Science Center's 21+ Night Celebrates A Jazzy Holiday Season

Carnegie Science Center has a new model in its Miniature Railroad & Village this year, inspiring an adult holiday celebration that takes visitors back to the 1930s with jazz, dancing, and drinks. Carnegie Science Center’s 21+ Night Holiday Party invites guests to dress in their Sunday best for a festive night on Friday, Dec. 18, from 6-10 pm.

The new railroad model, the Crawford Grill, became a renowned jazz club after it opened its doors in the Hill District in 1930. To celebrate, Carnegie Science Center will turn the Works Theater into a dance club, where visitors will be able to receive introductory dance lessons to ’30s- and ’40s-era dances from the Pittsburgh Dance Center. Guests can learn basic steps to classic dances like swing, foxtrot, or the Charleston, and then show off their skills on the dance floor.

Guests can event envision themselves standing outside the historic Crawford Grill by taking a picture with Carnegie Science Center’s green screen.

Other activities include holiday-themed science fun with a chance to: Make fake snow; test pH using an indicator made from poinsettias; play with circuits and learn why when one bulb goes out, they all go out; and measure the difference between incandescent and LED lights.

Local group “Jazz Conspiracy” will perform live jazz music. As always, 21+ Night features cash bars, snacks available for purchase, and the chance to experience four floors of hands-on exhibits – with no kids! Participants get a discount on standard Omnimax movies (Polar Express is not included) and laser shows that evening.

Proper identification is required, and all guests must show ID at the door. Tickets cost $10 in advance, and $15 at the door.

21+ Nights are sponsored by Mazda, Macy’s, Q 92-FM, and Yelp.