Events

This special exhibition will tell the stories of one of Newport News’ finest industries – shipbuilding. Highlighting this exhibition are the paintings of Thomas Skinner, as well as early photographs of the Newport News Shipyard (Northrop Grumman Newport News) and artifacts from the shipbuilding industry. The exhibition also features interactive activities and videos examining the art of shipbuilding. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.  Included in regular admission. Adults, $14; AAA members, military, students, $13; seniors, $12; children (6-12), $8.

The Hampton Roads Bird Club has monitored the bird population of Newport News Park since 1965. Join club volunteers in the Picnic Area I parking lot every first and third Sunday of the month for some early morning birding. Be prepared to car pool to several areas in the park. Beginners are welcome. Binoculars and field guides are recommended. Free.

 Kids can come and enjoy painting in our Hands On For Kids Gallery and enjoy different activities each week. Designed for children of all ages, accompanied by an adult, the Gallery is open daily for self-directed activities. Call for activity schedule, program hours and registration information. Included in regular admission. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6.00; children (6-12), $4.00.  Free admission Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Members of the Virginia Peninsula Astronomy/Stargazers (VPAS) will be on-site to share their knowledge of the evening skies. Drop by just after sunset for a glimpse of the night sky (weather permitting). Second and fourth Friday of each month. Free.

Looking for something fun to do on a Saturday night? Well look no further than the incredible laser light shows at the Abbitt Planetarium! The incredible new state-of-the-art laser system splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the planetarium dome. It’s the most amazing light show you’ve ever seen! Members, $3; non-members, $6. Double features: members, $5;  non-members, $10. (second Saturday each month); Times and programs vary, call for details.

Enjoy a changing array of live music and activities. Light hors d’oeuvres. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Third Thursday each month.

The third Saturday of the month is always “story time” at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear an animal-related story and see a live animal presentation. Included in regular admission. Adults, $15; children (3-12), $12.

This speaker series includes authors, museum staff and others. Upcoming programs include: Strategies of Senior Military Women (April 25); Cruising Cold: Eagle Cruise in the Pacific Northwest:2008 (May 16) and Combat Stories of the USS Monitor and her Crew (May 30). Included in regular admission. Adults, $14; AAA members, military, students, $13; seniors, $12; children (6-12), $8. (Last Saturday each month)

Explore the skies above you with this exciting interactive program at the Abbitt Planetarium. A staff astronomer will take you on a tour of the current skies, highlighting visible planets, deep sky objects and any upcoming special astronomical events. Once you’ve had your introductory tour, feel free to ask your astronomy questions! We’ll use our state-of-the-art planetarium visualization system to take you to see objects of curiosity and wonder. Different every time you see it, this program is great for the entire family. Recommended for all ages. Members, $2 or planetarium voucher; non-members, $5 or $4 with museum admission (adults, $15; children (3-12), $12). Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m.

Each month enjoy a full-length film that celebrates the arts. Featured films are: Take the Lead (March 13); Freedom Writers (April 10); Great Debaters (May 8); Happy Feet (June 12); Save the Last Dance (July 10) and a High School Musical marathon (August 14). All films suitable for ages 10 and up. Free. (second Friday each month)

Share your favorite poetry or original works with us the third Thursday of each month. Step up to the microphone and express yourself or just come to enjoy the evening. Free.  

The exhibition features a range of glass artifacts from the museum’s historical maritime collection. Included are decorative panels from the famous steamship United States; a 19th century cobalt-blue rolling pin from the brig Leonora; a commemorative goblet from Admiral Lord Nelson’s funeral; a sixth-order Fresnel lighthouse lens; a 19th century captain’s liquor chest and glassware recovered from the ironclad USS Monitor. Sea Glass, Pieces from the Collection is part of Art of Glass 2, a regional collaborative effort among Hampton Roads museums to celebrate the very best in contemporary art glass. Included in regular admission. Adults, $14; AAA members, military, students, $13;seniors, $12; children (6-12), $8. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.

