Yesterday evening, I made the trip down from Philadelphia  to Washington, DC to help out as a volunteer for Yuri’s Night DC at NASA Goddard, one of our first events for 2009. I’m pleased to say that the 4-hour round trip was more than worth it, as I had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of space enthusiasts and partiers celebrate all evening long at the Goddard Visitors’ Center.

This was, I have to admit, my first visit to Goddard, and I was really impressed with the center as a whole and how the Goddard employees and other volunteers had decked it out for Yuri’s Night. Most of the exhibits were still left open and unblocked for first-timers like me, but in between the interactive programs and giant Hubble Deep Field photos were pizza stands, information desks and signs directing attendees to all the activities. A dance tent was set up between the center and the “rocket garden” (which was also open), and one room had been turned into a stage for the band Middle Distance Runner, as well as a center for purchasing drink tickets and Yuri’s Night gear.

The first Yuri's Night guests arrive at NASA Goddard

One of the most prominent exhibits of the evening was the Hubble Space Telescope created by Charm City Cakes, a fantastic bakery seen by millions on the Food Network show Ace of Cakes. Quite a few feet in length and hung in the center of the visitor center’s main gallery, this replica was created to be a bit more durable than most of their creations so, as YNDC director Amy Pruett noted, “we could enjoy it for a bit longer”. Charm City Cakes provided some more edible–and delicious–goods which the partygoers enjoyed after a short speech about the work currently being done with Hubble and a cake-cutting ceremony.

The HST replica itself

One of the cakes that CCC delivered in addition to the Hubble centerpiece

Attendees were encouraged to come decked in their best sci-fi attire, and many answered the call. Star Wars was the best-represented of the groups, with representatives from the 501st and Rebel Legions, as well as the local R2D2 Builders’ Club and Yuri’s Night Executive Director Loretta Whitesides herself portraying Princess Leia to a T. There were plenty of Star Trek enthusiasts, though, along with a full-size replica of The Robot from Lost in Space and a few outfits I didn’t even recognize.

Not an uncommon sight at Yuri's Night Goddard

Of course, the evening wasn’t just about dancing and Darth Vader. In addition to the well-received performance by Middle Distance Runner and the “Are You Smarter Than A Rocket Scientist?” space quiz, YN Goddard was host to two standing-room-only demonstrations of their Science on a Sphere. I wasn’t able to catch the first session with Jim Garvin, but I was able to make the next presentation by Deputy Director Laurie Leshin. If you’re in the DC area and, by some chance, haven’t yet been to NASA Goddard, Science on a Sphere is worth the trip alone. Even if you aren’t the sort of person to naturally be interested in, say, aerosol distribution or Arctic sea ice levels, you’ll change your mind after visiting.

Dr. Leshin with the Sphere

On the whole, the event was a rousing success; most everyone we talked to had a fantastic time and were looking forward to coming back next year. If you attended YN Goddard and you’re reading this–thanks for coming! We couldn’t have done it without you.

Yuri's Night banner

[Want to provide an after-the-fact report for your Yuri's Night event? Send your words, pictures and videos to brice at yurisnight dot net.]

Yuri’s Night Houston has traditionally been one of the most consistently exciting parties in the YN cornucopia, and this year’s event is sure not to disappoint. The day begins with the sixth annual Yuri’s Night 5K Fun Run/Walk, starting at 8 AM on April 4th at Challenger Park. All proceeds are being donated to the Challenger Center, an international organization dedicated to promoting space and science education for students and children. Online registration is currently closed, but you can still show up early Saturday to sign up and take part.

After getting some rest during the day, YN Houston participants will be heading to The Meridian, an exciting new venue in the center of Houston, for the Yuri’s Night Celebration, starting at 8:30 PM. (Doors open at 8.) DJing, live music, door prizes and space exhibits will provide entertainment all evening long–but make sure to be present for the Zero-G raffle, sponsored by Jacobs Technology. All attendees will receive a raffle ticket, and during the event, one lucky partygoer will be selected to take a trip on an actual Zero-G flight! Admission tickets are $10 and include the cost of the raffle ticket; VIP tickets are $30 and must be bought in advance. For more information, visit http://yurisnighthouston.net/; tickets can be bought online through Ticketmaster. Other YN Houston sponsors include Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and ERC. YN Houston is hosted by the Houston Section of the AIAA.

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A bit further east, Yuri’s Night Space Coast is planning their own all-day extravaganza. The day kicks off at 8:30 AM on the 4th with a 5K Fun Run at Lori Wilson Park on the coast of Cocoa Beach; race registration is $10 and includes a gift bag, along with water and Tang stations. All proceeds go to non-profit organizations. Also in Lori Wilson Park, from 8:30 to noon, is the Education Expo, co-hosted by NASA and the National Space Society. Space enthusiasts of all ages are welcome to come out and learn about the latest programs at NASA.

From 7 PM to 10, YN Space Coast will be closing the day’s activities with a “Space Invasion” celebration at The Redhead in Port Canaveral. Music, drink specials, raffle prizes, and a space-themed costume contest will keep the entertainment going throughout the evening. Admission is a $5 cover charge at the door. For more information about Yuri’s Night Space Coast, visit http://yurisnightspacecoast.com/. YNSC is a project of the Florida Space Coast chapter of the National Space Society and the Launching Leaders Group at Kennedy Space Center.

On April 11, 2009, ABJ Productions hosts its second Yuri’s Night, an extravaganza of other-worldly magnitude. This year’s event, entitled Countdown to Yuri’s Night, combines visual art, performance, and music to commemorate the first human space flight.

