‘Imiloa Introduces New Line-Up Of Planetarium Shows

11/06/2009

Laser Techno-Artistry Lights Up Friday Music Shows

Hilo, Hawai‘i – November 3, 2009 — ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center introduces a new line-up of programming in its popular planetarium, offering several new shows and introducing laser technology to its Friday night music shows. The new shows and programming, most of which starts this weekend, offer the local community and visitors a unique experience in the most high-tech, full-dome surround sound-system in Hawai‘i. Two holiday shows start after Thanksgiving.

The new shows include: A new daily show, “Origins of Space” which starts Nov. 7; a Friday night music entertainment show featuring laser technology; “Laser Beatles,” and “Laser Zeppelin” will both be shown each Friday night for 11 weeks starting this Friday, Nov. 6; an animated keiki show, “Legends of the Night Sky – Orion” starting Saturday, Nov. 7; and special holiday programming to start Thanksgiving weekend.

“Origins of Life” is an inspirational journey through time and a celebration of life on Earth. The show starts off with the Big Bang, and moving in chronological order, explores the early chemistry of the universe, as well as the formation of the stars and solar system. “Origins of Life,” examines the first signs of life on planet Earth, the great extinctions on our planet, and current scientific efforts to search for signs of life beyond Earth. Opening on Saturday, Nov. 7, “Origins of Life” will be shown daily, Tuesday through Sunday, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

On Saturdays at 10 a.m. starting this weekend, ‘Imiloa’s new keiki show will be “Legends of the Night Sky – Orion,” a traditionally animated, fun-filled imaginative look at the myths and legends associated with the constellation Orion, the great hunter of the Winter sky. With guides Aesop, the owl, and his friend Socrates, the mouse, the audience follows Orion’s adventures battling mythical beats, foiling plots of the evil king, and winning the heart of Artemis, the moon goddess. We learn how, mythically, the constellation Orion becomes forever turning overhead throughout the night skies. In addition to the weekly keiki planetarium show, the Center will offer hands-on, kid-friendly activities related to the Orion constellation in the Kilohoku Keiki Korner from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Laser technology will take over the ‘Imiloa Planetarium for the next eleven Friday evenings starting on Friday, Nov. 6. Friday evenings have become music entertainment nights in the Planetarium, but the stage is now set for a whole new experience: lasers! And ‘Imiloa introduces this new experience with two shows: “Laser Beatles” at 7:30 p.m. and “Laser Zeppelin” at 9 p.m.

The playlist for “Laser Beatles” music show will include Magical Mystery Tour, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Twist & Shout, A Hard Day’s Night, No Where Man, Help!, Yesterday, Octopus’ Garden, Revolution and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band/A Day in the Life. The playlist for “Laser Zeppelin” will include: Song Remains the Same, Over the Hills and Far Away, Good Times, Bad Times, Immigrant Song, No Quarter, Black Dog, Livin’, Lovin’ Maid, Kashmir, Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love and Rock-n-Roll.

“The state-of-the-art, 360° x 180° solid-state laser projection system blends four laser beams together to produce a multi-colored light show featuring fog and other special effects that will fill the air above the audience to create a powerful concert-like experience,” said Shawn Laatsch, planetarium manager. In addition to stunning laser light capabilities, the laser projection system is also “green”. Unlike laser systems of the past, today’s new technology uses air instead of running water to cool the system, and also uses less electricity than older systems, Laatsch noted.

‘Imiloa is testing the laser projection system to determine interest in laser light shows and public response to these Friday night music programs using lasers.

For the holiday season, starting Saturday, Nov. 28 and every weekend (on both Saturday and Sunday) until December 27, ‘Imiloa will also offer a 45-minute “Laser Holidays” music programs at noon, with familiar and popular holiday songs by noted artists, such as Burl Ives’ “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and Bing Crosby crooning “White Christmas” to dancing laser techno-artistry.

For the holiday season, ‘Imiloa will also return “Mystery of the Christmas Star” to the planetarium dome for daily shows starting Friday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. through the end of the year.

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will also offer its signature show, “Maunakea: Between Earth and Sky,” daily at 11 a.m, and at 2 p.m. Awesome Light: Discoveries from the Telescopes on Maunakea, a 3D offering,. ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). For more information, visit the Web site at www.imiloahawaii.org or call (808) 969-9700 (for recorded information) or 808-969-9703 if you have further questions.

Media Contact:
Gloria Chun Hoo
808-969-9705
gchunhoo@imiloahawaii.org

Vinnie Recinto
808-969-9714
vrecinto@imiloahawaii.org