchase of a "Concert + Museum Admission" or a "Concert + Annual Pass" ticket through this site. Guided tour and discussion are available on a first come, first served basis.


It is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance as capacity for the evening is limited and often sells out early. There will be a limited number of tickets sold on-site the evening of the event; however, once on-site tickets are sold out, admission to the Museum and/or Concert will not be available. Annual Pass is non-transferrable.



WHERE

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90007. For more information, visit NHM’s website at www.nhm.org or call (213) 763-DINO. Parking ($8) is available in the NHM Car Park, just north of the NHM building. Parking is also available in patrolled Exposition Park lots on Bill Robertson Lane, across from NHM (this lot is not owned by NHM, and though parking is usually $10, prices can vary at special events). Bill Robertson Lane is accessible from Exposition Blvd. Cash only at all lots.