Archived Press Releases

Wild animal programs, animal enrichment, and a sculpture show –
All happening this fall at the Virginia Living Museum
Sept. 5, 2006  
 
The Virginia Living Museum launches a series of Born To Be Wild programs this fall. These 30-minute programs will feature live animals and audience participation to highlight the difficult survival challenges faced by wild animals today. The programs will be presented in the museum’s Changing Exhibits Gallery Sunday through Friday at 2 and 3:30 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 through Nov. 13 Predators
Animal hunters use an array of fascinating adaptations and hard-learned skills to find, catch, kill and eat their prey. Meet a live animal that dissolves the tissues of its captured prey. Discover a night-time hunter that can target its quarry and accomplish a perfect kill in total darkness! In this exciting and informative presentation, you’ll encounter live predators whose survival depends on their teeth, claws or fangs! No need to fear – you’re perfectly safe – just bring your curiosity.

Nov. 17 through Dec. 17 SOS – Animals in Danger
For animals in the wild, every day is a struggle for survival. Some of the most serious threats they face are from humans. Whether we intend to or not, our activities, cultures and the space we need to live all affect the complex and often delicate balance of nature. Learn more about animals whose survival is both threatened and dependent on human action, and find out what can be done to help them. You’ll even meet a live “success story,” an animal that has been brought back from the brink of extinction.

Dec. 26-31 Speaking for the Earth
Red Hawk, a Native American storyteller, presents 30-minute programs filled with humor, personal stories and music. Through storytelling, Red Hawk teaches respect for the land and animals and shares memories of a time long ago. Lovable and enlightening, funny and instantly likable, Red Hawk brings to the platform a powerful and charismatic stage presence. A former Chief of the Bird-Band for the American Cherokee Confederacy of Utah, Red Hawk is a traditional dancer, recording artist, fine artist and author. He has performed in thousands of schools throughout the United States and at local festivals and corporate functions. Presented Dec. 26-30 at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m., Dec. 31 at 1 and 2 p.m. only.

Jan. 5 through Feb. 11, Alien Invaders
This is no science fiction story, the aliens are already here! Animals and plants that adopt new homes outside their natural range can cause great harm to established ecosystems and even threaten the survival of native species. Meet live ‘alien invaders’ and discover the problems they create when they spread to habitats where they don’t belong. Find out what environmentalists are doing to fight these alien species and how you can help prevent future invasions.

Also coming this fall to the Newport News museum:

Sept. 15 through Nov. 12 “SkyTellers: Tales of Coyote” Planetarium Show
For generations, people around the world have used stories to explain the mysteries of nature that surrounded them. As we have learned more about the natural world, science has also provided us with explanations…or “science stories.” Join us in the Virginia Living Museum planetarium theater as we hear wondrous tales from various Native American cultures come to life…and then share the science story behind what each myth tries to explain. Narrated by various Native American storytellers and NASA astronauts, these incredible tales will leave the entire family spellbound. Each story features that sly trickster, Coyote, as he makes trouble for the residents of both Earth and Sky. Don’t miss this incredible planetarium experience. 2:30 p.m. daily and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. $3 per person.

Sept. 15 through Nov. 12 “Fright Light” Laser Show
Laser Halloween fun for the whole family at the Virginia Living Museum, featuring “monstrous” hits of every style and era (the Who, Oingo Boingo, The Charlie Daniels Band and more);! This 30-minute version will be shown daily at 3:30 p.m. and also 1:30 p.m. on the weekends. $5 per person.

Sept. 15 through Nov. 5 Fall Evening Laser Fun
Enjoy music for the eyes and ears as spectacular images dance across the Virginia Living Museum planetarium dome on Friday and Saturday nights. “Fright Light” at 8 and 9 p.m., monster Halloween hits for the whole family (the Who, Oingo Boingo, The Charlie Daniels Band and more!); the heavy metal madness of “Laser Metallica” at 10:30 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” at midnight. $8 per person.

Oct. 7 Animal Enrichment Day
See red wolves and coyotes devour ice treats, watch a raccoon find crayfish hidden in a basket full of newspapers and a skunk extract meal worms from a PVC pipe. It’s all part of stimulating the lives of the animals on exhibit at the Virginia Living Museum, a process that usually occurs behind the scenes. Join the Virginia Living Museum staff as they demonstrate how they make the lives of the animals more interesting. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 4-5 Turner Sculpture Show and Sale
Eastern shore artists Bill and David Turner will display and sell their bronze wildlife sculptures at the Virginia Living Museum. Since 1983, the Turners have created more than 300 different limited edition bronzes and more than 50 large public commissions. Ranging in size from life-size mice and wrens to full-size bears and dolphins, the Turners have a sculpture to fit the smallest niche in a home or to embrace the entrance of a zoo or museum. All of their work is a reflection of their deep appreciation and understanding of nature. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Nov. 8 Watch Mercury transit the sun
Visit the Abbitt Observatory at the Virginia Living Museum to see a rare passage of the planet Mercury in front of the Sun on Wednesday, Nov. 8! We will observe as much of the transit as possible, weather and observing conditions permitting. Mercury makes contact with the Sun at 2:12 p.m., and the observatory will remain open as long as the Sun is visible to us. The transit or passage of a planet across the face of the Sun is a relatively rare occurrence. As seen from Earth, only transits of Mercury and Venus are possible. There are approximately 13 transits of Mercury each century. The next one will occur in May 2016. Should weather preclude our observations, we will attempt a live feed of the event from NASA. Included with regular admission.

Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Admission is $13 adults and $10 children (ages 3-12). Planetarium admission is $3. Combination tickets are $13 adults and $10 children. Laser shows are an additional fee. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more.

For more information call 757-595-1900 or visit the web site at www.thevlm.org. Call 757-595-9135 for group reservations.

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For information about other attractions and lodging in Newport News, Va., call toll-free 1-888-493-7386 or visit the Web site at www.newport-news.org