“Radical Technology for a Sustainable Future” is the theme of “Yuri’s Night Bay Area 2008,” part of a worldwide celebration of space exploration on the anniversary of the first human mission into space. Astronauts, artists, scientists, engineers and musicians take part. Performers include the Capacitor dance troupe and Phil Lesh, of Grateful Dead fame.

Among the guest speakers: world-renowned video game designer Will Wright, creator of “SimCity” and the upcoming “Spore”; NASA astrobiologist Jonathan Trent, leader of the new NASA team for green technology research and Saul Griffith, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained mad scientist and founder of the green energy provider Makani Power.

Also, Jaron Lanier offers an innovative approach to communicating with distant life by rearranging the stars, while Chris Perkins and John Cole of SkyTran, will talk about a revolutionary approach to urban mass transit. The event begins at 2 p.m. Saturday and continues until 2 a.m. Sunday. It’s at Nasa-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field. Tickets are $40 to $50. Call (650) 604-6497 or visit www.bayarea.yurisnight.net for details.