Charlie and I have been planning our Christmas Holiday Attractions we would like to visit. At the the top of the list is the Perot Museum. Charlie would like to bring his best friend Aiden who hasn’t ever been. I just wish I had the money to bring Charlie to one of the Sleepovers for his Birthday. In the meantime I would like to let you know the Perot Museum Shows A WHOLE NEW LIGHT during the Holidays.
SEE PEROT MUSEUM IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THROUGH ENLIGHTENING PROGRAMS, SPARKLING DISPLAYS, DINOSAURS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND MORE
Dallas AURORA comes to the Perot Museum, plus illuminated dinosaurs, a winter solstice celebration, giant kaleidoscope, dino dance parties, extended hours, Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibition, fall and winter Discovery Camps, 3D films and more.
As part of Dallas AURORA – the biannual light, video and sound festival – an original work of art is featured in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hallen titled “The Velocity of Light – A Kaleidoscopic Journey,” which transforms the hall’s imposing sculptural outcropping with moving kaleidoscopic light and colors. And the new “Aurora Butterfly of Peace” installation boasts 240 colorful diamonds with some serious sparkle. See details below.
“While the rush of the holidays can be fleeting, we hope guests will pause and take in the lights, sights and adventures of discovery at the Perot Museum – from the chance to be part of a giant kaleidoscope to experiencing our dinosaurs in brilliant illumination,” said Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum. “And we’re excited to collaborate with Dallas AURORA. It’s the perfect season to explore the Perot Museum in a whole new way.”
Also in the spotlight (and in its final weeks) is the popular Ultimate Dinosaurs traveling exhibition, which brings to life 17 incredible dinosaur species from the southern hemisphere including the Giganotosaurus (South America’s “king of the jungle” predator), Argentinosaurus (the world’s heaviest dinosaur) and other species unfamiliar to many North Americans.
Here is a roundup of the holiday happenings and must-sees:
ILLUMINATE. Through Jan. 6, guests are encouraged to don glowing or light-up attire and see the Museum in “a whole new light” with a kaleidoscope of illuminating programming.
DALLAS AURORA. The Perot Museum has commissioned “The Velocity of Light – A Kaleidoscopic Journey,” a multi-sensory work of light and color created by local artist Carmen Menza for Dallas AURORA. The piece is projected onto one of the hexagonal structures on the wall of the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall.
Also new to the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall for the holidays is the “Aurora Butterfly of Peace” featuring 240 colored diamonds (some that fluoresce) in the shape of a butterfly – from fiery orange to tranquil blue and rosy, pink. Inspired by the aurora borealis (northern lights), the “Aurora Butterfly” is adorned with diamonds from nearly every continent on Earth, took 12 years to create and is on loan from owner and curator Alan Bronstein.
Enthusiasts can learn more about these limited-time art installations and unearth the field of gemology during an intimate dialogue with Kimberly Vagner (Perot Museum Director of Gems and Minerals Center of Excellence) at A Day in the Life: Gemologist and Curator on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m.-noon. Tickets are $30 for non-members and $25 for members (includes all-day general admission).
LUMINOUS LINEUP. In the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall, guests will “ooh and ahh” as they see an amazing light show projected on the Museum’s most popular prehistoric creatures including T. Rex, Alamosaurus and more. These illuminations will take place at the top of every hour for approximately 30 minutes.
On weekends guests can enjoy an array of special activities such as spontaneous Dino dance parties, color scavenger hunts, appearances by “Roxy” the raptor, and creating stunning, pixelated displays using toy dinosaurs, shadows and diffused light with a “Dino light table.” And in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall visitors can become part of a giant kaleidoscope. Illuminated by LEDs and outfitted with a camera, a large-scale kaleidoscope allows friends and families to see (and take photos of) themselves in a series of patterned mirrored images.
Other illumination-themed fun includes special treats in the Café, bookworm reading time for tots, and trivia, experiments and demos involving the science of light.
WINTER SOLSTICE SUNRISE CELEBRATION. Celebrate the shortest day of the year with other Dallas sci-fun seekers on Friday, Dec. 21, from 6-9 a.m. Activities include a sunrise dance party in the Lobby, yoga amid the dinos in the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall, solstice science with the Brainiacs and more. Morning snacks will be available in the Café. Tickets are $25 for non-members and $20 for members (includes all-day general admission).
ULTIMATE DINOSAURS (through Jan. 6, 2019). These are not your old-school dinosaurs! Based on groundbreaking research from scientists around the world, Ultimate Dinosaurs reveals rarely seen, exotic species from the other side of the world from the tiny Eoraptor to the massive Giganotosaurus (T. rex’s bigger, badder cousin). Presented locally by Highland Capital Management, the exhibition is a fascinating introduction to dinosaurs that are unfamiliar to most North Americans.
