Have you found a way to beat our lovely summer heat? If not how about taking a trip down to The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles where you can take in the cool air and some pretty cool exhibits too! Here are a few of the upcoming events the museum has in store.

Sunday, July 5th 2:00 p.m. B-Movies and Bad Science

Come Discover the “science” behind Hollywood’s creature films. You’ll learn what makes these big bad bugs and these movie plots implausible off screen, and get to see some of their live counterparts from the museum’s collection. The film for the day will be “he Beggining of the End” (1957). You will witness larger than life Grasshoppers causing mayhem on the streets, not to worry Entomology Curator Brian Brown will be on site to ease your worries.

Saturday, July 11th 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Critter Club: Slime and Scales Event

Bring your 3-5 year olds to come and experience the slimy, scaly critters that live in the Discovery Center. There will be story time, games and you will be able to make a scaly craft to take home. This event is free with paid Museum admission, but class sizes are limited. Check in at the Dueling Dinosaurs just inside the main entrance. For more information call 213-763-3230.

Saturday, July 11th 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day

For the young and the young at heart! Head over to the Discovery Center where you can meet reptiles and frogs, toads and turtles, and snakes and Skins from both the museum collection and around the world! The activities of the day will include live animal presentations, arts & crafts, and photo opportunities. There will also be a pair of American alligators, a 13-foot Python, all of California’s native rattlesnakes, Indian cobras and poison arrow frogs. There will be experts on site from both the California Herepetological Association and the California Turtle & Tortoise Society. You can’t miss out on all this slithering, slimey fun!

Sunday, July 12th 11:00 a.m. Scavenger’s Safari: Crazy Crustaceans

Research Scientist and Director of Marine Biodiversity Center Regina Wetzer invites you to come take a behinds the scenes peak at the extreme crustaceans that call the museum home. Get ready to see the most bizarre shaped and out-of-this-world crustaceans; they look quite unique compared to barnacles, crabs, and lobsters we are mostly familiar with. For more information and to RSVP call 213-763-3316.

Sunday, July 12th 2:00 p.m. SPARROWS -Screening at the Alex Theater in Glendale

(Offsite Event)
Mary Pickford’s silent classic Sparrows will be shown as a special screening event at Glendale’s historic Alex Theater. You will be celebrating the centenial of Pickford’s first movie and the newly restored short They Would Elope, which will be accompanied by a live organ performance. There will also be a one-day only display of Mary Pickford’s memorabilia from the Natural History Museum’s collection. NHM members will be offered discounted prices and early theater admission for a guided tour of the display. Come down and experience this unique cinematic display! Produced in Association with the Libray of Congress, Glendale Arts, the Alex Film Society, and the Natural History Museum. For Tickets contact the Alex at 818-243-2539. Make sure to ask for the Group Rate and have your NHM membership number ready.

Saturday, July 18th 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Curators Cupboard & Junior Scientist Event

Not only does the NHM have an exquisite collection on display. What we don’t usually take into consideration is that behind those walls there is an exciting world of research that takes place. The museum researchers and curators are examing over 35 million objects that are in their care and they are hard at work discovering secrets about our natural world. At the Curator’s Cupboard events, you are able to get a behind the scenes look at artifacts and specimens you wouln’t get to see on your average day trip to the museum, and you’ll get to meet the members of the museum curatorial team. The focus of this days event will be WATER. You will be able to view unique water specimens from the Anthropology and Ichthyology Departments. The Junior Scientist program is for 6-9 year olds and their families, where they are able to discover the world we live in through observations and experiments. You will be able to work alonside the Museum’s scientists to find answers to a world full of questions! For more information about the Junior Scientist program call 213-763-3230.

Saturday, July 25th 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Squirrels to Snakes: Discovering Southern California’s Wildlife

(Offsite Event at The William S. Hart Museum)
Come explore the beauty of Southern Californias local inhabitants throught a guided nature hike. You will see a wide variety of plants and animals through a live presentation, there will be crafts and other activities as well. The days events will take place outdoors at The Hart Ranch House. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call 661-254-4584.

Sunday, July 26th 2:00 p.m. B-Movies and Bad Science

Once again join the Museum history and science departments for fun and unique exploration of the “science” behind Hollywoods creature films. this day will feature 1946’s “The Flying Serpent”. You will witness the wrath of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl after he has been resurected by an evil archaeologist. Anthropology Curatorial Assistant Jennifer Saracino will be on site to enlighten you on how this scenario woul be an impossibilty, and reveal some every cool Aztec facts. COme take and take a look at the creepy thrillers of old.

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