Fall planetarium programs begin Oct. 1

The Abbitt Planetarium is presenting three shows Oct. 1 – Nov. 20: “Zula Patrol” at 12:30pm (Wed. – Sun.), “IBEX” at 1:30pm (Wed. – Sun.) and “Virginia Skies” at 2:30pm (Sat. and Sun. only). The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Members may use vouchers or pay $2, non-members are $4 plus admission.

VLM members receive free admission to the “Zula Patrol” exhibit this fall at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. The exhibit is at the main location through Oct. 21 and at Short Pump Oct. 24-Dec. 31. Present your VLM membership card for this great benefit.

VLM is open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm. Outdoor Area closes 4:30pm
Wild Side Cafe open daily.
Memberships can be purchased, renewed or upgraded in person at the Museum,

by phone, 757-595-1900 x240 or online.

It’s that time of year again.  Spring has spring and Easter is fast approaching.  If you’re in the Hampton Roads area, you’ll be searching for some Easter break fun while the kids have off.  One of our favorite family activities during Easter holiday is the traditional Easter Egg Hunt. We even print our own Easter Egg Hunt invitations for our family backyard hunt.

We also like to take the kids to some of the Easter fun in the area, here’s a partial list of Easter Egg hunts and other Easter fun activities:

CHESAPEAKE’S REALLY BIG EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Where Chesapeake City Park, 900 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake

When 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23   Info: (757) 382-6411 or visit www.cityofchesapeake.net/PRevents.

EASTER BUNNY STORYTIME & EGG HUNT

Where Van Wyck Branch Library, 1368 DeBree Ave., Norfolk

When 4 p.m. Thursday, April 21  Info: (757) 441-2844

EASTER EGG HUNT

Where Hunt Club Farm, 2388 London Bridge Road, Virginia Beach

When 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 23-24  Info: (757) 427-9520, www.huntclubfarm.com

THE HUNT IS ON

Where Blyden Branch Library, 879 E. Princess Anne Road, Norfolk

When 2 p.m. April 22  Info: (757) 441-2852

For Easter Crafts & Activities.

Who doesn’t love Max & Ruby?  Well they’re coming to Hampton Roads, Virginia in May!

Max & Ruby will appear at the Harrison Opera House on May 13, 2011.  Performance is at 6:30pm in Norfolk.  Don’t let your kids miss this one.

Event location:
Harrison Opera House
160 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Norfolk VA 23510
(757) 623-1223

BATS … at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Virginia.

Learn about bats from around the world up-close and personal with Rob Mies, TV personality, conservation biologist, bat expert, director of the Organization for Bat Conservation and author on March 12 and 13.

Encounter a Big Brown bat from North America and hear its high-pitched echolocation with a “bat detector,” meet fruit bats from Africa and Asia and finally, come face-to-face with the largest bat in the world, the Gigantic Flying Fox Bat from Malaysia with a wingspan of nearly 6-feet!

Shows at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Also enjoy bat-related games and crafts. Included in Museum admission.

524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23601

A St. Patrick’s Day Parade Paddy Pack is gathering in Norfolk, Virginia!  If you have one of the Irish dog breeds, OR your dog has an Irish theme, we are forming the Paddy Pack for the St. Paddy’s Day Parade in Norfolk (Oceanview area) on March 12. We will be marching as part of the Tidewater Irish American Society.  Please contact Heather Burns at h.burns@charter.net if you are interested in joining us.  The more the merrier!

Pictured is Cavan, a 2 year old male Irish Wolfhound rescued and adopted from the Virginia Beach SPCA in July.  He was found emaciated and running the streets of Virginia Beach and is named after a county in Ireland …Cavan.

The Lion King returns to Chrysler Hall stage on Tuesday, November 30 for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, January 2. The opening night is Thursday, December 2 at 7:30PM.  THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world.

THE LION KING Disney Production will play Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30PM,  Fridays and Saturday evenings at 8:00PM, Sunday evenings at 6:30PM, Saturday matinees at 2:00PM with Sunday matinees at 1:00PM. The performance schedule exceptions are due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays: there will be 2:00PM matinees on Thursday, December 23 and Wednesday, December 29; performance times on Friday, December 31 are 1:00PM and 6:30PM; there will not be a 2:00PM matinee on Saturday, December 25 and Saturday, January 1; and there will be no performances on Friday, December 24.

To charge tickets call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 (Customer Service Hours: M-F 9AM – 8PM, Sat 9AM – 8PM, Sun 9AM – 6PM). Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling 757-664-6980 (M-F 10AM – 5:30PM).  For more info, visit LionKing.com.

Chrysler Hall,    215 St Pauls Blvd,  Norfolk VA 23510      (757) 664-6464

New York is but a short drive for Hampton Roads residents.  And if there is any way you can get there for the Holiday season, it’s a magical delight.  The department store windows are always fantastic and this year they are out of this world.  Our good friend, Thomas Cathey, a designer in NY, has shared his wonderful photos of the windows from Bergdorf Goodman’s.

Get it in Gear

50 hours to create this Paper Sculpture!

Leo

Capricorn

We have  posted a few of the window photos for you to see here, but be sure to check out the rest of Tom’s fantastic holiday photos on his blog, Toms Eye View.

Bring the family out to ring in the new year at our international daytime event on Friday, Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a countdown to noon, visit animal friends from the Teeny Tiny Farm, enjoy crafts and games with prizes – all with an international touch!

Museum admission (free for members), plus an additional fee for some of the children’s activities. Bring your quarters or purchase a child’s wrist band ($8 in advance, $10 at the door). The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Jan. 1, and reopen on a regular schedule Sunday, Jan. 2.

Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601 :  (757) 595-1900

VLM, Virginia Living Museum, is featuring fantastic Laser Light shows every month.

Dates: Second Saturday of every month
Times: Family Fun Show at 8:30pm; Hard Rock at 10pm; Pink Floyd at 11:30pm

Looking for something fun to do on a Saturday night?   Well look no further than the incredible laser light shows at the Abbitt Planetarium!   They’ve got an incredible new state-of-the-art laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of our dome. It’s the most amazing light show you’ve ever seen!   Plus they’ve got music to suit every taste!  Featuring different bands each month, so be sure to check out the latest offering!   Want a little astronomy to go with you fun?   Visit the Star Party and look through a telescope before coming in.  Note: The Wild Side Cafe will be open from 6-9pm with a selection of grab-and-go foods, snack and drinks.

Cost: $6 ($3 for members); Double Feature – any 2 shows (planetarium and laser) for $10 ($5 members)

524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23601

Phone: 757-595-1900

Once through the military check point visitors will enter a small gift shop and pay the admission fee to enter the light house.

The fee is $5 for 13 and up and $3 for kids under 12.  There are also group rates available.  Children under 42 inches are not permitted in the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is open from 10am until 4pm November 1 through March 15 and from March 16 until October 31 it is open 10am until 5pm except Nov 24, Dec 24, 25, 30, 31.

Location: 583 Atlantic Avenue

Fort Story, Virginia  23459

Visit Cape Henry Lighthouse Website

If you are looking for a local day trip with your family, plan on spending 30 minutes to an hour visiting Fort Story and then drive several miles to First Landing State Park (beach side) and spend the day at the beach.  This area of the beach is unlike most of Virginia today as it has preserved dunes, and scenic lookouts.

There is a fee to enter the park for the day (approx $5 per car).  The beach access has bathrooms and showers.

First Landing State Park was previously Seashore State Park. Click here to visit First Landing State Park Website.