Science is all about pushing boundaries. Sometimes in unexpected ways, from burlesque to the science of better sex, experiments with beer, whale snot, confessional booths and more…
Here is our selection of adults-only National Science Week events guaranteed to involve booking a baby-sitter, pet-sitter or date night.
Human Love Quest: Your chemical romance! Thursday 14 August in Hobart
The cult live onstage dating show straight outta Melbourne (and the 70s) makes its Hobart. Three hopeful nerds vie for the attention of one solo contestant, aiming to capture their heart with personality, wit, and scientific wisdom.
It’s time to get off the apps and find love — or at least a great night out — in real life. Looking for genuine connection and the chance to meet a fellow nerd, in front of a live audience of hundreds of your closest strangers? Anyone can apply, regardless of how you identify, your age, or what type of encounter you seek.
The Clitoral Chronicles: Friday 22 August in Hobart
This event is lifting the hood on the most neglected organ in biology: the clitoris!
‘The Clitoral Chronicles’ is a live show that’s equal parts hilarious and enlightening. Through immersive performances, outrageous anatomical costumes, and wild but true tales from the animal kingdom, people will learn what they should have learned in sex-ed, including what the clitoris actually looks likes, where it came from, and why is important.
By looking to science and the world around us, performers and science communicators will celebrate and empower perspectives that have historically been dismissed and literally written out of scientific discourse. Come for the laughs, leave informed and inspired, and ready to challenge tired old myths.
Rock Hard! The Geological Cabaret: Saturday 9 August in Dubbo, NSW
Canberra-based researcher Dr Karina Judd returns to her hometown Dubbo for a smart, sexy, adults-only exploration of geological and earth sciences. Think, striptease meets ‘dirty’ science.
By day, Dr Judd researches science-engineering-social science collaboration for sustainable futures at the Australian National University. By night, she moonlights as ‘Roxie’ in her one-woman cabaret.
What to expect? Cocktail hour geology with sultry songs, smouldering dance, sharp wit and a shimmer of burlesque.
Science Night – Whales with Dr Vanessa Pirotta: Friday 15 August in Brisbane
What challenges do whales face during their annual migration from Antarctica to Australia? Does whale song and the act of breaching aid navigation? And what can we learn from whale snot and poo.
Ask wildlife biologist and author Dr Vanessa Pirotta at an adults-only ‘Science Night’ at Queensland Museum’s SparkLab.
Dr Pirotta is one of Australia’s most renowned wildlife scientists. Her research uses innovative technologies for wildlife conservation, working collaboratively across marine/terrestrial environments and merging cutting edge tech to access animals in unique ways (for example, whale snot drones and AI to detect illegal wildlife trafficking).
Science at the Edge of Consciousness: Thursday 14 August in Marrickville, NSW
Can psychedelics, flicker light therapy, hypnosis, meditation and other ancient and modern mind-altering tools improve mental health and cognition?
Researchers from Macquarie University’s Altered States Lab reveal all during an evening that invites audience members to experience and compare some consciousness altering technologies.
ExBEERimental Science: Friday 15 August in Hobart
Four Tasmanian brewers serve up an identical recipe for beer, resulting in vastly different sensory traits, showcasing how small variations in brewing techniques impact our experience of downing a cold one.
Hear about the science and taste the difference with beer-loving scientists Kelsey Picard and Matthew Fielding at Shambles Brewery.
Crochet and Cocktails: Friday 15 August in Joondalup, WA
Create your own hyperbolic geometry shape with yarn at Birra Bar at Edith Cowan University and learn the pattern from ECU mathematician Dr Julia Collins, while sipping on a specialty cocktail.
Julia is co-founder of Maths Craft Australia and has a PhD in 4-dimensional knot theory from the University of Edinburgh. She shares the maths that underpins crochet in a workshop-cocktail party.
You will need to have mastered the basic crochet stitch to take part in this workshop. It is not for absolute beginners, and you can BYO yarn and hooks if you like.
Come Again? An evening of sex and science: Beaker Street Festival reaches a climax on Saturday 16 August in Hobart
Hobart City Hall welcomes a cast of dangerously well-informed sexperts and sultry scientists who unbutton the mysteries of pleasure, lay bare the secrets of anatomy, and stimulate more than just your intellect.
Get ready for a night of unbridled curiosity, breathless discovery and scientifically sanctioned passion, complete with a giant clitoris puppet.
The week-long Beaker Street Festival takes the position that boundary-pushing conversations – from death to pleasure – could change the world.
Other adults-only events on the Beaker Street lineup include:
After Hours: when Hobart City Hall transforms into a throbbing nightclub on Friday 15 August
Only this is no ordinary nightclub. Yes, there’s a DJ. Yes, there’s dancing. Yes, there are drag queens, kinksters, and performers who could teach anatomy with just a look.
But tucked among the sweat and sequins, you’ll also find a classroom covering everything you didn’t learn in sex ed, and a confessional booth where you can spill your deepest questions to a real sexual health doctor—no judgment. Open to everyone, and especially welcoming to queer, trans, and questioning folks.
More adults-only events
- Nerd Nite Melbourne (like school, but in a bar with drinks, laughs and nerds who actually want to be there): Wednesday 13 August in Brunswick
- Science After Dark – TABOO Science (scientists share research into drugs, psychology, criminality and more): Friday 15 August in Forest Lodge, NSW
- Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition: Thursday 14 August in Melbourne
- Peer-Reviewed Gossip – Trend or Truth? With ‘gossip gals’ Lee Constable, Dr Naomi Koh Belic and Elfy Scott: Wednesday 13 August in Newtown, NSW
- Museum After Dark | Nocturnal: Decoded (your adults-only invite to experience Melbourne Museum up late and child free): Thursday 14 Augus, Melbourne
- Hue of the Brew: Science of colour and beer: (talk and interactive tasting) Sunday 17 August in Brinkin, NT
- Science After Dark – Improv X Science: Sunday 10 August in Sydney.
