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Speaking of Music Rewind

In celebration of the Exploratorium’s 40th Anniversary, we’ve been combing through our archives and revisiting our rich history. One gem we discovered is the highly regarded Speaking of Music series, which was co-presented by the Exploratorium, Charles Amirkhanian and KPFA radio, and produced by Mr. Amirkhanian from 1983 to 1991. In the series, conversations between Mr. Amirkhanian and prominent musicians and composers took place before a live audience in the Exploratorium’s McBean Theater or in the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. The conversations, which were often interspersed with brief performances, focused on the creative process, and there was always ample time for the audience to interact with the artists. The programs, which featured artists such as Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, and Phillip Glass, were recorded and later broadcast by KPFA. We’re releasing these archived files as a podcast series called “Speaking of Music Rewind,” which will launch with four episodes in November 2009. We’ll publish… Event Type: Special Program. Event Group: Fortieth. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/40th/podcasts.html. Friday, March 19, 2010.

Black Sand Treasure Hunt

Hit the beach in search of elusive "black sand" (aka the magnetic mineral magnetite) at Ocean Beach. Tools and materials will be provided, and we'll send you home with black sand, magnets, and an activity sheet so you can make your own miniature Black Sand exhibit--just like the one at the Exploratorium. We'll meet at Vicente Street and Great Highway. Event Type: Members Only. Web site: http://exploratorium.edu/membership/. Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Ocean Beach.

Physics of Toys: Let's Make Some Noise

Feeling ho-hum? Drum up some fun making toys that squawk, boom, buzz, and roar! All Physics of Toys materials are provided, and you can take what you make! For ages 6 and up. Event Type: Special Program. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Saturday, March 20, 2010, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Replay: Inside the Exploratorium Film Collection - Quiet Recognition

With filmmaker Jeanne Liotta here in person! Curated by Nicole Minor “The Exploratorium film collection gives a privileged view into transformative worlds that inspire us to see in new ways. This collection affords us the chance to more deeply observe the world that surrounds us, both sky and earth, and to contemplate light, reflection, and natural phenomena. For this program, I am matching two films from the collection, All My Life and Traveling Light, with two films that I think speak of cinema as visual inspiration and poetry.” —Nicole Minor Observando el Cielo (2007, 19 min.), by Jeanne Liotta, captures seven years of celestial field recordings gathered from the chaos of the cosmos and inscribed onto 16mm film from various locations on Earth. Natural VLF (very low frequency) radio recordings of the magnetosphere in action allow the universe to speak for itself. Ikarus (1974, 2 min.), by Hans Breder with camera work by Chuck Hudina, presents a visually alluring slow-motion dive from the… Event Type: Film. Event Group: Fortieth. Museum area: McBean Theater. Saturday, March 20, 2010, 2:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Nanomedicine: Tiny Science, Big Questions

** WE'RE SORRY, BUT THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT Did you know there may be nanotechnology in your sunscreen? Nanoparticles are being used in a wide array of products from cosmetics to chemotherapy, but little is known about the long term implications of nanomaterials in our bodies and the environment. Be part of a lively discussion at the Bazaar Cafe on Wednesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. and explore some of the questions around this emerging field of medicine. No knowledge of nanotechnology is required, just an open mind. Space is limited at this Ask a Scientist event, so please RSVP as soon as possible. Event Type: Lecture. RSVP: https://www.novisystems.com/NoviSurvey/n/ExploForumRegistration.aspx. Event partner: http://www.askascientistsf.com. Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 7:00 PM. Bazaar Cafe 5927 California Street San Francisco, CA.

March Madness for the Mind

This Year, the Exploratorium hosts the annual student inventors' fair taking its name from the US collegiate basketball tournament known as March Madness. In this event, 14 teams of high school and college students display innovations and inventions that primarily target the National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance (NCIIA), a network of more than 200 universities promoting innovation by underwriting and mentoring teams of college student inventors. Event Type: Special Program. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Friday, March 26, 2010 – Saturday, March 27, 2010. Exploratorium.

