By SJ Punderson
The Bicycle Coalition led a ride to The Mann, where those in attendance got to watch the 2016 film Hidden Figures
On a busy August evening at the bottom of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, the Bicycle Coalition’s Ashley Vogel met up with cyclists from around the city for a ride to the Mann Center in Fairmount Park.
The film Hidden Figures was shown on the big screen later that night at The Mann, as the grand finale to Super Solar Saturday. Attendees of Super Solar Saturday were encouraged to interact with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities including experiments, art and live music.
Solar Saturday served a large, diverse crowd of families. An estimated 3,000 people participated, and several hundred stayed for the film.
Getting our bikes in order before the ride begins
Hidden Figures is about a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
As noted by Vogel, the event was unique in that it brought together families from neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, to be inspired by the mostly-untold story of how these women helped change American history.
“I was glad to see the movie in that setting to share the experience with so many other people from Philadelphia, and cheer together at these historical moments,” said Vogel.
Both the Franklin Institute and The Please Touch hosted events, along with The Mann, just two days before the real solar eclipse occurs. Super Solar Saturday was made possible, in part, with an award from The National Endowment for the Arts.
Missed the ride on Solar Saturday? Be sure to check out Bike Quizzo, an upcoming Bicycle Coalition event, held on Tuesday (9/12) from 7-9 p.m. at Wilson & Firth Transport Cycles. Drink for a good cause, while brushing up on bike history and cycling pop culture! Fueled by Lagunitas Brewing, each admission includes two drink tickets.