The LA County Natural History Museum presents the a Discussion with mary Roach on her book,  “Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex” for their First Fridays series.  From the Masters and Johnson artificial-coition machine to Dutch gymnasts coupling in MRI mchines, the study of human sexual physiology is the most vital, surreal, awkward, and oddly overlooked branch of modern science.  Roach salutes the bravery of early pioneers and takes us through the highlights (and a few low points) of the past hundred years.

Mary Roach is a renowned American columnist and author. She has written for Outside, National Geographic, New Scientist, Wired, and The New York Times Magazine, among others.  Her books include  Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers (2003), Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife (2005) (published in some markets as Six Feet Over: Adventures in the Afterlife), Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex (2008) and Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void (2010).

Once a month, the entire Natural History Museum stays open until 10 pm and features live music, exciting scientific discussion, and behind-the-scenes curatorial tours. First Fridays has been has been an immersive program designed for audiences of all ages, bringing together a dynamic discussion with scientists on the cutting edge of their fields and musical performances by fresh and innovative artists. In recent years, the program has been hailed as Los Angeles’ “Best Intellectual Event in Disguise” (L.A. Downtown News) and “Best Museum Party Night” (Los Angelesmagazine). First Fridays welcomes its audience back to the Museum they loved as kids, putting a new and exciting spin on an old favorite.