Star Party/Laser Evenings

Star Gazing

The Virginia Living Museum offers free star gazing beginning at sunset on the second Saturday of every month. Star gazing is weather dependent. Several telescopes are set up on the grounds and staff astronomers are available to help visitors identify objects in the night sky.

The evening also includes a planetarium program and several laser shows. Shows are $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

The Wild Side Café is open on Star Party nights from 6-8:30pm.

Laser Nights

Looking for some Saturday night fun? Start with a planetarium program. Then experience a sensory extravaganza as laser shows provide music to both the eyes and ears every second Saturday of the month. The museum has an incredible state-of-the-art laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the dome. It’s the most amazing light show you’ve ever seen! Plus, there’s music to suit every taste. Different bands are featured every month.

Cost: Members $3, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

Saturday, June 10

Cost: Members $3 per show, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

Purchase Tickets Now

Laseropolis

Time: 6:30pm

Recommended: ages 6 and up

A mind-blowing mix of music and equally dazzling laser effects come together to make a truly awesome laser experience. Jam to bands like Oasis, Future Sounds of London, Emerson Lake & Palmer and so much more. Ancient towers hide the symbols that will transport you to new experiences of sight and sounds. Should you survive the journey through the four space-time pillars, a portal will be opened into a previously unseen and unheard dimension! Laseropolis is an eclectic mix of musical themes surveying pop, rock, alternative and oldies.

Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 6.

Show Playlist

Karn Evil 9 by Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Head Over Feet by Alanis Morrisette
Rock Lobster by The B52s
Firestarter by Prodigy
Under the Milky Way by The Church
Papua New Guinea by Future Sounds of London
Spiderwebs by No Doubt

Foreplay by Boston
Champagne Supernova by Oasis
End of the World (As We Know It) by REM
Torn by Creed
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
One of These Days by Pink Floyd

Virginia Skies

Time: 7:30pm

Explore the evening skies above Virginia in this classic planetarium presentation. A staff astronomer will discuss seasonal constellations as well as any planets visible. Additional topics may be explored depending on celestial happenings around the time of your visit.

Laser Country

Time: 8:30pm

Laser Country is dedicated to some of the greatest country hits of all time. Set to the all-American sounds of modern and classical country songs, this laser show will appeal to all generations! From Garth Brooks and Shania Twain to Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline, this show promises to be a boot-scootin’ good time!

Please note that daytime shows will feature a reduced playlist for time considerations. Song selections determined by the operator.

This program is family-friendly: Inappropriate song lyrics have been eliminated or blanked.

Show Playlist

Ain’t Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up) by Garth Brooks
Me and My Gang by Rascal Flatts
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
All American Girl by Carrie Underwood
Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson
The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band

Good Lord Willing by Little Big Town
How Am I Doin’? by Dierks Bentley
All My Exes Live in Texas by George Strait
Crazy by Patsy Cline
Chicken Fried by The Zak Brown Band
God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood

The Vision Bell

Time: 10:00pm

Recommended: ages 15 and above

Inspired by the release of 1994’s “The Division Bell,” this Pink Floyd laser show combines their most recent material with some of their oldest.
Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 15. Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.
Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.
Show Playlist

Keep Talking
One Slip
Astronomy Domine
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Have a Cigar
Wish You Were Here

Another Brick in the Wall (Part I)
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
Hey You
Is There Anybody Out There?
Pigs on the Wing (Part II)
One of These Days
Hero’s Return

The Wall

Time: 11:30pm

Recommended: ages 15 and above

The Wall is best considered as a continual story rather than a collection of individual songs. It tells the tale of a rock star named Pink and his downward spiral into madness. To the listener, and indeed many critics, The Wall is a gripping and spellbinding musical journey – beautiful, haunting, powerful and thought provoking. It is a timeless classic, and one of Pink Floyd’s best, becoming the group’s second best seller behind Dark Side of the Moon.

Now coupled with spectacular and mesmerizing laser art, Pink Floyd’s classic 1979 epic about personal struggle takes on a unique look, weaving its story in one of the most popular laser shows ever produced! Visitors will become lost and spellbound as their senses join this timeless journey.

Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 15.

Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.

Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Show Playlist

In the Flesh
The Thin Ice
Another Brick in the Wall (Part I)
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
Mother
Goodbye Blue Sky

Empty Spaces
Young Lust
Another Brick in the Wall (Part III)
Hey You
Comfortably Numb
Stop
The Trial

Saturday, July 8

Cost: Members $3 per show, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

Purchase Tickets Now

Spirit of America

Time: 6:30pm

Recommended: ages 6 and above

Join us in the Abbitt Planetarium for a celebration of America. Spirit of America mixes great patriotic music with America-inspired rock & roll and songs that have defined American music. Rock on to great artists like John Fogerty, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood and so many, many more.

