HOW TO GO
What: Laser Light Shows
Where: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, The Dome of the Caryl D. Phillips Space Theater, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton
When: 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16; and 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17
Cost: $5
More info: (937) 275-7431 or www.boonshoftmuseum.org
From a single white spotlight illuminating a vaudeville performer to modern multimedia rock concert extravaganzas, the right lighting can enhance any musical experience. Throw in a laser light show and you have the perfect marriage of music and visual stimulation.
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton is revisiting these unique planetarium experiences for the first time since 2011 with weekend laser light programs in The Dome of the Caryl D. Phillips Space Theater on Friday through Sunday, Feb. 15-17.
“For some odd reason, President’s Day weekend has been our busiest weekend for a while,” said Jason Heaton, Boonshoft’s assistant director of astronomy. “The planetarium, year after year, gets more people right around February than we ever do. When we did laser shows in the past, February and March were always our biggest months.”
The main laser shows are The Beatles at 10 p.m., Led Zeppelin at 11 p.m. and Pink Floyd at midnight Friday and Saturday, and The Beatles at 7 p.m., Led Zeppelin at 8 p.m. and Pink Floyd at 9 p.m. Sunday. Other Sunday-only programs are “American Pride” at 5 p.m. and “Top 40” at 6 p.m.
The museum is using its new Digistar 4 technology for these shows.
“That was an upgrade of just under $1 million,” said Kristy D. Creel, Dayton Society of Natural History’s senior manager of marketing and public relations. “It was installed in February 2012. Our old laser system just didn’t work with the new technology. We still get calls and questions on Facebook about whether we’ll be bringing back the classic-rock laser light shows, so they thought they’d give it a shot.”
Heaton will use the new tech to manipulate the shows on the spot.
“You get a full pre-made laser show, and then we’ll add our personal touch to it,” Heaton said. “Our new system can project planets, sunsets, rollercoaster rides and all sorts of different things. We’ll throw that in and mix it live for a really cool experience. It’s kind of like being a DJ but with visuals.
“It’s a good time to come back and see Pink Floyd or one of the other shows,” Heaton said. “It’s got that kind of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ appeal for us. They’ve been a draw for a very long time. If you’ve never seen a laser light show, it’s definitely a good time to check out our system and see all of the new things. It’s family friendly, and it’s good for everybody.”
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