T-Rex Day
July 10
See and touch real dinosaur fossils from the Virginia Living Museum collections, see a life-size cast of a T-Rex skull, talk to staff paleontologists, walk like a T-Rex, assemble bones and a dinosaur puzzle and discover more about ancient life. Imagine if the bones and fossils of ancient dinosaurs could come back to life, what stories they might tell! No need to imagine any more, as Rainbow Puppet Productions presents “The Really BIG Dinosaur Show.” Through original songs and the use of more than 20 giant puppets, the time of the dinosaurs reappears on stage. One show only, at 11 a.m. Special activities 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included in museum admission.
Star Party/Laser Light Shows
July 10
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Take a trip into space in the “Astronaut” planetarium program 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 Country (family) at 8:30 p.m., Laser U2 (hard rock) at 10 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6.
Butterflies of the Blue Ridge Mountains
July 17
Join the Virginia Living Museum for our 18th annual Butterfly Watch to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be a part of this nationwide activity as we collect and release, watch, count and identify butterflies while also enjoying the insects and flowers along the wondrous Blue Ridge Parkway. This trip is a great way to share nature with your family. Minimum age is 8 years; 16 without an adult. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cost: $35 VLM members; $50 non-members. Register in advance at 757-595-9135 or at www.thevlm.org.
Story time
July 17
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear “Crab Moon” by Ruth Horowitz and see a horseshoe crab. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission.
Family Film Night: Dinosaurs – Home Sweet Home
July 17
Experience the wonder of Disneynature’s “Earth” on the planetarium dome, and enjoy chatting with a Virginia Living Museum educator about the amazing nature of our home planet. 7-9p.m. $10 per person. Not recommended for children 2 and under. No food or drink allowed in the theater.
Daytime shows in the Virginia Living Museum Abbitt Planetarium August
“Virginia Skies” takes a tour of the current skies with a staff astronomer, who highlights visible planets, deep sky objects, and any upcoming special astronomical events. “The Zula Patrol” explores weather on the planets. “Dinosaur Prophecy” explores how dinosaurs died…and lived. “Laser Pop” is an amazing mix of hits from the great pop bands. The planetarium is open every day. $4 plus museum admission.
Underground Treasures: Virginia’s Rocks and Minerals
Aug. 3
Below the surface throughout Virginia lies an amazing variety of rock and mineral resources. In this hands-on workshop for adults at the Virginia Living Museum, we’ll use simple field and lab techniques to learn to identify native VA rocks and minerals ores, encounter some minerals with unusual properties, and show examples of some surprising commercial uses for these resources. Presented by Jim Drummond, VLM Education Associate. 6-7:30 p.m. VLM members $5, non-members $7, active VLM volunteers free. Call 757-595-9135 to register.
Mighty Mammoth Day
Aug. 14
See and touch real ice age fossils from the Virginia Living Museum collections, clean fossils, compare modern animals with ice age animals, talk to staff paleontologists, and more. Through original songs and the use of more than 20 giant puppets, the time of the dinosaurs reappears on stage as Rainbow Puppets presents “The Really BIG Dinosaur Show.” One show only, at 1 p.m. Special activities noon to 3 p.m., museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Star Party/Laser Light Shows
Aug. 14
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Explore the current night sky in the “Virginia Skies” planetarium program 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., Laser X (hard rock) at 10 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s The Wall at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6.
Story time
Aug. 21
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear “To Smell Like a Snake” by Tede Johnson and see a live hognose snake. 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
Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays June 20 through Aug. 8 open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Museum admission: $17 adults/$13 children (3-12), ages 2 and under free. Planetarium $4 additional.