Highlights include 15 fully articulated dinosaur casts, more than a dozen prehistoric specimens, augmented reality to experience the dinosaurs in the flesh, touchable fossilized dinosaur specimens, hands-on play spaces featuring miniature dinosaur dioramas and more. Presented in English and French (with a Spanish audio guide available), Ultimate Dinosaurs is presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota, supported locally by Hilton Hotels and requires a surcharge for members and non-members.
NEW PALEO LAB. The new glass-encased Paleo Lab in the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall gives guests real-time views of the dynamic dinosaur research of Museum paleontologists as they process and prepare fossils fresh from the field. Cameras in the lab project close-up examinations of live fossil preparation while Museum Brainiacs explain and demonstrate the tools and techniques, and how this work connects to the specimens displayed throughout the exhibit hall. Guests just might witness the unearthing of a new prehistoric species!
PROGRAMS AND FILMS. Discovery Camps, a winter wonderland sleepover, and 3D films will spark imaginations throughout the season.
DISCOVERY CAMPS. Eww, yuck! From Nov. 19-21, pre-K through 4th graders can ignite their minds with three days of “Gross Science” fall Discovery Camp, learning all about burping, boogers, excrement, gas, saliva and germs and how the brain, cells, heart, organs and blood contribute to the grossness. Also offered are winter Discovery Camps from Dec. 26-28 including “Junior Inventors” (pre-K) and “Light Explorers” (K-4th grade) and from Jan. 2-4 “Junior Engineers” (pre-K) and “Electric Engineers” (K-4thgrade). Visit perotmuseum.org/camps for registration and details.
WINTER WONDERLAND SLEEPOVER (Jan. 5, 2019). For an unforgettable, after-hours experience, book a night at the Perot Museum for a sleepover when kids and their adult chaperones can explore all five levels, enjoy a live science show, see a 3D film and more. On Jan. 5, the Winter Wonderland Sleepover will offer a whimsical, wintery night of science! Sleepovers start at $45 per child and $30 per adult chaperone. Visit perotmuseum.org/sleepovers for dates and themes.
3D FILMS. Rest those tired feet and awaken your mind with a quick flick! Shown in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience, the holiday lineup includes Waking the T. Rex 3D (through Jan. 6, 2019), Oceans 3D (through May 23, 2019) and America’s Musical Journey 3D (through May 23, 2019). To view trailers and film schedules, go to perotmuseum.org. Films are presented locally by Primrose Schools.
GIFTS THAT FIT ALL AGES AND STAGES
Brainy gifts. Did a light bulb just go off in your head? It happens a lot when shoppers discover the array of awesome gifts in store at the Museum Shop. From light-up merchandise, glistening geodes and unique toys to gadgets and science-themed “ugly sweaters,” shoppers can check out the spectrum of items at store.perotmuseum.org.
Memberships as gifts. It’s really the gift that keeps on giving. The Perot Museum offers a variety of options for all ages and stages. Benefits include free general Museum admission for the membership year, extended hours, and discounts to ticketed exhibitions, lectures, programs, parking and purchases in the Museum Shop and Café. Premium level members receive invitations to special member-only events and access to local cultural partners through Kids Club. Basic Family-level memberships start at $130. Note: Perot Museum members receive 15% off the purchase of gift memberships. For details, call 214-756-5751 or go to perotmuseum.org/membership.
HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Holiday and other special hours. The Perot Museum will close Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving) and Dec. 25 (Christmas). The Museum will offer extended hours until 6 p.m. Nov. 23-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 6, except for Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) when the Museum will close at 3 p.m. and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) when the Museum will close at 5 p.m.
Member-only mornings. From 9-10 a.m. every Saturday and 10-11 a.m. every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum, plus member-only access to the Moody Family Children’s Museum on Mondays from 10 a.m.-noon. Also, holiday member-only mornings will be offered Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 26-Jan. 6.
Highland Capital Management is the 2018-2019 Premier Partner of the Perot Museum.
TICKETS. Museum general admission is $20 for adults (13-64), $13 for youth (2-12) and $14 for seniors (65+). Museum general admission is free for members. Children under 2 are free. For groups of 10 or more, call for special rates at 214-428-5555 ext. 8. All prices are subject to change.
The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.
NOTE: To obtain the news release, Perot Museum fact sheet, photos, b-roll and film trailers, please go to perotmuseum.org/press.
About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The top cultural attraction in Dallas/Fort Worth and a Michelin Green Guide three-star destination, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a nonprofit educational organization located in Victory Park in the heart of Dallas, Texas. With a mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor and outreach experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners.
The 180,000-square-foot facility opened in December 2012 and is now recognized as the symbolic gateway to the Dallas Arts District. Future scientists, mathematicians and engineers will find inspiration and enlightenment through 11 permanent exhibit halls on five floors of public space; a children’s museum; a state-of-the art traveling exhibition hall; and The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience. Designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, the Museum has been lauded for its artistry and sustainability. To learn more, please visit perotmuseum.org.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
