Yuri’s Night at the Space Centre

Comments 80 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Yuri’s Night is an annual international celebration of Russia’s Yuri Gagarin being the first man to see the Earth from space and this year marks the expedition’s 50th anniversary. Vancouver is one of the 280 cities around the world who have signed up to host special events Saturday April 9th or Tuesday April 12th (the actual anniversary day) in honour of this occasion.

I caught up with Cameron Cronin, who is in charge of Public Programs at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. He said they’ve been wanting to host a Yuri’s Night for a long time and this year, they’re finally doing it for two reasons. The first being that it’s the 50th anniversary, and the second is that it’s a party just for the big kids.

“We’re known for our school programming but we thought it would be fun to open [the Space Centre] up for adults for one night.” Cam added that they will have vodka tastings, borscht, and involvement from the Russian community in Vancouver. “It will be a neat time to look at the whole history of space exploration and reflect on where we’ve been, and where the next generation is going.”

This may be the first of many grown-up themed events at the Space Centre as they hope to expand programming for wider age groups. “Being a non-profit it’s a big risk, but we’re willing to take it,” said Cam who added that all proceeds from the evening events with adults will go directly back into the school programs.

Yuri’s Night will be celebrated Saturday April 9th at the Space Centre from 8:00pm until midnight. Activities will include launching glow in the dark rockets, a human gyroscope (preferably before partaking in the vodka samples), planetarium shows, a courtyard cosmic disco and more. Tickets are $30 per person (must be 19 years of age or older) and are only available in advance.

If you would like to attend this world space party in Vancouver, the Space Centre has offered up a pair of tickets to one of my readers. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment listing what you like about space (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win tickets to @YurisNight in #Vancouver from @AskAnAstronomer & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/4pN5Z

    Follow @YurisNight on Twitter for information about the global events and connect with the Space Centre in Vancouver @AskAnAstronomer.

    I will draw one winner at 12:00pm on Wednesday April 6, 2011. Must be 19+ to enter and attend. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe ride home.

    Update The winner is Arne Salvesen – congratulations!

    Current Contests on Miss604
    *All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

    80 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. MaeWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 12:27pm PDT

      It’s both humbling and awe-inspiring to think how vast space is, how insignificant mankind is, and how fantastical the things we find in space, things beyond imagination.

    2. HayleyWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 1:52pm PDT

      how big it is!!

    3. Lois PattersonWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:04pm PDT

      The immensity, the beauty, the emptiness, the scariness — all reasons I like space.

    4. CostasWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:28pm PDT

      Space is mans true playground where imagination can never stop and plus holds the mysteries of life!

    5. Tim CWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:42pm PDT

      It was my childhood dream to be an astronaut, so I studied Engineering. It’s amazing the things we can still learn in space, and the technology created to get there.

    6. VanessaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:42pm PDT

      The silence, you can’t hear anything.

    7. shahWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:52pm PDT

      the moon and stars

    8. VeronicaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:52pm PDT

      It is so big – the unknown factor of space is kinda scary!

    9. Jerry LWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:53pm PDT

      The thought of an infinite universe filled with un tapped wonders

    10. MelissaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:53pm PDT

      I love looking up at the stars with my four year old and seeing them through her eyes – which is more magical and vast than my grown up mind does.

    11. LauraWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:02pm PDT

      Space, the final frontier. Honestly I’ve been enamored since childhood, when I’d spend evening walks with my dad looking at the constellations!

    12. AlakittenWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:05pm PDT

      I like the Unknown aspect of it…. interesting and scary!

    13. PhyWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:05pm PDT

      Love how space is so big that anything else you can think of is so trivial and small.

    14. ErinWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:18pm PDT

      I love the tv shows it inspires!! Red Dwarf is my fav!