“You don’t need a degree in science to appreciate the beauty and potential of human space flight,” says producer Jared Davis, who has a self-proclaimed man-crush on William Shatner (as Captain Kirk, of course). “This Yuri’s Night event gives artists working in many genres a chance to imagine the holiday in a way that is accessible to the average earthling.”

Over twenty visual artists will exhibit work that celebrates, reflects, and imagines space, from hard-core science to the low-brow culture. Many are innovators of Pop-Surrealism, Post-Pop, and/or Lowbrow styles which frequently and freely embrace the imagery of science fiction and mid-century tropes. While these artists do not exclusively create work about space, Countdown to Yuri’s Night is an opportunity to assemble an inter-galactic art exhibition representing many interpretations on the theme. The exhibition is also available for viewing and purchase online at www.outofthisworldparty.com.

Taking the stage for two performance orbits (9 pm and 11 pm) is a Burlesque Space Show with an all-star line- up. The show features Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey, Miss Saturn, returning to Yuri’s Night for a second year, and Dieter’s Dance Party Drill Team (DDP).

Miss Saturn at Yuri's Night '08

Countdown to Yuri’s Night welcomes Atomic Mosquitos for two stellar sets. This band is rumored to have been transformed in a fortunate(?) accident on Three Mile Island that changed them into surf music-playing freaks. These rockin’ mutants play infectious tunes sprinkled with the spacey sound of a Theremin. With songs like “Alien Round-up” and “Planet from Outer Space,” we could not blast off without them!

Countdown to Yuri’s Night also includes a Weird Science Fair, no longer just for middle school…; an Alien Egg Hunt–taking a cue from the Easter Bunny, aliens have hidden eggs all over the Warehouse with extraterrestrial matter inside; a Celestial Costume Contest, and last but not least, Chief Boogie Officer DJ P.Vo will be on board all night in the gallery spinning inter-stellar tunes that will bounce your moonwalk.

Oh, and did we mention the vodka? Countdown to Yuri’s Night is pleased to welcome back Stolichnaya Vodka—The Official Party Vodka, for a second year. With $4 drink specials all night long, party travelers can get ready to blast off with some Stoli cosmic concoctions.

Countdown to Yuri’s Night is April 11, 2009 from 8 pm – 2 am. This is a 21 and over party at The Warehouse Arts Complex (1021 7th Street, NW). Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.outofthisworldparty.com for tickets, artist links, and event announcements.

(DC space enthusiasts get double the chances to party! On April 4th, NASA Goddard and the Space Generation Advisory Council are hosting a Yuri’s Night event in Greenbelt, MD. Visit http://dc.yurisnight.net/ for more details–and stay tuned for another YNDC announcement tomorrow!)

Add your Yuri's Night 2008 photos on Flickr

• If you have photos from last years Yuri’s Night events, please share them on the Yuri’s Night Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/yurisnight/
• If you are on Facebook, join the YN Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2218156280
• If you Twitter, follow YN on Twitter, and re-tweet to spread the word, referencing @yurisnight and #YN2009: http://twitter.com/YurisNight

Yuri’s Night is proud to be involved with this effort, and suggests that all interested YN parties look at working with local IYA efforts such as the 100 Hours of Astronomy. For more information about the International Year of Astronomy or its affiliated events, please visit http://www.astronomy2009.org/

This year, Yuri’s Night will not be confined to just one night, but festivities will expand to the entire week between April 4th to the 12th. Register your party today!
Start Date: 2009-04-04
End Date: 2009-04-12

Yuri’s Night and a consortia of other space organizations, in partnership with American Forests, have created a project to bring Earth and Space a little closer together. We are planting a Space Explorers’ Forest near Mojave, California, replacing trees that burned in the 2003 San Bernardino fires through the American Forests Global ReLeaf program. It will be a place that everyone will know was planted by people committed to space and committed to making a difference on Earth.

If you, your group, or your company would like to join us in taking a stand and saying that Space is all about managing our resources and honoring the home planet, please log on now. Go towww.americanforest.org  click “donate now”, and when it asks for the project you wish the funds to go to click, “Space Explorers’ Forest” or just click here. Every $2 donation plants a tree in the Space Explorers’ Forest.  All donations are tax deductible. A portion of the proceeds will go to continuing to make space programming available to the next generation of space explorers. You can get a certificate suitable for giving. A “Global ReLeaf” customized PDF is even downloadable for printing and instant giving over the holidays!

So plant your trees in the Space Explorers’ Forest today and our earth will have a healthier tomorrow!

You can also purchase your very own Moon Sycamore seedling from American Forests’ Famous & Historic Tree selection to plant at home or in your community.Your Moon Sycamore is a descendant of a tree grown from seeds taken into Moon orbit on the Apollo 14 mission by astronaut Stuart Roosa former smoke jumper with the US Forest Service. The original seeds were germinated, and Moon Trees now grow at the White House, the National Arboretum, and on the campuses of various universities.  If you would like to buy a historic Moon tree for planting at your own house, they are available from the American Forests Historic Nursery.  A portion of proceeds from your purchase goes to space programming. Use promotion code moonforest09 when ordering.

http://yurisnight.net/2009/register-your-2009-party/

to officially register your Yuri’s Night party. All registrations are being handled manually at this point, so we apologize for any delays.

The new and improved main YN09 site will be up on January 1st, so make sure to check back then. Please send us any feedback and thanks for helping us rock the planet!