Door 19: New Evening Soirée

Knock 3.14159 times on Door 19 for admission to an oddly charming evening that will forever change how you think about science. Curated for the curious, Door 19 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is quirky science meets themed soiree, set against a backdrop of live performances, music, potent libations, exclusive behind-the-scenes access, and dinosaurs.

For only four nights this year, participants will have the chance to go beyond the familiar museum galleries and into the research specimen collections that are off-limits to visitors. There, Academy experts will bring their coolest specimens out to play.

In this new program for adults only, the Academy’s rogue scientists will go a little bit off script to share their incredible knowledge—from prohibition-era mixology to dinosaur foreplay. You’ll be reminded that no, in fact, you haven’t seen it all—far from it.

Curated for the curious, the new Door 19 evening program for adults offers quirky science, encounters with live animals, special access to the collections, and more. Photo by William McGinnis/ANS

The Mating Game, Feb. 8

The first Door 19 will happen Thursday, Feb. 8, from 6–9 p.m., in partnership with 8 Oaks Distillery. The theme is “The Mating Game”—appropriate as the lead up to Valentine’s Day—and you must be 21 and older to attend.

Mating—all living things do it, but sometimes it seems the wild kingdom does it a bit weirder than humans do. The Academy staff will carefully select museum specimens from their world-renowned collection, plus engaging live animals to reveal unique courtship rituals, dinosaur foreplay, and other sexy secrets of the animal world.

Participants can warm up at the open bar featuring Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, then sing and dance through mating calls and courtship rituals, go on a “blind date” in the diorama and dinosaur halls, eat great food, and much more.

A premium ticket includes guided behind-the-scenes tours of the natural history collections featuring bodacious birds and those surprisingly sexy beasts, the diatoms. Tours start at 6 p.m. and are limited in space, so sign up early.

For more details and to register, visit Door19philly.com. Tickets are $75 and $125, with a $15 early bird discount if you register by Jan. 15. Academy members can save an additional $10 per ticket.

More Door 19s

Mark your calendar for more Door 19 experiences and reserve you place at ansp.org/door19.

  • Thursday, April 12. Theme: Off The Hook, in partnership with Flying Fish Brewing Co.
  • Thursday, June 14. Theme: Boozy Botanicals, in partnership with Boardroom Spirits Distillery
  • Thursday, October 18. Theme: Skeletons in our Closet, in partnership with Eight Oaks Craft Distillers

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *