Tour (5:30 pm, 6 pm, 6:30 pm): Do Shells Collect Shells? with Kimball Garrett (Collections Manager, Ornithology) and Lindsey Groves (Collections Manager Malacology)
What on Earth? is the first exhibit featured in our historic Haaga Family Rotunda. Each architectural case presents enigmatic and visually arresting specimens from NHM's collection. Their stories unfold in a playful series of... [read more]

Tour (5:30 pm, 6 pm, 6:30 pm): Do Shells Collect Shells? with Kimball Garrett (Collections Manager, Ornithology) and Lindsey Groves (Collections Manager Malacology)
What on Earth? is the first exhibit featured in our historic Haaga Family Rotunda. Each architectural case presents enigmatic and visually arresting specimens from NHM's collection. Their stories unfold in a playful series of questions and answers--that often ends with a final "And what do you think?” Each First Friday tour focuses on a single case, as you will learn, in science there are always more questions.

Discussion (6:30 pm): with Dr. Luis Chiappe
Ever since a single fossil feather, and its presumed owner Archaeopteryx, was discovered 150 years ago, the origins of birds have been one of paleontology’s greatest debates. Recent discoveries of feathered dinosaurs in China have only stoked the controversy. Dr. Luis Chiappe is a longtime advocate of the dinosaur-bird link and in this lecture, he’ll examine the evidence in support of the idea that birds are the living descendants of meat eating dinosaurs, and therefore, that dinosaurs are not extinct.

Performances by Gayngs and Special Guest TBA
What started out as a collaboration between Ryan Olson and Solid Gold members Zack Coulter and Adam Hurlburt has spiraled into GAYNGS, a musical project of epic proportions, enlisting the talents of over 25 musicians from across the country. Incorporating the talents of members of Megafaun, Bon Iver, Rhymesayers and more, the group has perfected its refreshing, modern sound and haunting, airy vocals. If you didn’t see GAYNGS at Coachella this year, make sure to check them out at this season’s final First Friday!

DJs (5:30 pm - 10:00 pm)
Resident DJ Anthony Valadez featuring Dan Wilcox
KCRW DJs Anthony Valadez and Dan Wilcox join us in the lounge where you can get your groove on and enjoy the dioramas of the African Mammal Hall.

Anthony Valadez is a Los Angeles based DJ/Producer and visual artist with residencies at Little Temple and Zanzibar, and previously at the legendary Temple Bar prior to its closing. His latest musical projects include remixes for David Bowie and Ozomatli. He has released two full length albums on indie label Recordbreakin. He is a resident DJ at Dublab.com and has a regular program on 89.9 FM KCRW and KCRW.com where he mixes future beats, soulful keys, and tomorrow's samples and sounds.