Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
One new, original planetarium show along with a returning favorite were recently added to the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium scheduled.
Starlight Safari, a state-of-the-art globetrotting planetarium adventure, is an interactive trip across the continents to see and learn about various animal constellations.
Visitors join a live presenter in the Chaffee Planetarium to begin their adventures. This 40-minute show includes interactive questions that test the audience’s knowledge of animal and mythical constellations, as well as teaching about lesser known animals in the sky. Beginning near Grand Rapids, attendees will learn about what is in our night sky. From there, venture to remote areas in Africa, Australia, South America and Asia to see Pisces, Leo, Draco the Dragon and many more.
The program, which will run through Sept. 18, is a fun, entertaining, and educational experience suited all ages, especially families with children. Tickets are $4 each with general admission to the Museum, $5 each for planetarium only tickets and free to Museum members. For more information and show times, visit grpm.org/Planetarium.
Starlight Safari is an original production by the Chaffee Planetarium inspired by the Museum’s 2016 traveling exhibitions, The Robot Zoo and National Geographic’s Earth Explorers, which is set to open in May.
The popular Dark Side: The Light Show, featuring music from Pink Floyd’s album “The Dark Side of the Moon,” also returns tot he planetarium.
Visitors will experience this iconic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” as never before, featuring stunning 4k visuals, brilliant LED sequences and incredibly clear 5.1 surround sound. Dark Side: The Light Show was the GRPM’s first original production since the planetarium underwent major renovations in 2013/2014.
This most recent production of this show was developed by members of the original crew that worked on previous laser light shows at the GRPM in the 1990s and 2000s. Members of the volunteer planetarium production team include: Jacob Bourjaily, Matt Bourjaily, Ethan Brown, Dave Staskiewicz, Chad Kremer, Dave DeBruyn, John Foerch and Daniel Tell.
Each song from this album is played in this show with its own unique thematic visuals. Following the course of the album, the visuals increase in complexity each song, taking the audience on an unforgettable rock and roll journey.
Dark Side: The Light Show will play Tuesdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m through June 19. Tickets are $4 each with general admission to the Museum, $5 each for planetarium only tickets and free to Museum members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit grpm.org.
Dark Side: The Light Show contains adult language and dizzying visual effects. It is not recommended for individuals prone to motion sickness, seizures or light sensitivity.