    15. KaiWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:19pm PDT

      the infinite space and undiscovered wonders. seeing images and just staring up at it at night makes me feel humbled and in awe, esp. how I’m a speck on a planet and gravity is holding me down to the planet that is amidst the infinite space 😉

    16. ErinWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:21pm PDT

      It’s next

    17. JohnWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:42pm PDT

      definitely the stars

    18. Robyn HWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:44pm PDT

      It’s the ultimate unknown…

    19. SavannaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:54pm PDT

      How small it makes us.

    20. Danielle ScottWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:55pm PDT

      The stars!

    21. Christopher GallagherWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 6:26pm PDT

      Its sense of wonder!

    22. TeresaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 6:50pm PDT

      I like planets

    23. capistranoWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 6:52pm PDT

      what i like about space. . .for me, it seem like it’s MAGIC!!. . .gravity do the work or u just float around the space. .that’s it, it’s really MAGIC!:)

    24. SoniaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 6:56pm PDT

      so much is unknown

    25. TamsWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 7:12pm PDT

      I like that it smells like burnt toast, and that it has many awesome, beautiful, awe-inspiring things in it.

    26. JustinWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 8:00pm PDT

      Space is filled with potential and imagination!

    27. Arne SalvesenWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 8:23pm PDT

      Space … the final frontier.

      My God … it’s full of stars

      Space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space

    28. LindaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 8:34pm PDT

      i’m so amazed by all the beautiful stars! 🙂

    29. Aileen RWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 8:43pm PDT

      That when life seems like it’s so big and full of to much stuff going on. I can look up into the sky and it reminds me that those problems are small by comparison.

    30. LaurenWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 9:07pm PDT

      I love the fact that space is always expanding.

    31. AlisonWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 9:19pm PDT

      The countless stars!

    32. IciteaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 9:27pm PDT

      I love nebulas! Love love them~ those gaseous masses are so beautiful!

    33. IciteaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 9:40pm PDT

      i’ve tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/icitea/status/53313209859452929

    34. LyndseyWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 10:48pm PDT

      It’s elusive and infinite possibilities, both in beauty and exploration. It’s because it’s so unknown, that I’m so drawn to it.
      (I used to want to be an astronaut and have personally met Canada’s first and second female astronauts into space: Roberta Bondar and Julie Payette!!) Awesome experience;P

    35. RobinThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 8:12am PDT

      It’s so beautiful. I love the photos of Earth and of other places I would never get to see otherwise.

    36. Amy W.Thursday, March 31st, 2011 — 8:29am PDT

      stars!

    37. David D.Thursday, March 31st, 2011 — 8:51am PDT

      Love star gazing.

    38. AnneThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 3:25pm PDT

      I like the Galilean moons of Jupiter. Calista, Io, Ganymede, and Europa

    39. JoshThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 4:52pm PDT

      I love that Pluto can’t cut it as planet! Space is cold!

    40. MatThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 7:21pm PDT

      8 minutes for light to get from the sun to earth??? Say whaaaaaaaaaat???

    41. KennethThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 8:40pm PDT

      Space is where we can look back at the planet Earth and see how insignificant we are.

    42. NickThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 9:14pm PDT

      I like 2001: a space odyssey… good movie

    43. LindaThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 9:59pm PDT

      the stars!

    44. BonnieThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 10:23pm PDT

      Great history of man’s efforts to explore space

    45. Emily HFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 8:34am PDT

      I just love all of the unknowns…

    46. MuriloFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 9:19am PDT

      The vastness, the beauty and the unending mystery that surprises us beyond our wildest imagination and all the unending possibilities that fill us with imagination, doubts, hopes and dreams, and also the humbleness that it inspires in us.

    47. nocalFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 9:40am PDT

      Love it!!

    48. LawrenceFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 10:30am PDT

      Space is empty yet full. It’s neverending.

    49. EricaFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 11:16am PDT

      That’s it vast, beautiful and mysterious.

    50. LachlanFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 1:38pm PDT

      Eternal darkness, always expanding and life on other planets: what’s not to like?

    51. EmilyFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 3:52pm PDT

      space has endless possibilities

    52. KerryFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 4:56pm PDT

      So excited to see Yuri’s night happening in Vancouver!

