Planetarium wins drawing for rock-music laser shows

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University’s Ward Beecher Planetarium will present a series of laser shows Feb. 22 and 23, featuring The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, in addition to shows on black history and astronomy.

The shows are coming to YSU out of sheer luck. Curt Spivey, planetarium engineer, was attending the Great Lakes Planetarium Conference in Pittsburgh last fall when he dropped his business card in a bin for a drawing at the exhibit booth for Prismatic Magic and Radiant Laser Systems. Spivey’s card later was picked as the winner of the grand prize: free laser shows.

“I lucked out,” he said. “We are very excited.”

Though the Ward Beecher Planetarium always has been and always will be free and open to the public, a suggested donation of $1 per person for this special event will allow the planetarium to continue to bring programs such as this to the Mahoning Valley.

Seating is first come, first served. Doors open approximately 15 to 20 minutes before show time. All programs are approximately 40 minutes long. Visit www.wbplanetarium.org or call 330-941-1370 for more details.

Here’s the schedule:

Feb. 22, 6 p.m. Laser Beatles — Take a mind-warping ride on a “Yellow Submarine” while you “Twist and Shout” after a “Hard Day’s Night.”

Feb. 22 and 23, 7 p.m. Laser Led Zeppelin — Get the Led out with monolithic songs such as “Rock ’n Roll,” “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dazed and Confused.”

Feb. 22 and 23, 9 p.m. Laser Pink Floyd – Be in awe of Pink Floyd’s stunning career with songs from “Dark Side of the Moon,” “The Wall” and “Wish You Were Here.”

Feb. 23, 4 p.m. Black History — Celebrate the important contributions of many African-American figures and artists during this musical narration through time.

Feb. 23, 5 p.m. Lasers in Astronomy — Discover how today’s astronomers and planetary scientists are using lasers to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

In addition, the planetarium’s regularly scheduled shows will also be presented:

Feb. 22 and 23, 8 p.m. Black Holes – The Other Side of Infinity — Liam Neeson narrates this immersive journey into the heart of the most fascinating object in the universe, a black hole.

Feb. 23, 1 and 2:30 p.m. Two Small Pieces of Glass — Attend a star party to learn about the history of the telescope and its many contributions to our knowledge of the universe.