Yuri's Night at Great Lakes Science Center

Since 2001, an international community of scientists, researchers, and self-styled geeks has been celebrating manned spaceflight with Yuri's Night, a festive commemoration of where we've been and where we yet may go. Tonight at the Great Lakes Science Center, Yuri's Night celebrates U.S.S.R. cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and the crew of the first U.S. space shuttle. The cosmic cocktail party launches at 7:30 p.m. with live music from Tricky Dick and the Cover-Ups, an open bar with beer and wine, appetizers and specialty bites, a scavenger hunt, a balloon drop and science demonstrations. Money raised from Yuri's Night helps fund the Science Center's STEM education initiatives, day camp scholarships and other programs that "encourage curiosity and provide opportunities for tomorrow's scientific leaders." General admission tickets are $60, $70 at the door. VIP tickets go for $100 and allow early access to the party, admittance to the VIP lounge with complimentary beer, wine and mixed drinks, exclusive menu items, and complimentary parking in the Science Center's attached garage. A special designated driver ticket is also available for $40, and Science Center members receive $5 off general admission and $10 off the price of a VIP ticket. (Niesel)