Shows in Honor of Black History Month, Valentine’s Day Highlight RVCC Planetarium’s February Programs

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium’s offerings in February include special programs in honor of Black History Month and shows celebrating Valentine’s Day. Some highlights of the Planetarium’s February schedule include:

Our Lovely Skies, Saturday, February 7, 7 p.m.

Constellations memorialize love lost and love gained. Planets are named for Roman and Greek gods who have stories of their own. Beautiful stellar nebulas remind us of celestial flower bouquets. Discover these treasures and more in this light-hearted, family-friendly show about the love stories in the sky. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

Laser Love, Saturdays, February 7 & 14, 8 p.m.

This laser concert celebrating love includes such tunes as “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher, and “Tale as Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast. (The February 7 program is recommended for ages 10-adult, but the February 14, Valentine’s Day show, is for ages 16-adult only.)

Romancing the Stars, Saturday, February 14, 7 p.m.

It’s date night at the RVCC Planetarium. Enjoy a light-hearted look at the Universe with a show focusing on stars, constellations, songs, and stories that all celebrate love. (For audiences ages 16-adult only)

Follow the Drinking Gourd, Saturdays, February 21 & 28, 3 p.m.

Learn to find the Big Dipper and other stars in the night sky. Then, we’ll go back in time to follow a family trying to escape oppression. The Big Dipper guides the family through a frightful but rewarding voyage. Sing along with the slaves who used the Drinking Gourd song to travel north on foot from Alabama to Canada. Based on Jeanette Winter’s same-titled book, the show describes the astronomy behind the slave song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Exploring the Underground Railroad with Codes, Saturdays, February 21 & 28, 2-5 p.m.

This special Planetarium program will feature free, hands-on activities inspired by codes found in quilt squares and the song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Participants will learn about astronomy and the Underground Railroad, a secretive network of people and places that helped thousands of enslaved people move northward as far as Canada to escape slavery. Participants also may view displays about nature, codes, and African Americans who have made a difference. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Other Planetarium shows open to the public in February include:

• The Sky Above, a sensory-friendly program that’s specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum and other developmental disorders, Saturday, February 7, 5 p.m.

• Accidental Astronauts, Saturdays, February 7 & 14, 3 p.m. (Recommended for ages 6-12); trailer: https://youtu.be/lRd13aDT_mA

• Laser Kids laser concert, Saturdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28, 4 p.m. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

• Sunset Meditation, a guided meditation experience in the Planetarium’s comfortable, reclined seats: Friday, February 13, 7 p.m. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

• Asteroid: Mission Extreme star show, exploring the possibility of astronauts reaching an asteroid, Saturdays, February 21 & 28, 7 p.m. (Recommended for ages 8-adult); trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EH_n3x8FkI

• Laser Queen laser concert, featuring Queen’s hit songs, Saturdays, February 21 & 28, 8 p.m.

For a complete schedule of Planetarium star shows and laser concerts open to the public, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium/public-shows.

Planetarium tickets cost $11 for one show, $20 for two shows back-to-back on the same day. Reservations are recommended, but all ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show. Late admission to Planetarium programs is not permitted. For reservations and information, call 908-231-8805 or email planet@raritanval.edu. For additional information, visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Planetarium laser shows include loud music, flashing lights, and rapidly moving graphics, all in a dark environment, and therefore may not be recommended for those who are sensitive to these conditions or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by them.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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