Open MAKE: A Program to Inspire Young Makers

Inspire your inner inventor! With the help of local Makers (artists, craftspeople, and inventors), Open MAKE will introduce you to a variety of tinkering possibilities while encouraging a pilot group of Young Makers to realize their own inventions in time for this year’s Maker Faire. A collaboration between Pixar, TechShop, and the Exploratorium, the Young Makers program mentors middle and high school students in building projects that meld math and science with craft and creative inspiration. Each public Saturday program will feature different Makers and focus on a particular theme, such as circuit-based critters or playing with sound. Sit in on an interview hosted by MAKE magazine’s founder and editor Dale Dougherty, then visit the Studio where guest speakers and other Makers will discuss and show their work. You can also roll up your sleeves and tinker with familiar and not-so-familiar materials to create a project of your own. Activities are intended for ages 12 and up. January 30: Bristlebots &… Event Type: Special Program. Saturday, March 27, 2010. Exploratorium.

Replay: Inside the Exploratorium Film Collection - Call and Response With filmmakers Matt Yoka and Angelica Loza in Person

Curated by Melinda Stone “Liz Keim and the Exploratorium film collection were, fortunately for me, two of the first entities I met when I moved to San Francisco 12 years ago. One of the first films Liz showed me from her eclectic collection was A Trip Down Market Street 1905, which captures the cacophony of this turn-of-the-century street from the front of a trolley car slowly rumbling toward the Ferry Building. I remember very clearly just seconds after the film was over, looking at Liz, and saying, ‘We must do a centennial celebration of that remarkable film.’ And we did just that. A Trip Down Market Street 2005 was made in both HD and 35 mm black and white film and screened at the foot of Market Street. For this program, both films will be screened side by side. “The way Liz speaks about her films as catalysts for re-envisioning the world around us has inspired me and it is without hesitation that each semester I bring my students from USF to experience film viewing at the Exploratorium. Panorama… Event Type: Film. Event Group: Fortieth. Museum area: McBean Theater. Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Exploratorium After Dark: Risk Everything

Cocktails, conversation, and Adult-Oriented Programming 6:00–10:00 p.m. Bar opens at 6:00 p.m. Play the odds at April's After Dark event. Tonight we speculate on risk and probability with experiments and demonstrations designed to test your threshold for taking chances. We'll investigate different kinds of risk such gambling, calculating the odds, and comparing actual versus perceived dangers. Plus, we'll offer entertaining social experiments for wallflowers and social butterflies alike. Whether you're reckless or reserved, we wager you'll enjoy venturing After Dark. About Exploratorium After Dark Find out what’s happening at Exploratorium After Dark. New, extended evening hours on the first Thursday of every month mix cocktails, conversation, and adult-oriented programming in science and the arts. Each night will showcase a different theme, which might include live performances, films, and new media, or feature cutting-edge technology and unexpected extravaganzas. Programs will be playful, unusual,… Event Type: Special Hours. Event Group: AfterDark. Cost: $15 regular admission Free for members. Buy tickets: http://www.mtn.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=820&pid=210048967. RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=69600343367. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/afterdark/. Thursday, April 1, 2010, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Replay: Inside the Exploratorium Film Collection - Cinematic Rhythms on the Rails with Toshio Hirano Performing Live

Curated by Cinema Arts Program Director Liz Keim “Fascinated by the rhythmical relationship between the films, music, and locomotives, I decided to pair short train films from the collection with local filmmaker Oscar Buchar’s Waiting for A Train (2009), which profiles musician Toshio Hirano. Although the Replay series was to be presented entirely by guest curators, I became envious of my colleagues and could not resist participating in this community celebration of the Exploratorium film collection!” —Liz Keim Waiting for a Train: The Toshio Hirano Story (2009, 20 min.), by Oscar Bucher, tracks a forty-year love affair with country music, from Tokyo to Tennessee to San Francisco. Born in Japan in the 1950s, Toshio Hirano became interested in country music as a teenager. Inspired by the Mississippi legend Jimmie Rodgers, he later emigrated to the US to pursue his love of the music. Daybreak Express (1958, 5 min.), by D.A. Pennebaker, plays with tempo and reflection on a New York elevated train. Set… Event Type: Film. Event Group: Fortieth. Museum area: McBean Theater. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Saturday, April 3, 2010, 2:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Reading Sea and Sky

