The 2020 iteration of “Night of Ideas” (La Nuit des Idées) will feature a moonlight meditation, dance performances, panel discussions and more. (photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County)

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County will present “Night of Ideas,” from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. In partnership with the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, the 2020 global event will simultaneously take place in 150 cities and 65 countries across the world.

The free event features talks, pop-up performances, music and film screenings celebrating this year’s theme, “Being Alive.” NHM’s iteration of “Night of Ideas” will kick off its season of First Friday nighttime events.

“We are delighted to host ‘Night of Ideas’ for a second time and bring together this fascinating and eclectic group of thought leaders and artists who will teach us about what it means to be alive and well,” said Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director of NHMLAC. “This exciting collaboration with the French Embassy will encourage people to think about our well-being and inspire change, not only for ourselves, but for our community, our city and our larger ecosystem.”

Featured guests include award-winning photographer Ian McCallister; founder of Wild Immersion, the world’s first virtual nature reserve, Adrien Moisson; oceanographer Bethanie Edwards; the first man to swim the Atlantic Ocean, Benoît Lecomte; the executive director of planet and environment at XPRIZE Foundation, Jyotika Virmani; and cross-country cyclist and racing driver Evens Stievenart.

“As new generations wish to give more meaning to life and positively impact the environment that surrounds them, the ‘Night of Ideas’ 2020 theme, ‘Being Alive,’ will embrace the work of inspiring people who are focused on improving our conditions and pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” said Nathalie Soirat, deputy consul general at the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles.

“Night of Ideas” will take over the entire museum, activating the halls, labs and rotunda, where each space will host a range of different activities. The Los Angeles lineup also features a Moonlight Meditation with Alain Lancelot in the Nature Gardens; panel discussions about ocean health and sustainability, rainforest biodiversity and the importance of being outside moderated by Pulitzer Prize and Emmy winner Patt Morrison; and performances by the Jessica Fichot Quartet, Heidi Duckler Dance Company, Gavin Turek, DJ Novena Carmel and DJ Bobby French.

Additionally, the event will hold two rounds of speed dating where guests will have the opportunity to sit around a table while community organizations lead discussions on their topics of choice before rotating to the next.

Night of Ideas is free to the public; RSVP required.

The National History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 W. Exposition Blvd. For information and tickets, visit nhm.org/nightofideas.