Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County presents First Fridays: From Seeds to Psychedelics
Event on Friday, April 1, includes a discussion on “Wild Harvesting”
with live music by headliner Girlpool
Los Angeles, CA (March 8, 2022) — After two years of a virtual program, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is bringing a refreshed onsite experience to its visitors with this season’s NHM First Fridays: From Seeds to Psychedelics, featuring live music, eclectic DJs, thought-provoking discussions, signature cocktails, and more.
This year, First Fridays returns to the roots of well-being, reawakened with new ideas drawn from ancient ways. From foraging to fungi, seeds to psychedelics—and all things plant-based—this season will look at how scientists, activists, and artists are utilizing the power of plants and fungi to save us.
On Friday, April 1, groove to an outdoor set by DJ Spiñorita. Then, in the Museum’s iconic North American Mammal Hall, listen in on Wild Harvesting, a discussion about foraging moderated by Dr. Yewande Pearse, a neuroscientist and science communicator. What are the first steps and some common pitfalls to watch out for? Discussants will look at the wisdom of Native American foraging traditions for guidance in bringing this ancient practice to our modern lives. Dr. Pearse will be joined by Heidi Lucero, an American Indian Studies Lecturer; and Pascal Baudar, naturalist and forager.
After the discussion, the fun will continue at the outdoor Main Stage with the criticially acclaimed Girlpool, and opener New Yorker Grace Ives. Plus, enjoy food and drinks in the Nature Gardens and explore the Museum after-hours.
This event is free for members and $20 for the public, with advanced reservations recommended. Online reservations are available now. For more information and to RSVP, visit NHM.ORG/firstfridays.
Returning for another season is First Fridays media sponsor KCRW. Event partner is IAMSOUND, INC.
As part of NHM’s commitment to health and safety, the museum is implementing a number of measures. In accordance with the L.A. City Municipal Code Ordinance, all eligible patrons (currently 12+) are required to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours. Visitors 18+ must also show a valid photo ID. Guests should stay home if they are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19. All guests are encouraged to wear a mask except while actively eating or drinking. To see NHM’s full list of safety guidelines, please visit: NHM.ORG/covid-19-safety-
2022 First Fridays: From Seeds to Psychedelics
Friday, April 1, 2022
Wild Harvesting
Free RSVP: bit.ly/FirstFridays0422
DISCUSSION
Wild Harvesting – 6:30 pm
With Heidi Lucero, American Indian Studies Lecturer and Pascal Baudar, naturalist and forager. Moderated by Dr. Yewande Pearse.
What are the first steps and some common pitfalls to watch out for? We’ll look at the wisdom of Native American foraging traditions for guidance in bringing this ancient practice to our modern lives.
Heidi Lucero (Acjachemen and Mutsun Ohlone) is an American Indian Studies Lecturer at California State University Long Beach, Tribal Chairwoman for the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation, and a Native artist. The revitalization of traditional practices has brought her a greater connection with the environment and the traditional lands of her people.
Pascal Baudar is a writer, naturalist and a self-styled “culinary alchemist” currently travelling North America in an RV to research wild edibles and new culinary uses through traditional methods of food preservation. He is the author of three bestselling books: The New Wildcrafted Cuisine, The Wildcrafting Brewer and Wildcrafted Fermentation.
Moderator Dr. Yewande Pearse is a neuroscientist and science communicator. She has dedicated over 10 years of research to understanding rare genetic brain disorders at both King’s College London and The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA. Her communication work includes hosting Sound Science on Dublab Radio and Inside Biotech, a podcast from Biotech Connection Los Angeles. She has also worked with Headspace, Seed, Deem Journal, NAVEL, Fathomers, Massive Science, TEDMED, and more.
DJ LOUNGE
DJ Spiñorita – 5 pm
A unifying force in Los Angeles’ music community, Spiñorita has gone on to make a name for herself throughout the world. For the past decade, she has hosted her own radio show, Casual Play, which is broadcast internationally through NTS radio. Lately, she has brought her multigenerational open-format style to new audiences through her engaging performances on Twitch.
Headliner: Girlpool
Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad have been making critically-acclaimed music as Girlpool since they were high schoolers, scurrying around Los Angeles’ all-ages concert spaces and skipping class to play gigs with their friends. Now in their mid-20s, Avery and Harmony started making songs that feel as complex and mysterious as the experiences that have shaped this tumultuous era of their lives. The brand new full-length Girlpool album Enter Forgiveness finds the duo embracing weirdo-pop decadence without sacrificing the poetic curiosity that has always made their music so absorbing.
Opener: Grace Ives
New Yorker Grace Ives makes music, and her bio reads, “She is good at it. She writes short songs. Her doctor says she is 5 foot 1 and three quarters. Grace has a lot more music to share with you. Grace is young and life is long.”
DIGITAL ART POP-UP
Junior High is a non-profit 501(c)3 community arts space prioritizing the safety and expression of female, queer, nonbinary, and artists of color. Our physical space, publication, podcast, and other ventures function on principles of radical empathy, equity, and mutual aid.
UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAYS DATES (full schedules to be announced):
For this season’s First Fridays Connected 2022, NHM returns to the roots of well-being, reawakened with new ideas drawn from ancient ways. From foraging to fungi, seeds to psychedelics—and all things plant-based—this season will look at how scientists, activists, and artists are utilizing the power of plants and fungi to save us.
Friday, May 6, 2022: Plant Powered
Friday, June 3, 2022: Seed Sovereignty
Friday, July 1, 2022: Mushroom Magic