      My friends in California think it’s awesome and love to go!!

    53. AgaselFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 8:27pm PDT

      I like having space because then I can get a good night’s sleep without having to listen to loud snoring — oh wait, I thought you meant “space” in a relationship.

    54. HarjitFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 9:51pm PDT

      Sounds planetacular! 🙂

    55. GarrettSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 12:22am PDT

      The unknown and all of the things left to be discovered.

    56. ChloeSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 10:22am PDT

      I love how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things.

    57. SamiraSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 10:33am PDT

      I love how there’s no gravity in space!

    58. GeoffSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 10:43am PDT

      It’s big and awesome and always give you something to shoot for and wonder about

    59. ElliotSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 11:15am PDT

      Space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space.

      Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

    60. EmmaSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 12:36pm PDT

      The stars! The size!

    61. Lynda JaoSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 5:17pm PDT

      Space is my very first love. I fell in love when I was six, gazing at astronomy books above me. And I’ve been in love ever since – knowing how small we are in respect to the universe makes the life we live that much more amazing.

    62. LarrySunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 12:41am PDT

      When I was a kid, we were sleeping outside one night in our sleeping bags. We saw a Russian and an American spaceship link up, can’t remember the year. They looked like little stars slowly moving through space and very 3D. Laying there on the grass, on a warm summer’s night, it seemed like I could almost imagine what it was like to be in space, myself. I always thought it would be cool to go into space since that night and thought that maybe everyone would be flying into space by now. Oh well a childhood fantasy, but space is both fascinating and inviting and its where every atom in your body came from.

    63. YingSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:25am PDT

      Space is intriguing. I’d like to think there’s got to be life somewhere out there…….

    64. ariaSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:28am PDT

      Spase alwasy brings back sweet memories of my dad showing my brother and I the various constallations when we were little.

    65. roseSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:30am PDT

      Space is fasinating, endless, and it keeps us imagine.

    66. Mandi BryanSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:43am PDT

      The vast and unknown is the most the exciting part.

    67. aloSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:44am PDT

      My daughter was 2 and started to wonder why the moon followed us everywhere we went. She is five and fasinated with everything about space. I’m too.

    68. aloSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:50am PDT

      Space holds the mysteries of life. Let’s explore…

    69. P LSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 8:56am PDT

      Space holds answer to science and religion.

    70. ayloSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 9:00am PDT

      There is (was) got to be intellegence out there! Keeps us wondering.

    71. peteSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 9:07am PDT

      Beam me up, Scotty.

    72. Bonnie HSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 7:27pm PDT

      The stars!

    73. ChristineMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 8:37am PDT

      It’s infinite and beautiful.

    74. Michelle WilliamsonMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:49am PDT

      Star gazing!

    75. vincentMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 6:10pm PDT

      it’s many mysteries. so much we still dont know.

    76. Chris PoskittWednesday, April 6th, 2011 — 9:03am PDT

      It gives you something to look at when you’re considering kissing a pretty girl.

    77. KarenWednesday, April 6th, 2011 — 10:06am PDT

      i love looking up at the sky and seeing those stars far away

    78. Sean TurveyWednesday, April 6th, 2011 — 12:26pm PDT

      I like the thought that somewhere in the billions upon billions of stars out there, someone in some other galaxy is wondering if there is life on other planets.

    79. SoniaDWednesday, April 6th, 2011 — 4:03pm PDT

      I attended a space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral a few years ago. When the shuttle went up, I was-unexpectedly-filled with emotions. Pride, joy, awe, humbleness, amazement. Yuri’s Night will be a great place to celebrate the beauty and mystery of space, and the incredible accomplishments of humankind.

    80. AliceThursday, April 7th, 2011 — 9:42am PDT

      Space reminds me of when I was a kid and enjoyed learning about the planets and what’s beyond. So much has changed since then as new discoveries are made. Amazing!

    Also on Miss604.com
    «
    »