Course 1 – 7:00 pm
Cheeses, Fruits, and Cacao

Enjoy delicious cheese, fruit and chocolate pairings with a specially selected wine. While dining, learn about astronomy with Dr. Caleb Choban, and discover what can be observed in the sky this time of year and the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th. Each attendee will take home one pair of eclipse glasses. The provided solar glasses are ISO 12312-2 compliant and CE certified; these eclipse glasses are independently tested and safe for all phases of the eclipse and solar viewing so visitors can feel confident using them to observe the sun.

Course 2 – 7:45 pm
A Duo of Cakes

This second course features a duo of distinctly different cakes that will be eaten in the dark. Under the guidance of Dr. Tom Gruenenfelder, Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, guests will experience what happens to our taste buds when our other senses are not overloaded with stimuli. Throughout the exploration participants will enjoy cake and wine while discussing what is happening in the brain.

Course 3 – 8:30 pm
The Finer Things

Enjoy specially designed chocolates from local chocolatier, The Bloomington Chocolate Company. These unique chocolates, paired with a dessert wine will dazzle the palate for a satisfying finish. During the course, chocolate experts will explain flavor conceptualization as well as the story of how these specialty chocolates came to be.

Between each course guests will have the opportunity to explore the museum and all the wonders it holds. Additional chocolate themed activities will be scattered throughout the museum for visitors to explore. Owen Valley Winery as well as the guest speakers for each course have tables and booths throughout the museum with extra goodies and to take questions.

This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is a part of its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative.

Presented in Partnership: Part of the Solar Eclipse Series presented by the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, WonderLab and Science on the Screen.The Science on Screen® initiative brings science to cinemas nationwide and is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This series puts together creative pairings of current, classic, cult, and documentary films with lively introductions by notable figures from the world of science, technology, and medicine.

Debs Speaking, courtesy of the Eugene V. Debs Foundation, Terre Haute, Indiana / Kurt Vonnegut, courtesy of Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council, Bloomington, Indiana

Grab a beer from Upland Brewing Company and chat with their bartenders about the science behind your favorite brews. Not looking for alcohol, no problem. Enjoy tasting local kombuchas while learning about the process of fermentation. You’ll leave with the knowledge to make your own kombucha at home. 

Let WonderLab’s animal experts guide you on a tour of our animal ambassadors. Discover how they protect themselves in the wild and their potential to turn deadly. Explore a death garden and test your skills identifying deadly plants and their dangers. Take home a vintage-inspired ID card for your favorite deadly plant. Bring history to the present, make your own piece of jewelry inspired by European poison rings. Then challenge yourself to correctly identify various animal skulls from WonderLab’s collection.

Capture your newfound knowledge and experience in a self-made zine, and then add to WonderLab’s ofrenda to remember a loved one who has passed. Dance to Malagasy music that is typically played during “Famadihana.” Expound upon your death-ucation by participating in a talk surrounding the culture of death and passing on.