Virginia Living Museum May June 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 May 22, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. May 23 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.
Through May 22 Planetarium Shows: Choose among several shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. Enjoy an exciting and often humorous version of the classic Greek legend of Orion in “Legends of the Night Sky Orion.” A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies.” “Back to the Moon for Good” is a full dome program, narrated by Tim Allen, that looks back at the history of lunar exploration and then at some of the teams racing to land a robotic spacecraft on the moon and win the Google Lunar XPRIZE. Discover the wonder of amphibians living in our backyards in “Noisy Neighbors: A Frog Story.” The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Program days and times vary. Tickets $4 in addition to museum admission.
May 14 Cuba Trip Information Meeting: Learn all about the Virginia Living Museum’s trip to Cuba Oct. 7-15, 2015 during an information meeting at Waypoint Seafood and Grill, Williamsburg. This amazing nine-day trip explores Cuba as a land whose riches are found in the hearts of its people. Visit the largest swampland in the Caribbean, experience art and music in towns throughout the island. Visit: Havana, Cienega De Zapata, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Santa Clara, Remedios and Caibarien. This is a People to People Travel sponsored by Classic Escapes, and led by Page Hayhurst, VLM Executive Director. 7pm. Reserve in advance at 757-595-9135 for the information meeting. Information about the trip is at thevlm.org
May 15 Endangered Species Day: Watch some of the Virginia Living Museum’s protected animals receive special enrichment. View endangered species items from the museum’s non-live collection and enjoy crafts 1-4 p.m. Watch the most endangered mammal in North America, the red wolf, receive special enrichment at 1 p.m. Learn about the endangered Roanoke Logperch during a feeding at 2 p.m. Take a guided tour of some of the museum’s 11 threatened or endangered animals ($12 plus admission) at 3 p.m. Find out what you can do to help.
May 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.
May 16 Healthy Wild and Wellness: The Virginia Living Museum highlights the importance - and fun - of healthy living. Just like wild and domestic animal friends, staying active and eating well helps us to live long, healthy and happy lives. Enjoy games, crafts, fun challenges and learning activities that will help inspire you to run like a deer, fly like an eagle, swim like an otter … or just be a happy and healthy you. Community health professionals will also be on hand to provide important information about your health - and healthy choices. Riverside Child Development Center, Riverside Dietician/Nutrition and Riverside School of Health Careers will have exhibits and activities. 11:30am: Watch a live skunk being examined by VLM Medical Coordinator Linda Addison and Veterinarian Dr. G. Denise Cisco of Friendship Veterinary Hospital & Hilltop Veterinary Clinic. Noon-2pm: Bring your stuffed animal for a fun checkup at the Teddy Bear Clinic. Sponsored by Friendship Veterinary Hospital, Norfolk & Hilltop Veterinary Clinic, Virginia Beach.11am, noon, 1pm: Learn how to “Move like an Animal” in informal exercise classes. 1pm Visit with the Good Health Fairy by Beyond Boobs. Events 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Included in museum admission. Presented by Riverside.
May 22 – June 30 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. Rock out to the latest pop hits in “iPop” at 3:30 p.m. The planetarium is open every day. Tickets $4 in addition to museum admission.
June 6 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, explore ocean-focus information throughout the galleries, attend talks by aquarium staff about deep sea and Chesapeake Bay animals. There will also be exhibits about wise seafood choices through the Seafood Watch program and how trash in the oceans affects animal health.. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included in museum admission.
June 13 Star Party/Laser Light Shows: Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. The Fab Four fill the theater with music and laser light in “Laser Beatles” at 6:30 p.m. Take a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies” at 7:30 p.m. Rock on to the days of vinyl in “Laser Vinyl” at 8:30 p.m.; followed by Led Zeppelin in “Laser Zeppelin” at 10 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s “The Vision Bell” at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6. The Wild Side Café is open 6 to 9 p.m.
June 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.
June 27 Frogs are Herptiles too: Frogs are “amphibians,” and turtles are “reptiles,” but did you know there’s a single field of science that studies both? It’s called “herpetology.” Come to the Virginia Living Museum to learn about the Virginia Herpetological Society and all of the important work they do to protect our frog friends – and lots of other animals too. Enjoy family-friendly presentations about identifying “frog calls” (the different sounds frogs make) throughout the day. Special crafts and activities will also be part of the fun. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included in museum admission.
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.
