San Diego, CA—Step right up to experience the fun and excitement of the circus with a cocktail in hand, all while learning about science. The next installment of the Fleet's popular 21+ event, Night of Science, takes place on Thursday, July 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

The theme for the evening will be Circus Feats & Science Geeks. Attendees will have the opportunity to check out the Fleet's latest exhibition, CIRCUS: Science Under the Big Top, with local scientists on hand to talk more about the science behind "the greatest show on Earth!" The evening will also feature dazzling live performances from the Circus Collective, music from DJ Engage and specialty catered food and cocktails available for purchase. 

The Fleet's latest exhibition, CIRCUS: Science Under the Big Top, features interactive exhibits that explore the science behind the circus spectacle. Especially for the Fleet Night of Science, we've arranged for many stations in the exhibition to be staffed by volunteers from the local science community to spark discussion and explain more about the science behind each exhibit.Want to bend your body like a contortionist? Or dream of being shot out of a cannon? Our friends from the local scientific community will be there to help you figure out if you've got what it takes to become a circus star!

Attendees will also have the opportunity to revel in the "daredevil" elements of the exhibition, such as The High Wire and Elastic Acrobatics. For the High Wire, adventurous visitors will strap into a harness six feet above the ground and test their balance by walking across the nine-foot- long wire. The Elastic Acrobatics exhibit will give visitors the chance to practice their best mid-air tricks by strapping into a harness and bouncing high up in the air on two elastic cords.

The night will also feature live performances by performers from the Circus Collective. Watch as this local circus troupe, comprised of a diverse group of artists, each with his or her own unique style, perform such dazzling circus feats as juggling, aerial dancing and contortion.

In between these fabulous circus feats, you'll have an opportunity to enjoy an enlightening presentation from Jay Cummings, a PhD candidate in the UCSD department of mathematics. He will present The Math Behind Juggling to help the audience better understand what's going on when they see juggled objects flying through the air. Attendees will also have an opportunity to enjoy a special screening of the classic IMAX® film To The Limit, which explores how athletes and performers push their bodies to the limit.

All the while, DJ Engage will set the musical mood, God Save the Cuisine will offer sustenance for purchase and BarWorks will sell liquid refreshments.

The Fleet Night of Science is a quarterly after-hours event for chic geeks 21+. You get the science center all to yourself (no kids allowed!) to explore exhibits, sip cocktails, enjoy edibles, listen to music and get your geek on with science experiments, clever chats and delightfully nerdy experiences. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and proceeds support the Fleet's nonprofit mission of inspiring science learning.

Tickets are $19.95 for nonmembers, $15 for students with ID, Fleet members, Fleet staff and volunteers and Balboa Park employees.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at http://www.rhfleet.org/events/night-science or at the Fleet ticket counter.

Additional Links:

Fleet Night of Science webpage: http://www.rhfleet.org/events/night-science

Night of Science ticket link:

http://sandiego.boldtypetickets.com/events/25244730/fleet-night-of-science-circus-freaks-amp-science-geeks

The Fleet After Dark Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thefleetafterdark

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To request an interview, performance preview or media passes, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. We can arrange interviews with local scientists involved in the event and live on-air demonstrations from the Circus Collective performers to help showcase the fun activities of the party to your media audience.

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About the Fleet Night of Science

No kids. All fun. Fleet Night of Science is a quarterly after-hours event for chic geeks 21+. You get the science center all to yourself (no kids allowed!) to explore exhibits, sip cocktails, enjoy edibles, listen to music and get your geek on with science experiments, clever chats and delightfully nerdy experiences. You might learn the physics of beer pong (while playing the game, of course) or ask an astronomer your burning questions about Mars. You could enjoy a science comedy show or design a stomp rocket. Your ticket gives you access to all of the Fleet's exhibits and the evening's science-infused fun. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and proceeds support the Fleet's nonprofit mission of inspiring science learning.

More info: http://www.rhfleet.org/events/night-science

About the Circus Collective of San Diego

The Circus Collective of San Diego is a group of circus artists who work together to develop original shows that blur the lines between traditional circus and contemporary theatre. Stripped of the trappings of the big top down to its bare essence, this new style of circus is essentially about exploring the potential of the human body and psyche when pushed to its limits in feats of strength, balance, flexibility, and skill.

More info: http://www.circuscollectivesd.com/