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

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

Ho Ho Ho … what a fun site to visit before Christmas … Northpole.com !  Downloads, games, e-cards, and stories keep kids busy until the big night, when they can actually track Santa with NORAD. There’s even a huge area for parents, with printables perfect for homeschooling and a ton of recipes.

Kids can check out Santa’s workshop, read stories about Santa, the elves and reindeer, chat with Santa’s elves, and print out fun activities.

Tons of things for teachers too, including basic skills and printable flash cards.  It’s a fun-filled site for preschool kids and kids in general.

Christmas music and holiday lights await you at Christmas Town in Williamsburg at Busch Gardens.  This is the second year for this fun and festive event and definitely a great family place for a Holiday outing.

Christmas Town will now be open from 3 – 10 p.m., which is a two-hour extension to each day. During Christmas Eve the park will be open from 3 – 9 p.m. closing one hour early.  The park will open each evening Dec. 18 – 27, excluding Christmas Day.  There are Christmas shows throughout the town and nearly a dozen rides are open throughout the park (excluding Italy, which will only open to ease park congestion if needed).

Christmas Town admission tickets are available for $19.95. Guests with active Busch Gardens passes save 50 percent on Christmas Town tickets as well as free parking and in-park discounts.

Event details are available on the new Christmas Town Web site at www.christmastown.com.