The Kanbar Forum

The Kanbar Forum, our 3,600-square-foot venue, is a multidisciplinary theater space fitted with a Constellation acoustic system, one of the most advanced in the world, from Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc. With this equipment, we can change the Forum’s acoustic properties with the press of a button, from a nonreverberant recording studio to an immersive concert hall. There are only a few places in the Bay Area with this setup; one of the others is TRI Studios in Marin, an experimental “playpen” for musicians like owner Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.

The Forum can be configured in lots of ways, from a traditional theater seating setup to a caberet-style grouping of tables and chairs. It will be used for film screenings, After Dark events, live music, lectures, training sessions, and a variety of special events, including an upcoming series called Resonance, which explores the technology, culture, and perception of sound.

Accessibility
Please note that a wheelchair lift and assistive listening systems are both available in the Forum.

Upcoming Programs

Jan
26

Full-Spectrum Science: Radioactivity

Sunday, January 26, 2020 • 2:00 p.m.

What's going on inside the nucleus of an atom? Why does it spit out radiation? Did you know that you are exposed to radioactivity every day? Learn the facts about this somewhat controversial topic.

Feb
6

BioFutures: Growing Brain Organoids in the Lab

Thursday, February 6, 2020 • 8:00 p.m.

Alysson Muotri discusses how scientists have learned to grow miniature brain-like structures, called brain organoids. How similar are organoids to real human brains, and can they help us treat brain disorders?

Feb
23

Full-Spectrum Science: The Last Doubling

Sunday, February 23, 2020 • 2:00 p.m.

Is growth always good? The biggest threat to our existence on planet Earth isn’t asteroids—it’s us. Why can’t our population continue to grow? Learn about the exponential function and the conclusions we can draw from it.

Mar
5

BioFutures: Exploring Human Microbes Through Big Data

Thursday, March 5, 2020 • 8:00 p.m.

Cells from a fetus are infused into a mother’s body, and may have dramatic effects on her health. Learn more about these cellular hitchhikers, and what they’re up to.

Mar
19

BioFutures: Hacking the Human Genome

Thursday, March 19, 2020 • 8:00 p.m.

What are the possibilities and pitfalls of making DNA information more easily accessible? Join a conversation about what we can and can’t learn from our DNA, and the ethical implications of personal genomics.

Mar
22

Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: The Universe

Full-Spectrum Science: The Universe

Sunday, March 22, 2020 • 2:00 p.m.

We tend to think of “home” as the building in which we live, or the town or city where we reside. Voyage to the edge of the known universe, and gain some perspective on the tiny planet we call home. See some of the amazing ways the universe is structured, and learn how it’s evolved.

Apr
2

BioFutures: Curing Disease by Editing Genes?

Thursday, April 2, 2020 • 8:00 p.m.

How can gene editing help cure debilitating childhood diseases? Join Matthew Porteus, a leading researcher in gene editing therapy.

Apr
26

Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: Sound

Full-Spectrum Science: Sound

Sunday, April 26, 2020 • 2:00 p.m.

What is sound? How high a pitch can you hear? Can you measure the speed of sound with a yardstick? Can two sounds add up to no sound? Explore these questions and more in this resonant presentation.

May
7

BioFutures: Cells from Another Self

Thursday, May 7, 2020 • 8:00 p.m.

Cells from a fetus are infused into a mother’s body, and may have dramatic effects on her health. Learn more about these cellular hitchhikers, and what they’re up to.

May
24

Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: Mirrors

Full-Spectrum Science: Mirrors

Sunday, May 24, 2020 • 2:00 p.m.

Why do you see yourself in reverse when you look at yourself in a mirror? Why are you not upside down? Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman reveals the physics behind different types of mirrors and reflects on fascinating aspects of their construction and applications.

Jun
4

BioFutures: Mandatory Genetic Fingerprinting

Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 8:00 p.m.

As federal officials collect DNA from immigrants in detention, what are the impacts of a growing genetic database? What does the government do with this information, and what ethical questions does it raise?

Jun
28

Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: Fireworks

Full-Spectrum Science: Fireworks

Sunday, June 28, 2020 • 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Come ooooo and ahhhh at the science behind these big booms! Where do fireworks come from? Who invented them? What causes their beautiful colors, and how do the bursting shells create such different patterns? Join us for some real illumination, and learn the difference between a jerb and a lance.