We love a good festival atsciencefocus.com, especially if it is tinged with a little science to get our neurons back into full fitness after discussing beverages to a molecular level. That’s why when thebluedot festival(supported by the UK Space Agency no less) was first announced we squealed a little bit and started dusting off our camping tents and practising making toast over a Bunsen burner.
Of course we’re thrilled by the idea of lazing away those hazy July evenings listening science-appreciative acts like Jean-Michel Jarre,Public Service Broadcastingand Mercury Rev, but the festival has today announced a stellar line up of more than 150 scientists, thinkers and innovators who will all be giving talks at the event.
There are a few familiar faces among the crowd, like TV presenter Dallas Campbell, Christmas Lecture hostDanielle GeorgeandBBC Focuscolumnist Robin Ince, as well as well as a host of ESA scientists, astrophotographers and astronomers all sharing their tips and knowledge of the Universe. Of course if you’re more into science fiction that fact, you could always watch the first sci-fi movieLe Voyage Dans La Lunewith a reimagined soundtrack by French electro-duo Air.
Being held under the iconic telescope at Jodrell Bank there is definitely a star theme to activities, with Michelin-starred chef Aiden Byrne cooking up a treat at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe (cracking nod to the great Douglas Adams there), and a Star Field for kids to entertain themselves if you need to pop off and ponder matters of time and space for ten mintues.
You can check out the full line uphere, and in case you were wondering, yes, the festival is named afterthis photoand Carl Sagan’s iconic book.
Bluedot Festival 2016 will be held between 22-24 July and full weekend camping and day ticketsare availablefrom £129.
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