© Brandon Robinson
© Brandon Robinson
© Brandon Robinson
© Brandon Robinson
© Brandon Robinson
© Brandon Robinson
© Brandon Robinson

Black History Month isn't just about the past, it's about understanding how this shared history informs the present and taking action to shape a better, more just future for everyone. In honor of Black History Month, we're turning up the celebration with a night all about Black joy. Get ready for lit live performances, candid conversations with Black Panther legends, a multimedia art installation that will change the way you view the word “Black,” a marketplace supporting 20+ Black-owned businesses, and a whole lot more.

Sounds by Lady Ryan

Check out Lady Ryan's exclusive NightLife: Black Thursday Playlist on the NightLife Spotify page

Music

The Music - Lady Ryan, SOL Development, & Make History

The Music
Piazza
Grab a cocktail and hit the floor with the return of Lady Ryan to NightLife. She’ll be spinning classics all night with a brief break for a performance from Oakland-based hip-hop, jazz, and soul collective SOL Development. Then Gideon Chiwinke Mekwunye II, co-founder of the breaking group M ake History, will open up the dance floor and talk about the group's upcoming events.

6:00 PM - Lady Ryan
9:00 PM - SOL Development & Gideon Chiwinke Mekwunye II
9:15 PM - Lady Ryan

The Talks - Bamidele Agbasegbe-Demerson & Women of the Black Panther Party

The Talks
African Hall

7:30 PM - Grab a seat for Bamidele Agbasegbe-Demerson, Chief Curator of the African American Museum and Library at Oakland as he leads an engaging talk,“Interpreting Africa’s Gifts to the United States: Black American Contributions to Our Society.”
8:30 PM - Hear from iconic women of the original Black Panther Party for a candid discussion about their experience as female activists. Panelists include Katherine Campbell, an artist and former chef for the Panthers’ Free Breakfast Program, Minister Gayle Dickson, a graphic artist, teacher, ordained minister, and the sole female graphic artist for the Party newspaper in the early 1970s, and anti-hunger advocate "Auntie" Frances Moore, whose work continues with the Love Mission Self-Help Hunger Program.

The Market - SF Black Wall Street & In The Black Shop

The Market
Swamp
6 - 10 PM
Support Black-owned businesses and shop a marketplace with wares from 20 exceptional local Black-owned stores, curated by SF Black Wall Street and In the Black Shop. Featuring:

Art & Wellness Corner - “Black Box” by Michael Coppage, Budding Lotus Meditation, TendWell Collective, Wise Health SF

Wellness Corner
Curiosity Grove
6 - 10 PM

Expand your mind with the "Black Box" art installation by multi-disciplinary social activism artist Michael Coppage.
Take a deep breath and practice self-care with Morgan Norvell, founder and owner of Budding Lotus Meditation. Stop by her table to learn about the importance (and lack of) mental health care in Black community.
Loosen up and get your first session of chair yoga in with the good folks of TendWell Collective.

The Menu - Signature food and beverage offerings from Chef Rob and the Liquid Happiness team

The Menu

At the Academy Cafe

Soul Food Egg Rolls - BBQ chicken, collard greens, mac n cheese
BBQ Jerk Chicken Pizza
Catfish Po' Boy - Beer battered cajun catfish, spicy remoulade, lettuce, tomato, onion

At the Swamp & Aquarium Bars

“Noir 75” - Common Ground Gin Basil & Elderflower, lemon, honey syrup, sparkling champagne
“For the Culture” - Uncle Nearest whiskey, lemon, simple, orange liqueur

A few don't-miss NightLife details:

NightLife guests are no longer required to provide proof of full vaccination or a recent negative test. We still strongly encourage all guests to stay up-to-date on their vaccinations, and to mask up indoors. As always, if you’re feeling under the weather, please NightLife another time. View health and safety information here.
Last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 pm—our animals need their sleep.
Morrison Planetarium is now open at NightLife with 4 showtimes. To maximize staff and guest safety, planetarium passes are required and capacity is limited. Passes are available online in advance for an additional $5 while supplies last to reserve a seat at a 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, or 9:30 pm planetarium show. Please see our FAQs for more details. (Please note: A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drink are not permitted inside the planetarium.)
Beverages are available at various bars throughout the building, but food must be enjoyed outdoors or in the Academy Café only.
NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Valid, physical photo ID required.
Still have Qs? See our FAQs here.