Coming Up: Children's Theatre, New Laser Projector, Story Time, School-Recess Workshops
Open for the Winter School Break, February 19-27
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum offers children's theatre and storytelling programs, winter school-recess workshops for kids, and a new, full-dome Planetarium laser projector with all-new shows and acclaimed rock music.
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From January 2 through February 18, the Vanderbilt Mansion, marine museum, natural-history galleries and grounds will be open Tuesday and Friday from 12 to 4, Saturday 11 to 5, Sunday 12 to 5.
HOLIDAY-SCHOOL BREAK SCHEDULE
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During the winter school break, Saturday, February 19 through Sunday, February 27, the museum will be open every day from 11 to 5, with planetarium shows from 11 to 4.
The Vanderbilt Planetarium is open Friday with shows at 8, 9 and 10 p.m.; Saturday with shows hourly from 11 to 4 and 7 to 10; and Sunday with shows hourly from 12 to 4. (See full program listings below.)
WINTER RECESS WORKSHOPS
Penguins and Polar Bears
Children will explore the museum's wildlife collections, learn about polar animals and their habitats, and create a piece of polar art to take home.
This program is for children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, accompanied by one adult. It is offered Tuesday, February 22 or Thursday, February 24, with a choice of two time slots: 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m. Fee: $20.00 per child.
Scarab Mummy Pendant
This program, for children in grades 3 through 5, is offered on Monday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee: $35.00 per child.
Zebra Mask
Offered on Wednesday, February 23, this program is for grades 1 through 3, and takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee: $35.00 per child.
Watercolor Collage
This program is designed for grades 1 through 5. It will be offered on Friday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee: $35.00 per child.
These drop-off workshops include tours of related Vanderbilt Museum collections and a creative project. Children are asked to bring a bag lunch. Registration is required for all workshops. To register or to get more information, please call (631) 854-5539.
CHILDREN'S THEATRE
The Arena Players Children's Theatre will present "The Pirates of Treasure Island" at the Education Center on Saturdays at 3 p.m. from January 22 through February 27.
A highlight of Arena Players' children's productions is audience participation. Cast members invite kids to join in the fun and become crew members, pirates and ghosts.
Tickets are $10 for all seats, ages three and older. The Vanderbilt Museum Education Center is handicapped-accessible. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Arena Players office at 516-293-0674 or visit the website: www.ArenaPlayers.org.
OUR NIGHT OUT: Story Time under the Stars
This winter, the dates for the popular Sunday evening program "Our Night Out: Story Time under the Stars" will be February 20 and March 20, at 6 p.m. At Story Time, children's favorite bedtime storybooks come to life in the planetarium theater. In this multi-generational, one-hour program, huge pictures are projected on the dome under star-filled skies as stories are read.
Children will enjoy classic tales and learn about the objects they might see in the nighttime sky. All are welcome to wear their most comfy pajamas, and to bring their favorite stuffed animal, blanket and pillow. Admission is $6.00 per person. Reservations are strongly suggested, as this program frequently sells out. Please call 631-854-5579.
NEW, FULL-DOME PLANETARIUM LASER-ROCK SHOWS
The Vanderbilt Planetarium premiered its new, state-of-the-art, SkyLase laser-projection system on New Year's Eve. With all-new shows featuring great music by legendary rock bands, the new projector fills the full sweep of the 60-foot Planetarium dome with dazzling images.
PLANETARIUM SHOW SCHEDULE
Now through March 20
Friday Evenings
8:00 p.m. Long Island Skies
9:00 p.m. Laser Beatles
10:00 p.m. Laser Led Zeppelin
Saturdays
11:00 A Trip to the Planets
Noon One Small Step
1:00 Journey through the Solar System
2:00 Night Lights
3:00 Laser Beatles
4:00 Journey through the Solar System
Saturday Evenings
7:00 Laser Beatles
8:00 Journey through the Solar System
9:00 Laser Vinyl (classic '70s rock)
10:00 Laser Pink Floyd–The Wall Show
Sundays
Noon A Trip to the Planets
1:00 Journey through the Solar System
2:00 Night Lights
3:00 Laser Beatles
4:00 Journey through the Solar System
Schedule for the Winter School Break
February 21 through February 25
11:00 A Trip to the Planets
Noon Night Lights
1:00 Journey through the Solar System
2:00 A Trip to the Planets
3:00 Laser Beatles
4:00 Journey through the Solar System
Our Night Out: Story Time under the Stars
February 20 and March 20 at 6 p.m.
Planetarium Observatory
Observe the night skies through the Vanderbilt's powerful, 16-inch, Cassegrain reflecting telescope, weather permitting, on Friday nights, 9 to 11 p.m.
