Top Programs and Events at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in April and May
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age
Now Open
Return to the Ice Age. In Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age, you will encounter some of Earth's most awe-inspiring mammals, roam among saber-toothed cats and giant bears, and wonder over some of the oldest human artifacts in existence. Life-size models, fossil tusks and skulls, touchable teeth, spear points, cave paintings, interactive displays, and videos bring the Ice Age back to life. You'll also enjoy a point of pride for Coloradans as you relive the story of the Snowmastodon Project, the exceptional Ice Age fossil site unearthed near Snowmass Village in 2010. You'll see specimens from the site and hear about the science that is emerging from this historic discovery.
IMAX
Titans of the Ice Age3D
Now Open
Titans of the Ice Age 3D transports you back 10,000 years before modern civilization to the beautiful and otherworldly landscapes of North America, Europe, and Asia. Peer through the 3D canvas as dazzling computer-generated imagery brings this mysterious era and its giant animals to life. You will come face to face with saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and woolly mammoths as they share the land with early humans who both feared and relied upon these majestic beasts. Experience this dynamic chapter in the age-old story of human ingenuity, a “trial by ice” that compelled our ancestors to seek understanding and meaning in nature.
Flight of the Butterflies 3D
Now Open
A scientific adventure. A compelling detective story. A stunning sight to see. Flight of the Butterflies 3D is all this and more. Dr. Fred Urquhart spent nearly 40 years working to discover the monarch butterflies’ secret hideaway and solve the mystery of their unique migration path. In this dazzling 3D film, you will experience the inspiring story of this scientist’s passion and see up close the lifecycle of these beautiful creatures. Get a butterfly’s eye-view of the world as you fly over North America and into the isolated mountaintops in Mexico where you will encounter hundreds of millions of fluttering monarchs.
APRIL EVENTS
An Evening in IMAX: Titans of the Ice Age 3D
Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m., $12 member, $15 nonmember
Get transported to a time when giant animals roamed the Earth! Enjoy the new film Titans of the Ice Age 3D, which brings saber-toothed cats, woolly mammoths, and other stars of the Ice Age to life. Before the film, Museum paleontologists Ian Miller and Joe Sertich will talk about the end of the Ice Age and the mammoths and mastodons that called Colorado home. It’s sure to be megafauna fun for the whole family!
Introducing Dr. Scott Sampson
Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m., $8 member, $10 nonmember
Scott Sampson is a dinosaur paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and science communicator. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs, and he has conducted fieldwork in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Madagascar, Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Join us at this evening lecture to welcome Scott as the new vice president of research and collections and chief curator and to learn more about him and his research.
Science Lounge: Color Me Science
Thursday, April 18, 6:30–9:30 p.m., $10 member, $12 nonmember
(If sold out online, tickets available at the door.) Enjoy a mind-expanding experience with cocktails and entertainment every third Thursday of the month. Ages 21 and up. This month, experience the spectrum from the ultraviolet to the infrared. We’ll shed some light on phenomena like bioluminescence and fluorescence in rocks. Make your own colorful creation as you experiment with the rainbow, and try our signature cocktail, the Prismatic.
SCFD Community FREE Day – Earth Day
Sunday, April 21, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., FREE
Enjoy family-friendly activities such as face painting, crafts, and hands-on learning activities about animals, energy, and planetary wellness. You’ll see Mr. Bones the giant dinosaur puppet, follow a scavenger hunt through the Museum, take a Secrets of the Diorama tour, and help us celebrate the 40th birthday of the roaring saber-toothed cat in the main lobby. Sponsored by Xcel Energy.
MAY EVENTS
World Premiere: Kenji Williams Presents Bella Gaia
Friday, May 3, 8 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Award-winning director and classically trained violinist Kenji Williams returns to Denver for the world premiere of Bella Gaia, a new planetarium show that combines art, music, and science. This spectacular “living atlas” journey uses NASA images and simulates space flight, taking you on a fantastic journey around planet Earth and the space that surrounds it. Brilliant images and sound illuminate the connections between natural systems and human activities, inspiring a renewed reflection of interrelationships of our world. During this special evening, Williams will enhance this new dome experience with a live performance.
SCFD Community FREE Day
Sunday, May 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., FREE
Enjoy outstanding permanent exhibitions, including Expedition Health, Space Odyssey, Prehistoric Journey, and Egyptian Mummies
An Evening in IMAX: Flight of the Butterflies 3D
Tuesday, May 14, 7 p.m., $12 member, $15 nonmember
Celebrate spring and join us for a screening of the dazzling new film Flight of the
Butterflies 3D. Experience the inspiring story of a scientist who spent 40 years working
to discover the monarch butterflies’ secret hideaway and solve the mystery of their
unique migration path. Scientists Frank Krell from the Museum and Chris Pague from
The Nature Conservancy will share other compelling stories of migration and shifting
ranges in the face of climate change. After ward, enjoy cookies and coffee and
continue the discussion.
Science Lounge: Venus and Vodka
Thursday, May 16, 6:30–9:30 p.m., $10 member, $12 nonmember
(If sold out online, tickets available at the door.) Enjoy a mind-expanding experience with cocktails and entertainment every third Thursday of the month. Ages 21 and up. This month, sneak a peek at the hottest planet in our solar system through telescopes on the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace (weather permitting) while sipping our signature cocktail, the Venus Sunrise. After getting a view of the real thing, take a much closer look at the second planet from the sun during a virtual trip across the Venusian landscape.
Going Wild at the Museum
For teens: Friday, May 17, 6:30 p.m., (ages 13-17), $10 member, $10 nonmember
For adults: Friday, May 17, 8:30 p.m., (21+ only), $12 member, $15 nonmember
For families: Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. & noon, $12 member, $8 member child, $15 nonmember, $10 nonmember child
Biodiversity rules and it’s live! Conservation biologist and crowd favorite Rob Mies returns with a new set of live wild friends. Learn about the largest and smallest animals living on Earth today, and hear about strange and wonderful adaptations animals make within their own environments. Meet a two-toed sloth from South America, a barred owl, an Australian bearded dragon, and a striped skunk.
MEDIA CONTACT
Charlotte Hurley: 303-370-6407, [email protected]
NOTE: Please let me know if this monthly event/program update is more appropriate for another person at your organization, so we can update our contact list.
About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum, check www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000.
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Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.