Show Playlist

God Bless America by Celine Dion
Hoedown by Aaron Copeland
Centerfield by John Fogerty
Fifties Medley by Various Artists
The Star Spangled Banner by KISS
The World’s Greatest by R. Kelly

Servicemen on Parade by Aaron Copeland
Standing Outside the Fire by Garth Brooks
Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp
Only in America by Brooks & Dunn
State Medley by Various Artists
God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood

Virginia Skies

Time: 7:30pm

Laser Vinyl

Time: 8:30pm

Remember the days when you bought an album as much for the cover art as for the music…the days of vinyl? Then this laser show is for you. Rock on with solid hits from bands like Journey, Boston, Kansas and many more! This is lasers old school style! Accompanying a fantastic musical concert representing the best of classic rock is some of the most beautiful and stunning laser art ever produced! Reminisce, tap your feet and enjoy a truly fantastic audio-visual event that will rock your body, mind and soul!

This program is family-friendly: Inappropriate song lyrics have been eliminated or blanked.

Show Playlist

Karn Evil 9 by ELP
Jump by Van Halen
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas
Rock-n-Roll All Night by Kiss

Dream On by Aerosmith
Rock-n-Roll Band by Boston
Separate Ways by Journey
One of These Days by Pink Floyd

Laser Queen

Time: 10:00pm

There can be only one… Laser Queen! Since its World Premiere at Pacific Science Center, Laser Queen has been an instant classic for audiences of all ages. Queen perfected the art of creating the most epic, and immortal rock anthems of all time. Freddie Mercury may be gone, but the Queen saga lives on! The rock will be loud, emotions high, and LASER light bright when we play all the sing-along hits: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Under Pressure,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and of course “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Show Playlist

Stone Cold Crazy
Princes of the Universe
Killer Queen
Bohemian Rhapsody
We Are the Champions
Fat Bottomed Girls
Under Pressure
We Will Rock You

Bicycle Race
Another One Bites the Dust
Best Friend
Flash
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Somebody to Love
I Want it All

Dark Side of the Moon

Time: 11:30pm

Recommended: ages 15 and above

From the very beginning of lasers, this album has represented the ultimate in laser show experiences. And it’s still true today. Join us for the seminal laser show experience with one of the most incredible albums of all time. Considered by many critics to be the album that brought the commercial breakthrough to Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere.

Please note that we do not recommend this program for children under the age of 15.

Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable.

Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Show Playlist

Speak to Me
Breathe
On the Run
Time
The Great Gig in the Sky

Money
Us and Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse

Saturday, August 12

Cost: Members $3 per show, non-members $6 per show. Double features are $5 for VLM members and $10 for non-members.

Purchase Tickets Now

ElectroLaze

Time: 6:30pm

Recommended: ages 6 and above

The latest craze in music? Electronic Dance Music! Come to the planetarium and experience this incredible trend with ElectroLaze. With amazing music by artists like MSTRKRFT and John Legend, Daft Punk, and Tiesto we guarantee you’ll be dancing in your seat!

This program is family-friendly: Inappropriate song lyrics have been eliminated or blanked.

Show Playlist

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites by Skrillex
Internet Friends by Knife Party
Raise Your Weapon by Deadmau5
Man on the Run by Dash Berlin
Energy Wizard by Squarepusher

Heartbreaker by MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend
Levels by Avicii
Derezzed by Daft Punk
Chasing Summers by Tiesto
Slam by Pendulum

Virginia Skies

Time: 7:30pm

Laser Mania

Time: 8:30pm

Recommended: ages 6 and above

Surveying soft rock, pop, and adult contemporary and easy listening music, this fun family laser concert is a beautiful artistic interpretation for all ages. Featuring music from over five decades, hearts, eyes and ears will enjoy the dazzling colors and laser art set to a collection of musical delights in an immersive visual environment. Laser Mania takes it to the next level with tracks by Weird Al Yankovic, Celine Dion, Beck and many more.

This program is family-friendly: Inappropriate song lyrics have been eliminated or blanked.

Show Playlist

Mortal Kombat Theme by The Immortals
Blue by Eiffel 65
Smooth by Santana
Men in Black by Will Smith
Man, I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain
That’s the Way It Is by Celine Dion
Time Warp Medley by Various Artists

Desert Rose by Sting
Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars by Weird Al Yankovic
Mixed Bizness by Beck
Under the Milky Way by The Church
Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin
All the Small Things by Blink 182

Laser Aerosmith

Time: 10:00pm Laser Aerosmith

Laser Aerosmith features hits by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers including “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” “Dream On,” “Back in the Saddle,” and “Train Kept A-Rollin’.” The songs may be retro, but the light displays and multimedia experience are state of the art.

Show Playlist