Celebrating Hampton Roads is a series of four exhibitions that showcase the breadth and depth of work from the region by established and emerging artists. The centerpiece of the series is Tale of Seven Cities, the 2009 juried theme exhibition of the Tidewater Art Alliance (TAA). Founded in 1901, the TAA is a 139-member strong allinace of visual artists and arts patrons. In addition to Tales of Seven Cities, Celebrating Hampton Roads also includes Genesis 2009: College Student Juried Exhibition (April 4to May 10); Prefaces 2009: High School Student Exhibition (May 14 to July 7) and Every Picture Tells a Story: The Art and Times of Edward Welch (June 13 to July 12). Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Free admission Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

For pre-school children and their caregivers. We’ll share a story at the Discovery Center then take a short walk to look for things we just read about. Dress for the weather. Free. (second Wednesday each month)  

Meet a Newport News park naturalist for a fun and informative program. Program dates and topics vary. Call for more information. Free.

2009 has been designated as the International Year of Astronomy and is the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei’s groundbreaking use of a telescope for astronomical purposes. As part of this worldwide celebration, the museum will be hosting free star parties every month to encourage everyone to experience the wonder of looking through a telescope. A staff astronomer will also be on hand to answer astronomy questions. Observing session dependant on weather. Free; fee for evening planetarium programs. Members, $3; non-members, $6. (second Saturday each month); Times vary, call for hours.

Meet a Newport News park naturalist for a fun and informative program. Program dates, times and topics vary. Call for more information. Free.

Totally awesome! This show will take you back to the days of leg warmers, big hair and excellent music. Fun for the whole family, you’ll rock on to music from great 80s bands like New Order, The Cure and way more. Ticket prices to be announced.

What’s going on with the weather? Join the intrepid explorers of the Zula Patrol to find out.  Learn about different kinds of weather on different planets as the team races to find their friend Gorga and stop the evil Dark Truder from finding the Kabooie Ruby and taking over all of Zula. Members, $2; non-members, $5.

Bring family and friends for a leisurely 45-minute hayride along Newport News Park’s bikeway and learn about the park. Rides are free, but each participant will need to pick up a ticket (available after 6:30 p.m.) at the Campsite Office. Free.

To save their home, two fish must touch the Moon in this amazing family ocean adventure. Kaluoka’hina: The Enchanted Reef transports the viewer to a tropical reef, a one-of-a-kind world inhabited by creatures that are humorous and courageous, lovable and bizarre, charming and dangerous. The reef's colorful inhabitants have always lived in peace, until a volcanic catastrophe breaks the spell. Now it’s up to Jake, a young sawfish, and his buddy Shorty, a lively reef fish, to restore the magic of their home. 3D-animation, combined with a full-dome format, places the spectator in the middle of the action. Members, $2; non-members, $5.

Take a “voyage” on the most biologically diverse river in the world, the Amazon River in South America.  Encounter amazing creatures, including notorious piranhas, enormous anacondas, beautiful stingrays and mysterious pink dolphins, all in one amazing exhibit. Through hands-on interactive stations, multimedia presentations and fish-filled aquariums, visitors learn about the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon, encounter field researchers making new discoveries and participate in a celebration of the river. Investigate the scientific, social and economic choices that shape the Amazon's future. This new exhibit from the Miami Museum of Science is an amazing bilingual exhibition that blends science and nature into one great family experience. Included in regular admission. Adults, $15; children (3-12), $12.

It’s estimated that each year 14 billion pounds of trash and over 230 million plastic bottles are dumped into the world’s oceans. The special exhibition, which features the compelling photographs of  Andy Hughes and Chris Jordan, will examine the phenomenon of American consumerism and its environmental impact. Sculptures created by students and faculty from Christopher Newport University and the College of William and Mary will also be featured. Included in regular admission. Adults, $14; AAA members, military, students, $13; seniors, $12; children (6-12), $8. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.

Grab a picnic basket, a bottle of wine, a chair or a blanket and come out for a great night of music and entertainment with some of today’s top local and regional bands in a family-friendly atmosphere. Free. (Wednesdays)

Join the Museum for its annual free concert series on the banks of Lake Maury, overlooking the full-scale replica of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy live music. Adult beverages, soft drinks and food for sale. Arrive early and take advantage of free admission to the museum after 4 p.m. One of a series of special events celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Mariners’ Museum. Free; items for sale.