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Yuri's Night on Sunday, April 12, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Sabina Ibarra/Living Out Loud LA)

Part party and part educational nerd-out, organizers of Yuri’s Night L.A. mashed knowledge with good times.

“The furthest we’ve been as humans is the dark side of the moon and that was in 1972. We have the internet, we have global travel, MRI’s to see the inside of our body to see the functions of it, in vitro fertilization, millions who have died in conflicts all over the world, global positioning satellites and KFC in China,” said astronaut Mae Jemison, as Yuri’s Night began. “That’s how much the world has changed but we haven’t changed that much in space exploration and the reason for that has to do more with commitment than with technology.”

Illuminating the minds of all attending under the space ship Endeavour Sunday night at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The space ship above everyone is the one she actually participated on a mission in as she went on to share her story of wanting to go to space.

Leading professionals in the field of space exploration, including Mohawk guy Bobak Ferdowski from the Mars Rover Landing, artists, writers and science enthusiasts celebrated the breakthroughs we have seen in our lifetime in space. Videos and projections of the maps of all known galaxies were played, exhibit displays were open to read about humanity’s accomplishments.

It was an inspiring night for everyone there. The place was filled with art presentations and Star Wars re-enactments with real droids buzzing about. Members of the 501st were on hand as well. Guests were able to connect with others over their science passion and choice in galactic drinks.

DJ Eva Kim and DJ Wade played throwback tracks from the early millennium for space explorers, aliens and robots to dance to. If you were lucky enough, you could even find the doctor taking on a blue dalek on the dance floor.

Over the course of the evening talking about the importance of reaching space travel in our lifetime bonded strangers who then would go on to make friends over this goal. JPL was on hand to talk Endeavour’s Radar Topography Mission. You could even see on display the 6-foo LED lit, acrylic disk of the Voyager Golden Record which is the centerpiece of the Black Rock City Observatory entrance.

And you could even find yourself talking to people currently working on exciting missions for Space X and Virgin Atlantic which operate near by. Our city is a hub for the future of space exploration and things to do to get involved as enthusiasts to support missions. There was also a plethora of opportunities to find out about exciting events such as Sci-Fest LA which will take place in May.

Though the night took place beneath a ship, the spirit of those who came out spoke to the dreams that in the next hundred years we will indeed be partying among the stars.

To find out more about these kinds of events, visit yurisnight.net.

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