Macabre 2024

The bottom of the ocean is just as mysterious as the vastness of space. Are those twinkling lights in the inky darkness another galaxy’s sun or a bioluminescent jellyfish?

Who can shed some light on the mysteries that are hidden in the blackness of the seafloor? The research team aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus aims to do just that!

The Nautilus Exploration Program explores the ocean, seeking out new discoveries in the fields of geology, biology, maritime history, archaeology, and chemistry while pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. Prepare to see a live look at the bottom of the ocean using state-of-the-art equipment, while connecting with the researchers who are pioneering the field of deep sea exploration.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Class Size: 60 participants
Class Fee: $9| Museum Members receive a special discounted price applied at checkout.
Materials: Light refreshments will be served prior to the start of the program.
Instructor: Amanda Dedicatoria, Kim Etsitty, and Blodak Quichocho

Accessibility and Logistics

• Leave your pets at home. Trained service animals are allowed.
• Restrooms and water fountain are available inside the Museum.

About the Instructors

Amanda Dedicatoria, Kim Etsitty, Blodak Quichocho

This program is in support of Museum of the Macabre, a special line-up of out of this world exhibits and events.

From the darkness of the ocean floor to the darkness of outer space, technology is critical in exploring the abyss. But, it turns out that the tools used to uncover the mysteries at the bottom of the seafloor are very similar to those used to probe the vast expanses of space.

Join the engineers and scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) as they share how their gear has been used on interplanetary expeditions.

Learn about the specially-developed instruments used on spacecraft missions orbiting Earth and Mars, and the similarities between ocean and space applications. 

Thursday, November 7, 2024
6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Class Size: 60 participants
Class Fee: $17 | Museum Members receive a special discounted price applied at checkout.
Materials: Light refreshments will be served prior to the start of the program.
Instructors:  Tom O’Reilly & Dr. George Matsumoto 

Accessibility and Logistics

• Leave your pets at home. Trained service animals are allowed.
• Restrooms and water fountain are available inside the Museum.

About the Instructors

Tom O’Reilly & Dr. George Matsumoto – Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

This program is in support of Museum of the Macabre, a special line-up of out of this world exhibits and events.

If a star consumes another star, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Have you ever wondered what sound a black hole makes? What about a supernova?

Well listen up as Dr. Jason Xavier Prochaska, with UCSC’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, teaches us how he uses sound to discover the edge of infinity.

From listening to neutron stars, to the sound of an accelerating universe, it turns out that there’s a lot of potential suspects when trying to uncover what things are going bump in the night! 

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Class Size: 60 participants
Class Fee:  $16 | Museum Members receive a special discounted price applied at checkout.
Materials: Light refreshments will be served prior to the start of the program.
Instructor: Dr. Jason Xavier Prochaska

Accessibility and Logistics

• Leave your pets at home. Trained service animals are allowed.
• Restrooms and water fountain are available inside the Museum.

About the Instructor

Dr. Jason Xavier Prochaska, UCSC’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

 This program is in support of Museum of the Macabre, a special line-up of out of this world exhibits and events.

Come in costume and enjoy an evening of cocktails and cosmic curiosities for our eighth annual Museum of the Macabre party. It promises to deliver extraterrestrial experiences, and special exhibits outdoors and inside the Museum’s galleries. This year’s tricks and treats will explore out of this world phenomena!

• Costume contest (see below for details)
• Outdoor movie screening of Mars Attacks from Westside Video
• Treats for sale from Areperia 831 and Incubator Kitchen, local beer from Discretion Brewing, and curated cocktails
• Explore photos from last year’s event here.

$25 Members | $30 General

21+ | Admission includes one free drink ticket + 1 Inflatable Planetarium ticket (1st come, 1st served)
Online presale discounts end on October 25
$35 at the door — Space is limited
Become a Member!

Saturday, October 26, 2024
6 – 9 p.m.

Costumes

• Dress on theme for a chance to win a costume prize! This year’s theme is outer space!
• Costumes should not be obstructive or offensive in nature.
• Costumes should not contain sharp or pointed objects, or materials that may accidentally strike guests or exhibits.
• Costumes should not contain any elements which resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.

Accessibility

• The event will occur at Tyrrell Park and inside the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
• Limited number of tickets available and online presale discounts end October 25.
• Please follow local guidelines for COVID safety at the time of the event.
• The Museum and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Additional portable restrooms will be available in Tyrrell Park.
• Park festivities will be on both level and slanted grass.
• The movie and costume contest will occur in the amphitheater behind the Museum where there are steps to enter. Both will be visible from the grass above.
• Please leave your pets at home. Trained service animals are permitted.
• Review more details on our Accessibility page.
• Email events@santacruzmuseum.org with any questions, help with registration, or accommodation requests.

Thank you to our partners!

• El Pajaro Valley Incubator Kitchen | Food Vendor
• Areperia 831 | Food Vendor
• Discretion Brewing | Beer Sponsor
• Westside Video | Movie Screening of Mars Attacks
• Andy Kreyche  | Inflatable Planetarium
• International Dark-Sky Association Santa Cruz Chapter 
• Alan Rios Astrophotography 
• Idea Fab Labs    
• Liminal Space
• Futuristic Lights
• And so much more!

This program is in support of Museum of the Macabre, a special line-up of out of this world exhibits and events.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Have you ever wondered about the color of the universe? Turns out the official, scientific color is called, “Cosmic Latte.” 

And who better to speak to this topic than an astrophotographer paired with a coffee roaster! 

Sip space-themed specialty coffee cocktails while learning the science behind the color of space. From lattes as a beverage to Cosmic Latte as an intergalactic phenomena, this evening’s pairing is sure to tantalize astronauts, artists, and affogato aficionados.  

Friday, October 25, 2024
6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Location:  Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Class Size: 60 participants
Class Fee: $18.50| Museum Members receive a special discounted price applied at checkout.
Materials: Specialty coffee drinks, compliment of Verve Coffee, will be served prior to the start of the program.
Instructor: Alan Rios & Verve Coffee Roasters

Accessibility and Logistics

• Leave your pets at home. Trained service animals are allowed.
• Restrooms and water fountain are available inside the Museum.

About the Instructor

 

This program is in support of Museum of the Macabre, a special line-up of out of this world exhibits and events.

Did you know that the elements forged in a star are the same as the very atoms that compose you?

Take a trip through the cosmic history of the universe with Dr. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, with UCSC’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics. From the birth and death of stars to the uranium that warms our planet’s core, learn about the cosmic alchemy that drives neutron stars to collide and create the building blocks of life.

Thursday, October 17, 2024
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Class Size: 60 participants
Class Fee: $16 | Museum Members receive a special discounted price applied at checkout.
Materials: Light refreshments will be served prior to the start of the program.
Instructor: Dr. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz

Accessibility and Logistics

• Leave your pets at home. Trained service animals are allowed.
• Restrooms and water fountain are available inside the Museum.

About the Instructor

Dr. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, UCSC’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

This program is in support of Museum of the Macabre, a special line-up of out of this world exhibits and events.