Top Programs and Events at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in May and June
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age
Closes May 27
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
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.
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.
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.
Space Day
Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., FREE
Join the Denver Museum of Nature & Science as we focus on the exploration of space. The day’s events will include a special presentation by retired NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II, who lives in Colorado. McCandless will speak in Gates Planetarium at noon. In addition, there will be other presentations by space scientists and educators, and opportunities to safely view the sun using solar telescopes (weather permitting).
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. Thanks to support from Delta Dental, Museum visitors can say hi to the Tooth Fairy and learn dental health tips.
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 workingto discover the monarch butterflies’ secret hideaway and solve the mystery of theirunique migration path. Scientists Frank Krell from the Museum and Chris Pague fromThe Nature Conservancy will share other compelling stories of migration and shiftingranges in the face of climate change. Afterward, enjoy cookies and coffee andcontinue 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.
Summer of Science Films in IMAX
Friday, May 31 through Monday, September 2, Buy Three IMAX Films, Get One Free
Phipps IMAX Theater reaches its 30th anniversary this summer, so we invite you to create your own film festival as you select from some new films and some returning favorites picked by the public. You will step into the cool darkness of the theater and find yourself swept away on many adventures, taking you from the ocean’s darkest depths to the far corners of the universe. The IMAX Theater offers an immersive experience, with a powerful 3D digital projection system, digital surround-sound, and a four-and-a-half-story-tall screen. See three IMAX films, get one free! Pick up your punch card at any admissions desk. Phipps IMAX Theater is open daily. Find showtimes and ticket information @ www.dmns.org/imax.
JUNE EVENTS
SCFD Community FREE Day
Monday, June 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., FREE
Enjoy outstanding permanent exhibitions, including Expedition Health, Space Odyssey, Prehistoric Journey, and Egyptian Mummies.
Issues of Today: Impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak
Tuesday, June 4, 7 p.m., $8 member, $10 nonmember
Enter into a dialogue about the mountain pine beetles that have dramatically changed our Colorado landscapes. Using the immersive imaging technology of Gates Planetarium, learn how these infestations arose and their impacts on forests and water supplies throughout western North America. This event is being presented through the Worldviews Network, and includes a chance to participate in a forum with scientists and other experts after the presentation. Geologist Bob Raynolds and space scientist Ka Chun Yu will be the evening’s presenters.
The Mysterious Life of Comets
Tuesday, June 11, 7 p.m., $8 member, $10 nonmember
Since the dawn of humanity, comets have inspired both fear and wonder. During the past 30 years, a number of spacecraft have zipped past comets, so shrouds of mystery surrounding these “dirty snowballs” are slowly being lifted. Joseph Veverka, professor of astronomy at Cornell University, has led several of these missions. He will discuss how our understanding of these so-called leftovers from the origins of the solar system have changed over time. How did comets and our solar system form? Did comets deliver most of the water and the building blocks of life to our infant planet? Perhaps most intriguing: Are we all made of comet stuff? Enjoy an evening of exploration with this world leader in planetary science.
Science Lounge: The Science of Art
Thursday, June 30, 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, learn how science has influenced art through the ages and make a science-inspired work of your own. Explore the Konovalenko: Gem Carvings of Russian Folk Life exhibit and learn about the geology and artistry behind each of the pieces.
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.