Visit the Webcast Studio for an inside look at the research and actual voyages behind Never Lost, our new Web site on Polynesian navigation. A giant star compass representing those used in teaching traditional navigation techniques extends across the floor. Surround-sound speakers will play sounds and stories recorded in Hawai'i by Exploratorium staff, while screens show video-poems of the islands. Event Type: Webcast. Museum area: Phyllis Wattis Webcast Studio. Cost: Included in the price of general admission - $15. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. More info: http://explo.tv. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/neverlost. Tuesday, April 6, 2010 – Sunday, May 9, 2010. Exploratorium.

Free Day

Museum admission is free the first Wednesday of every month. Event Type: Special Hours. Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Exploratorium.

Bicycle Science at Crissy Field

How do you stop and steer a bicycle? What forces keep it from falling over? Join Exploratorium educator Ken Finn for cycle science and skillbuilding. Learn how to fix a flat tire, gear up for a ride to the Wave Organ—a wave-activated acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in the San Francisco Bay, and continue on to Outdoor Exploratorium at Fort Mason. Meet by the wind sock at the Crissy Field restrooms. Event Type: Members Only. Cost: Price is $15 per person. To ensure safety, all participants must have their own bikes and helmets and be capable of riding a total distance of 3 miles. Children must be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Web site: http://exploratorium.edu/membership/. Saturday, April 10, 2010, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Replay: Inside the Exploratorium Film Collection - La Jetée with new score by Wayne Grim

Curated by Wayne Grim La Jetée (1962, 28 min.), winner of the Jean Vigo Prize for best short film, is a black-and-white science fiction film by Chris Marker. Constructed almost entirely from still photos, this exhilarating tale recounts a post-nuclear war experiment in time travel. This screening will be accompanied by a live performance of an original score by Wayne Grim. An ensemble of 8 musicians will both read traditional notation and improvise to the film, which has been part of the Exploratorium’s collection since 1985. “La Jetée represents an interesting set of compositional problems, being made entirely of black-and-white still photos, containing narration but no dialogue. In contrast to the film, the music is one continuous gesture of seven equal sections. The narration has been sonically re-interpreted and becomes a musical and textural element.” —Wayne Grim Wayne Grim is a composer, improviser, and sound artist residing in the Bay Area. He has performed, recorded, and collaborated with… Event Type: Film. Museum area: McBean Theater. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Saturday, April 10, 2010, 2:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Speaking of Music Rewind

In celebration of the Exploratorium’s 40th Anniversary, we’ve been combing through our archives and revisiting our rich history. One gem we discovered is the highly regarded Speaking of Music series, which was co-presented by the Exploratorium, Charles Amirkhanian and KPFA radio, and produced by Mr. Amirkhanian from 1983 to 1991. In the series, conversations between Mr. Amirkhanian and prominent musicians and composers took place before a live audience in the Exploratorium’s McBean Theater or in the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. The conversations, which were often interspersed with brief performances, focused on the creative process, and there was always ample time for the audience to interact with the artists. The programs, which featured artists such as Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, and Phillip Glass, were recorded and later broadcast by KPFA. We’re releasing these archived files as a podcast series called “Speaking of Music Rewind,” which will launch with four episodes in November 2009. We’ll publish… Event Type: Special Program. Event Group: Fortieth. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/40th/podcasts.html. Friday, April 16, 2010.

Physics of Toys: Green Gadgets for a Blue Planet

Materials are provided--take home what you make! Recommended for ages 6 and up, but all are welcome. Prepare for Earth Day by building pinwheel turbines, plastic bottle water filters, and other earth-friendly gadgets. Event Type: Special Program. Museum area: Skylight area. Cost: Included in the price of general admission - $15. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Saturday, April 17, 2010, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Replay: Inside the Exploratorium Film Collection - Cinematic Wonders: Educational Film Reinvente

