Smithsonian at 8 Blasts Off

The 52nd anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s inaugural orbit in space was cause for celebration on Thursday night at the South Dillon Ripley Center. Smithsonian Associates, a museum-education program that hosts after hour parties and interactive activities, kicked off their new event series, Smithsonian at 8, with a cosmic tribute to the Soviet pioneer.

The venue boasted a number of activities — like space origami!  Science Cheerleaders danced, ThinkGeek promoted a costume contest, and SpaceUp DC facilitated conversation about spaceships, technology, and science as guests sipped on specialty cocktails, like the Cosmonaut, while enjoying music by DJ collective, OneLoveMassive.

Smithsonian at 8 encourages young people to visit the museums by organizing playful, educational, and social events at various Smithsonian venues, continuing through the summer and fall.

3-2-1, blast off… into a world of social education!