Virginia Living Museum Upcoming Events

BIG BUGS Open through April 17 

The Virginia Living Museum is really gonna BUG you in 2016.  This larger-than-life animatronic exhibit will feature six super-sized bugs: the Madagascan Sunset Moth, the Bombardier Beetle, Dragonfly, Stag Beetle, Orb-Web Spider and Say’s Firefly. There will also be a caterpillar photo-op and a display of live bugs, all designed to showcase a bug’s life and why bugs are important. We need bugs just as much as they need us. They are very important to our ecosystem. The exhibit is created by Billings Productions, the creators of animatronic dinosaur exhibits. Also explore the fascinating world of invertebrates - insects, arachnids, and their kin - through beautiful color photographic banners by famed Harvard scientist/photographer Piotr Naskrecki. Naskrecki’s field research on insects has taken him to six continents, where he strives to promote appreciation and conservation of invertebrates  by capturing both their beauty and roles as vital, often critically important members of the Earth’s ecosystems. Included with museum admission. Presented by National Exterminating Co., Inc. and sponsored by Langley Federal Credit Union.

 

Through – May 6 Planetarium Shows

Choose among three shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. “Stars to Starfish” is a full dome show that compares the exploration of the universe with the exploration of the oceans. It is shown Wednesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m. “Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda” is a retelling of the classic Greek legend. It is showing Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies,” showing Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission.

 

Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 Follow the Drinking Gourd

Celebrate Black History Month with this popular planetarium program at the Virginia Living Museum about the Underground Railroad and learn how the stars of the northern sky led slaves to freedom. This poignant and inspiring tale of one family’s desperate flight to freedom is based on the children’s book written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Shown on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. Free, museum admission is not required and not included.

 

Feb. 13 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. Enjoy the state-of-the-art laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the planetarium dome. “Laser Magic” (family) at 8:30 p.m. is a magical mix of movie tunes, songs you love, and songs you forgot about all paired with delightful laser images. Enjoy a Pink Floyd double feature: “The Wall” at 10 p.m. and “The Vision Bell” at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6. The Wild Side Café will be open.

 

Feb. 13-15 Reptiles Bizarre and Beautiful

Experience a close encounter of the reptile kind at the Virginia Living Museum. See a wide variety of native and exotic reptiles on display and in live animal programs. Reptiles are perhaps the most misunderstood and most feared creatures on earth, but the VLM staff wants the public to see their fascinating and attractive aspects. Guest exhibitors include Reptile Education of Virginia. Learn about the museum’s citizen science projects such as FrogWatch and Turtle Census. See the differences between venomous and nonvenomous reptiles. There will also be crafts for kids and special planetarium programs. Behind-the-scenes tours of Herpetology areas will be offered at 3 p.m. (additional fee).

 

Feb. 20 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.

 

Feb. 27 Bright Star Touring Theater: George Washington Carver & Friends

Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC, returns to the Virginia Living Museum with another engaging presentation. Join George Washington Carver on a fast-paced and hilarious introduction to some of the most influential black Americans of the last 150 years. Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and Madame C.J. Walker are just a few of the inspirational stories brought to life. Recommended for grades Pre-K-5. Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Included in museum admission.

 

March 3 Homeschool Afternoon

The Virginia Living Museum offers homeschool students ages K through grade 12 an afternoon of fun and engaging programs that highlight important natural and space science concepts. Four programs are available for grades K-6. An environmental science lab, Life in the Chesapeake Bay, is available for grades 6-12. All programs are curriculum and grade-level targeted and taught by the museum’s professional educators. All programs include a self-guided visit of museum exhibits and are offered at a discount to homeschool families. Admission is $12 for adults accompanying homeschool students. For homeschool students taking the self-guided visit with no programs, admission is $7; classroom programs are $9.75 per child, the lab is $11.75 per child. Parents may accompany children into the programs at no additional charge. Register by March 1 at 757-595-9135 or thevlm.org. Time: noon is 5 p.m., the museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

 

March 12 Bright Star Touring Theater: African Folktales

Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC, returns to the Virginia Living Museum with another engaging presentation. Join two talented African griots (storytellers) Akili and Jabari as they share stories that celebrate the vastness of the African landscape. Audience interaction abounds as our skilled performers bring to life Anansi, poquoi and trickster hare tales. Sing-alongs, stories and humor help celebrate world cultures, language and oral tradition. Recommended for grades Pre-K-5. Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Included in museum admission.

 

March 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. Enjoy the state-of-the-art laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the planetarium dome. “Hypnotica” at 8:30 p.m. pairs techno with lasers. Enjoy almost a full hour of amazing rock with Led Zeppelin in “Laser Zeppelin” at 10 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6. The Wild Side Café will be open.

 

March 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.

 

March 26 Bright Star Touring Theater: American Giants of Science

 

Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC, returns to the Virginia Living Museum with another engaging presentation. Thomas Edison, Dian Fossey, Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs and more all make their appearance in this fast-paced show. In a whirlwind tour through time, meet some of America’s most famous inventors and scientists. The best part of this program is the audience interaction: help Ben Franklin fly his kite, work with Alexander Graham Bell on placing a phone call. This rollicking educational adventure is laugh-out-loud funny. Recommended: Grades 3-adult. Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Included in museum admission.