Curated by Marina McDougall “I first discovered the Exploratorium Cinema Arts Program 20 years ago as a student of documentary film at Stanford. I fell spellbound to the way films were shown in the context of this one-of-a-kind public institution dedicated to curiosity and wonder. In this program, I’ll screen a series of personally revelatory films that deepened my understanding of the art of seeing and knowing. I’ll accompany these cinematic gems that were highly influential to my ways of thinking with a delightful and poetic study of marine marvels by Jean Painlevé.” —Marina McDougall Ear to the Ground (1982, 5 min.), by Jon Sanborn and Kit Fitzgerald, follows percussionist extraordinaire David Van Tieghem. Using Manhattan as his musical instrument, Van Tieghem plays sidewalks, buildings, and phone booths to create a streetwise symphony of struck sounds. Frames of Reference (1960, 26 min.), by Richard Leacock, utilizes a fascinating set wherein rotating furniture occupy surprisingly unpredictable… Event Type: Film. Event Group: Fortieth. Museum area: McBean Theater. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Saturday, April 17, 2010, 2:00 PM. Exploratorium.

ArtShop: Building Sculpture with Light

Can any of the Exploratorium’s exhibits be considered works of art? What sets them apart from the priceless artworks in traditional museums? This new exploration for teens ages 14–17 combines a specially designed tour of the museum's exhibit collections with a hands-on, collaborative workshop. We’ll compare selected exhibits with established “works of art,” talk about how human perception influences the way we think about art, and then work in groups to create light-based sculptures inspired by museum exhibits using a host of everyday materials. Event Type: Workshop. Cost: $25 for Members and $35 for non Members. Buy tickets: http://www.exploratorium.edu/membership/workshops.html. Presenter: Exploratorium arts educators Jordan Stein and Noah Rauch. Web site: http://exploratorium.edu/membership/. Sunday, April 18, 2010, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Exploratorium.

Open MAKE: A Program to Inspire Young Makers

Inspire your inner inventor! With the help of local Makers (artists, craftspeople, and inventors), Open MAKE will introduce you to a variety of tinkering possibilities while encouraging a pilot group of Young Makers to realize their own inventions in time for this year’s Maker Faire. A collaboration between Pixar, TechShop, and the Exploratorium, the Young Makers program mentors middle and high school students in building projects that meld math and science with craft and creative inspiration. Each public Saturday program will feature different Makers and focus on a particular theme, such as circuit-based critters or playing with sound. Sit in on an interview hosted by MAKE magazine’s founder and editor Dale Dougherty, then visit the Studio where guest speakers and other Makers will discuss and show their work. You can also roll up your sleeves and tinker with familiar and not-so-familiar materials to create a project of your own. Activities are intended for ages 12 and up. January 30: Bristlebots &… Event Type: Special Program. Saturday, April 24, 2010. Exploratorium.

Free Day

Museum admission is free the first Wednesday of every month. Event Type: Special Hours. Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Exploratorium.

Exploratorium After Dark: 'Imiākea: Navigating Polynesian Art and Science

Cocktails, conversation, and Adult-Oriented Programming Special Evening Hours: Open Until 10 p.m. the First Thursday of Every Month To celebrate Never Lost, our new Web site on Polynesian navigation, enjoy Hawaiian music and hands-on science. During the evening, expert ocean navigator Kalepa Baybayan will share some of the astounding non-instrument techniques that have enabled Pacific Islanders to cross the Pacific for thousands of years. Award-winning slack key guitarist Makana will also play. Only 31, he has toured the world numerous times with regular appearances on the mainland United States (including a recent White House performance for the Obamas). , Steering a Voyaging Canoe | (c) Exploratorium; Photo credit: Amy Snyder Find out what’s happening at Exploratorium After Dark. New, extended evening hours on the first Thursday of every month mix cocktails, conversation, and adult-oriented programming in science and the arts. Each night will showcase a different theme, which might include live… Event Type: Special Hours. Event Group: AfterDark. Cost: $15 regular admission Free for members. Buy tickets: http://www.mtn.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=820&pid=210048967. RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=69600343367. More info: http://www.exploratorium.edu/neverlost/. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/afterdark/. Thursday, May 6, 2010, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Voyages of Discovery: Exploring the Ocean Frontier

As the Okeanos Explorer embarks upon its maiden voyage, we'll begin a long-term investigation into the world's oceans and the mysterious life therein. Recent discoveries, feeds from the ship, data visualizations, seafloor maps, and more are all part of our long-term partnership with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Event Type: Webcast. Museum area: Phyllis Wattis Webcast Studio. Cost: Included in the price of general admission - $15. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Web site: http://explo.tv. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 – Friday, June 18, 2010. Exploratorium.

