Countdown Is on for World's Biggest Space Party

HAMPTON, Va., April 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Local space enthusiasts are counting down the days until this weekend's giant Yuri's Night celebration, to be held Saturday, April 10, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at the Virginia Air & Space Center in downtown Hampton.

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This is the tenth year that Yuri's Nights around the globe have commemorated two historic April space achievements. On April 12, 1961, Russian Yuri Gagarin became the first person in outer space. Twenty years later, April 12, 1981 marked the launch of the first U.S. space shuttle.

To celebrate the past, present and future of space exploration, Yuri's Night combines an evening of entertainment with interactive NASA activities. The latest count includes more than 155 parties in 54 countries on seven continents that will showcase space-inspired music, dance, science, engineering, technology and art.

Yuri's Night Hampton Roads will focus on what is new and exciting at NASA and Hampton's NASA Langley Research Center. The five-hour party will feature live video from the Space Shuttle Discovery docked at the International Space Station, state-of-the-art exhibits highlighting NASA contributions, a "Mars"tini lounge, dance demonstrations, live performances by local reggae favorite "Nature's Child" and music mixed by Hampton Roads' DJ, Jeyone.

NASA exhibits will emphasize NASA's role in space exploration including robotic astronaut assistant "Robonaut," "Postcards from Space" and the Magic Planet. Other NASA displays will highlight NASA's contributions to NASCAR auto racing. A one-quarter sized racecar replica will show partygoers how aerospace technology has helped the automobile and racing industries.  

Belly dancing by Neferteri and Brazilian folk Capoeira dance demonstrations will add a cultural element to Yuri's Night Hampton Roads. For science lovers, the Peninsula Astronomy Club will offer stargazing using state-of-the-art telescopes on the Virginia Air & Space Center's Observation Deck. And for those who like magic Krendl & Co. will engage visitors with illusions.

Local radio personality James Steele will be on hand to emcee the event and play rounds of Rock Band, Space Camp, Wii and Cornhole with participants. Guests who wear space-themed outfits will be eligible for prizes during a costume contest.  

Yuri's Night tickets at $10 per person are on sale now, but will also be sold at the door. They are available by calling 757-727-0900, extension 705 or on-line at http://www.yurihr.com .  Food is included with admission and beverages will be available for purchase. Yuri's Night is an event for those 18 and older.

Yuri's Night Hampton Roads is presented by NASA's Langley Research Center, Virginia Air & Space Center and Langley Federal Credit Union, with additional support from private sponsors. The Virginia Air & Space Center is located at 600 Settlers Landing Road in downtown Hampton.

For more information on Yuri's Night Hampton Roads, please go to:

http://www.yurihr.com

For more information about NASA's Langley Research Center, please go to:

http://www.nasa.gov/langley

To learn more about the Virginia Air & Space Center, please go to:

http://www.vasc.org

NASA Langley news releases are available automatically by sending an e-mail message to [email protected] with the word "subscribe" in the subject line. You will receive an e-mail instructing you to reply to confirm the action.  To unsubscribe, send an e-mail message to [email protected] with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

SOURCE NASA