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

January 9th at 6:00 pm

Explore the Academy at night and jump-start 2025 alongside nearly 60,000 live animals.

January 16th at 6:00 pm

See what’s revealed once the sun goes down and explore the nocturnal side of the Academy.

January 23rd at 6:00 pm

Start your weekend early at NightLife – we won't tell! Claude and the rainforest are waiting for you.

January 30th at 6:00 pm

Local treasures, tasty treats, LED lion dances. It’s time to ring in the year of the snake the NightLife way.

February 13th at 6:00 pm

Blow a kiss to our African penguins and 60,000 other creatures when you explore the Academy at night.

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.