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Summer at The Virginia Living Museum

July 18, 2016

 

Through Sept. 5 Dinosaur Discoveries 

In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Virginia Living Museum is bringing back some of the most popular dinosaurs, including T. rex and Triceratops, for a summer of roaring, life-like prehistoric creatures. The exhibit will take visitors back millions of years to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods when dinosaurs ruled the world. Tremble at a growling teen-aged T. rex, always a favorite with museum visitors. An Apatosaurus mother and her baby greet visitors with wide, sweeping neck motions.  Observe baby dinosaurs hatching from a nest. See three different types of baby dinosaurs up-close. Use a joystick to maneuver a robotic Stegosaurus. See the feathered Citipati, which highlights the link between non-avian dinosaurs and birds.  Outdoors dodge the water-spitting Dilophosaurus. These lifelike creations are from Billings Productions, North America's leading producer of animatronic dinosaurs. Presented by EVB and sponsored by the Daily Press.

 

Through June 30 Planetarium Shows

Choose among four shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. “Zula Patrol: Down to Earth” is a new show that travels back to earth’s prehistoric past.  “Dinosaur Prophecy” explores how dinosaurs lived and died. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies.” “Laser Mania” combines movie hits with laser action. The planetarium is open daily. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission.

 

June 11 World Oceans Day

Celebrate the world’s oceans with a day of family activities at the Virginia Living Museum designed to raise awareness of the importance of ocean conservation. See displays of ocean specimens from the museum’s non-live natural history collections. There will also be exhibits about wise seafood choices through the Seafood Watch program and how trash in the oceans affects animal health. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included in museum admission.

 

June 11 Star Party/Laser Light Shows

Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Three planets will be visible in the night sky: Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Enjoy free NASA exhibits and activities about these planets. Choose among six shows in the Abbitt Planetarium. Search for a new planet for humans to colonize in “Solar System Odyssey” at 5:30 p.m. The hottest pop artists and the latest laser art come together in “Laser Pop” at 6:30 p.m. 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 bank from Ireland’s ultimate laser show.  The new show “Laser Rock” at 10 p.m. features the many facets of rock and roll. Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at 11:30 p.m. is the ultimate in laser experiences. All shows $6. The Wild Side Café is open 6 to 9 p.m.

 

June 18 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.

 

June 20 Dinosaurs: What we know, what we don’t, and what we thought we knew!

Much of what people imagine about life during the age of dinosaurs has come to us from Hollywood: a fantastic array of beasts that dominated the land, the oceans and the skies.  But were all these animals actually dinosaurs?  If not – what were they?  Find out the answers during a special presentation by Judy Molnar, recently retired VLM Education Associate, who over many years of teaching, research and field work became the museum’s “Curator of All-Things Dino.” You’ll leave with a new appreciation for those roaring animated beasts that currently dominate the museum (at least through Labor Day!), and you’ll also learn about some of the most recent exciting discoveries from the field of paleontology. Naturally Speaking is a free lecture series in celebration of the museum’s 50th anniversary 6:30-8 p.m. Register in advance at thevlm.org or call 757-595-1935.

 

June 23 – July 30 “Feathers” Theater Program

Dinosaurs were ancient reptiles with tough scaly skin right? Well, sort of. Paleontologists have been collecting more and more evidence that some dinosaurs actually had feathers when they were young to help their small bodies stay warm. Want to learn more – and have fun too?  Join us in the outdoor Wason Amphitheater for “Feathers” – a family-friendly short play performed by theater students from Christopher Newport University.

Days/times: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and noon (no show June 25), plus Wednesdays in July at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

 

June 26 – July 2 Shark Week

Swim, paddle, wade or sail on in to the Virginia Living Museum during this fun-filled week to encounter sharks the VLM way. Each Day we’ll feature special sharky crafts, activities and displays that will put a toothy grin on your face. Learn more about these amazing animals and their relatives, and about the important work being done to preserve their populations and habitats.  On Saturday July 2, there will be even more “shark-world connections.” 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Included in museum admission.

 

July 1-31 Planetarium Shows

Choose among four shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. “Zula Patrol: Down to Earth” is a new show that travels back to earth’s prehistoric past.  “Dinosaur Prophecy” explores how dinosaurs lived and died. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies.” “Spirit of America” celebrates America with great patriotic music paired with lasers. The planetarium is open daily. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission.

 

July 4 Fourth of July Lasers in the Abbitt Planetarium

Raining outside? Can’t stand the mosquitoes? All the good viewing spots taken? No worries! Come enjoy the most amazing 4th of July laser displays in the Virginia Living Museum’s nice cool theater with this patriotic laser show! “Spirit of America” mixes great patriotic music with America-inspired rock & roll and songs that have defined American music. Rock on to great artists like John Fogerty, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood and so many, many more. Recommended for ages 6 and up. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. VLM members $3, non-members $6.

 

July 9 Star Party/Laser Light Shows

Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Choose among five shows in the Abbitt Planetarium. “Spirit of America” celebrates America with great patriotic music paired with lasers 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. Pink Floyd fans have two choices: “Laser Queen” at 10 p.m. and “The Wall” at 11:30 p.m.  All shows $6. The Wild Side Café is open 6 to 9 p.m.

 

July 16 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.

 

 

Virginia Living Museum, 
524 J. Clyde Morris, Blvd.
Newport News (I-64 Exit 258-A)
757-595-1900
www.thevlm.org

Museum admission: $20 adults, $15 children (3-12), ages 2 and under free. Planetarium programs $4 in addition to museum admission. 

 

Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.

Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours Thursdays June 2 – Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.