NightLife: Islas

Calling all kaibigan: tropic like it’s hot with a night dedicated to Filipino arts, culture, and science. Experience intricate vinyl acrobatics with world champion DJs Shortkut and Vinroc, alongside Legions of Boom author Oliver Wang. Celebrate the rich culture and community of the Philippines through traditional dances with Parangal Dance Company and a fashion exhibit curated by Asmbly Hall. Plus, dive deep into the Academy’s three decades of conservation research with partners in the Philippines—conducted as part of the Academy’s Hope for Reefs initiative.

Featuring a playlist of Filipinx and Filipinx-American artists, curated by Traktivist.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Record-breaking
African Hall
8:30 PM

• Look, listen, and learn about the evolution of DJ culture in the pivotal decade of the 1990s, with a focus on Filipino American DJs from the Bay Area to New York. Professor Oliver Wang, author of Legions of Boom: Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews in the SF Bay Area, and DJs Shortkut and Vinroc of Triple Threat will explore how overlooked communities of DJs completely transformed the art of turntablism. Learn how specific styles and techniques were introduced to, and eventually dominated the world of performance and competitive deejaying.

Soul of the Islands
Piazza
8:00 & 9:00 PM

• Paying tribute to Philippine heritage, Filipino folk dance group Parangal ignites pinoy pride and identity through cultural dances—many inspired by nature—from the traditional Balamban to the Pandanggo-Oasioas of the Northern Philippines. The Bay Area-based troupe has performed at music and dance festivals all over the world, fostering the preservation and education of Filipino culture with every show.

Thriving Home(s)
African Hall
7:00 PM

• Hear from a panel of Academy and Filipino voices about our ongoing research and collaboration with communities on the ground in the Philippines. From building partnerships between local communities and researchers to monitoring the health of coral reefs, we’ll see just what 30 years of community collaboration looks like. Featuring Pusod, Inc. founder Malou Babilonia, Academy Hope for Reefs partner Meg Burke, ABS-CBN Foundation International director Rea Lopez, and Academy curator (and resident sea slug expert!) Terry Gosliner.

Rich Tapestry
Swamp
All Evening

• Check out a pop-up showcase by San Francisco’s Asmbly Hall featuring a curated mix of Filipino-American fashion, including authentic Philippine fabrics and contemporary creations by Filipino designers.

Cloud Forests & Coral Reefs
Swamp
All Evening

• Meet the Academy experts working in and alongside Philippine communities as part of the Academy’s Islands 2030 initiative to halt biodiversity loss on five tropical archipelagos.
  • Academy fellow Matthew Van Dam will showcase new-to-science Easter egg weevils along with other Philippine island endemic beetles.
  • Academy curator Rayna Bell will display a selection of unique frogs, caecilians, lizards, snakes and turtles from the Philippines—including some new-to-science species.
  • Academy collections manager Chrissy Piotrowski will share specimens from the biodiverse coral reefs of the Philippines.

A few don't-miss NightLife details:

• To help keep staff and guests safe, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry, and boosters and indoor masking are strongly encouraged. Feeling under the weather? Please NightLife another time! View health and safety information here.
   
• Last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 pm—our animals need their sleep.
   
• Morrison Planetarium is now open at NightLife with 4 showtimes. To maximize staff and guest safety, planetarium passes are required and capacity is limited. Passes are available online in advance for an additional $5 while supplies last to reserve a seat at a 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, or 9:30 pm planetarium show. Please see our FAQs for more details. (Please note: A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drink are not permitted inside the planetarium.)
   
• Beverages are available at various bars throughout the building, but food must enjoyed outdoors or in the Academy Cafe only.
   
• NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Photo ID required.
   
• Still have Qs? See our FAQs here.