Space is way, way out there. But sometimes it gets spacey right here on Earth. "Galaxies' Greatest Hits," is a music show, which showcases the planetarium's brand new, full-dome, digital projection capabilities to spectacular effect.
The team at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre had a lot of fun putting this together, and it shows. "Seeing what the new, full-dome arena can do has been both experimental and entertaining for staff,” says Lisa McIntosh, Director of Learning at the Centre. The new, digital projector has been in place since July 2013.
The show is inspired by the music from classic and recent science fiction movies. The music is enhanced by surreal, fantastical imagery thereby transporting visitors to transformative, mood-provoking environments.
The music choices are taken from a wide range of movies including The Day the Earth Stood Still to the beautiful and serene Blue Danube waltz that was prominent in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Other selections include music from Return of the Jedi, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and the more recent, Gravity.
“It’s our homage to the science fiction movie experience,” explains McIntosh. “We take the audience on a journey through time and space.”
The best part is that this show has a lot of heart and, if you pay attention, a sweet sense of humour: After a dark and ominous music selection from 2001, the show lightens the mood with "Don't Worry; Be Happy—" something one wouldn't necessarily expect at a science fiction show.
Don't worry science geeks; our needs are also met. The show flowed seemlessly from a musical show into an entertaining, scientific examination of the universe. Of course, non-lovers of science could leave whenever they wanted (or, ahem, got a little space sick). It really was two shows in one—an excellent entertainment value.
The next time this show is at the Space Centre be sure to take a buddy!
The next time this show is at the Space Centre be sure to take a buddy!
Galaxies' Greatest Hits
Saturday 1 March 2014 at 7:30 PM
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9
(604) 738-7827
www.spacecentre.ca
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