Physics of Toys: Biology of Toys: Natural Curiosities

Materials are provided--take home what you make! Recommended for ages 6 and up, but all are welcome. Explore the science of plants with colored carnations, maple seed helicopters, and do-it-yourself "Chia Pets.". Event Type: Special Program. Museum area: Skylight area. Cost: Included in the price of general admission - $15. Buy tickets: http://tickets.exploratorium.edu. Saturday, May 15, 2010, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Conversations on Sustainable Architecture

Exploratorium Members are invited to join their older adult peers from five Bay Area OLLIs (Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes) to explore the topic of sustainable architecture. A panel discussion with OLLI faculty will be followed by explorations of related museum exhibits. Lunch will be served at the nearby Chrissy Field Visitor Center, where staff will share insights about the creation of this exciting new, green facility. Space is limited, so please register soon, $40 for Members. Event Type: Members Only. Cost: $40, Members only. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/membership. Monday, May 17, 2010, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Speaking of Music Rewind

In celebration of the Exploratorium’s 40th Anniversary, we’ve been combing through our archives and revisiting our rich history. One gem we discovered is the highly regarded Speaking of Music series, which was co-presented by the Exploratorium, Charles Amirkhanian and KPFA radio, and produced by Mr. Amirkhanian from 1983 to 1991. In the series, conversations between Mr. Amirkhanian and prominent musicians and composers took place before a live audience in the Exploratorium’s McBean Theater or in the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. The conversations, which were often interspersed with brief performances, focused on the creative process, and there was always ample time for the audience to interact with the artists. The programs, which featured artists such as Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno, and Phillip Glass, were recorded and later broadcast by KPFA. We’re releasing these archived files as a podcast series called “Speaking of Music Rewind,” which will launch with four episodes in November 2009. We’ll publish… Event Type: Special Program. Event Group: Fortieth. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/40th/podcasts.html. Friday, May 21, 2010.

Members Appreciation Night: Time Machine

Everything old is new again at our fantastical, historical, incredible Members Appreciation Party. Come in your best Victorian, Edwardian, or steampunk attire and rewrite history with hands-on activities, live entertainment, refreshments, and museumwide exploration. Watch for your invitation in the mail. Event Type: Members Only. Web site: http://exploratorium.edu/membership/. Friday, May 21, 2010, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Exploratorium.

Museum Open Memorial Day

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day. Event Type: Special Hours. Monday, May 31, 2010. Exploratorium.

Free Day

Museum admission is free the first Wednesday of every month. Event Type: Special Hours. Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Exploratorium.

Exploratorium After Dark: Time

Cocktails, conversation, and Adult-Oriented Programming Special Evening Hours: Open Until 10 p.m. the First Thursday of Every Month As springtime ebbs and the summer solstice approaches, After Dark considers time. Throughout the evening, you'll be able to experiment with stopped, slow, quick, detectable, and undetectable time through special exhibits, artworks, and presentations, including a mind-bending tour of Einstein's theory of relativity by Senior Scientist Thomas Humphrey. Find out what’s happening at Exploratorium After Dark. New, extended evening hours on the first Thursday of every month mix cocktails, conversation, and adult-oriented programming in science and the arts. Each night will showcase a different theme, which might include live performances, films, and new media, or feature cutting-edge technology and unexpected extravaganzas. Programs will be playful, unusual, and content-rich, and address the science behind topics of adult interest—from gambling, alcohol, fashion, and sex to… Event Type: Special Hours. Event Group: AfterDark. Cost: $15 regular admission Free for members. Buy tickets: http://www.mtn.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=820&pid=210048967. RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=69600343367. Web site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/afterdark/. Thursday, June 3, 2010, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Exploratorium.