Virginia Living Museum Summer Calendar
Through Sept. 7 Frogs: A Chorus of Colors
Explore TOAD-ally cool creatures and get eyeball to eyeball with live frogs from around the world in this traveling exhibit at the Virginia Living Museum. View more than 70 live frogs from across the globe, complete with their noisy croaks, yaps, chirps, whoops, snores and whistles, all housed in detailed habitats with rock ledges, live plants and waterfalls. Interactive games and displays help visitors of all ages have fun while exploring frogs’ biology and natural history, the roles they play in human cultures, their importance to ecosystems and the perils they face in a changing environment. If you’ve never thought of frogs as beautiful, this exhibition will change your mind! “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors” was created by Peeling Productions at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland. The exhibit is presented by EVB and sponsored by Daily Press, Peace Frogs, WAVY-10, Fox43, 94.9 The Point, the New 101.3 and Candlewood Suites. Through Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m daily. Thursdays, June 25 through Aug. 27, open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
June 20 – Sept. 7 Amazing Animals – Live
Make your summertime visit to the Virginia Living Museum even wilder by attending a live animal program. Meet and greet a selection of nature’s most fascinating wild creatures – some native to Virginia, some not. Learn about how and what they eat, how they protect themselves, how they interact with their habitats – and more. Presented at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. in the lobby of the Wason Education Center. Included in museum admission.
June 25 – Aug. 27 Summer Thursdays
Through Sept. 7 Late-summer Planetarium Shows
Choose among four shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. Kids can learn about weather on the planets in “Zula Patrol” at 11:30 a.m. Explore the mysterious world of the former smallest planet in “The Pluto Show” at 12:30 p.m. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies” at 1:30 p.m. Discover the wonder of amphibians living in our backyards in “Noisy Neighbors: A Frog Story” at 2:30 p.m. “ElectroPop” combines the hottest pop artists with awesome lasers at 3:30 p.m. The planetarium is open every day. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission.
Aug. 8 Virginia is for....Frogs
2015 is officially Virginia's Year of the Frog - so help celebrate at the Virginia Living Museum. Representatives from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will have displays about Virginia frogs, their habitats and their survival challenges. The learning and fun will continue with take-home crafts and activities. Activities 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plus, talk with Clyde Peeling's Reptiland Zookeeper Rachel Rathmell in the Frogs exhibit and meet some new frogs (10:30 a.m. -3 p.m.). Included in museum admission.
Aug. 8 Star Party/Laser Light Shows
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Rock on to music from great ‘80s bands in “Laser Retro” at 6:30 p.m. Take a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies” at 7:30 p.m. “Laser Country” at 8:30 p.m. features some of the brightest stars of country music. The sixties are back, and they are as psychedelic as ever with “Laser Doors” at 10 p.m. Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” is at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6. The Wild Side Café is open 6 to 9 p.m.
Aug. 15 Story Time
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear a nature-related story. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission.
Sept. 12 Star Party/Laser Light Shows
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Take a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies” at 7:30 p.m. “Laser U2” at 8:30 p.m. is the ultimate band from Ireland's ultimate laser show. A new show, “Laser Aerosmith” at 10 p.m. features hits by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Pink Floyd’s “The Vision Bell” at 11:30 p.m. was inspired by the album “The Division Bell.” All shows $6. The Wild Side Café is open 6 to 9 p.m.
Sept. 19 Story Time
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear a nature-related story. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission.
Sept. 19-20 Fall Native Plant Sale
Choose from a large selection of summer and fall blooming native wildflowers, shrubs and small trees for a variety of garden sites and styles at the Virginia Living Museum’s annual fall plant sale. Many of these are excellent plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard. Native plants are good choices for area gardeners because such plants tolerate the area’s weather and serve as food and shelter for area wildlife, while also providing a good show in the garden. Fall is the best time of year to do the majority of your heavy gardening. All plants are nursery propagated. Sale held rain or shine, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sale is one weekend only this year. Admission to sale is free.
Sept. 27 Total Luna-See
The Virginia Living Museum is having a lunar eclipse party. Part of the Virginia Science Festival, the evening includes a planetarium program, live eclipse viewing, crafts, games and face painting. Snacks will be available for purchase. 7 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (The eclipse begins at 9 p.m.). $8 per person.
The Virginia Living Museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris, Blvd. in Newport News (I-64 Exit 258-A). 757-595-1900
Museum admission: $17 adults, $13 children (3-12), ages 2 and under free. Planetarium programs $4 in addition to museum admission.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
