LBV Planetarium Celebrates Fourth Anniversary with ‘Rock-it Fest’ Saturday

Texas A&M International University’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium will celebrate its fourth anniversary while observing the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009 with “Rock-It Fest 2009,” Saturday, April 18, from 1 – 10 p.m. on the TAMIU Green, in front of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

Rock-It Fest 2009 is free of charge and open to the public.

From 1-6 p.m., families can participate in fun games including face painting, moon bounce, interactive games, and prizes. Children ages 4-5 and 6-7 will have a chance to participate in a coloring contest with the winner receiving a star registered in her or his name.

The Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will premiere the movie “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure,” giving children the opportunity to explore the night sky with their favorite friends from “Sesame Street,” all inside the Planetarium’s 45-foot dome. The movie will be shown five times consecutively starting at 2 p.m. Children’s tickets will be $4 and adult tickets $5 . They can be obtained at the Planetarium’s box office.

From 7-10 p.m., live bands including Fallen on September and Automatic Weekend will rock the stage. Fun, food and games will continue, and another star registry will be awarded to an individual who can do the best Michael Jackson’s “moonwalk.” Audiences will also have the opportunity to explore the Planetarium through free tours that will include a 10-minute montage of different planetarium shows.

The Planetarium will also showcase its latest entertainment show, “enTRANCEd,” which combines digital animation and live-performed visual effects. This show will be similar to past shows that featured memorable bands such as U2 and Pink Floyd. Tickets for “enTRANCEd" will be $5.

“Our goal is to showcase the Planetarium’s facilities. We are fortunate to have this type of Planetarium,” said Gerardo Pérez, Planetarium director, “When we first opened, this was only one of 19 planetariums of its kind in the world. I often hear people complain about not having much to do here in Laredo, but here at the Planetarium, we offer a variety of shows for audiences of all ages.”

Rock-It Fest 2009 is one of several events hosted by the Planetarium to commemorate the IYA 2009. IYA is a global celebration of astronomy, which honors the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s discovery of the telescope.

The Planetarium events will join global celebrations in 135 other countries.

For more information, please call 326.2444 or visit tamiu.edu/planetarium

(This press release and marketing initiatives for this observation are the effort of TAMIU students enrolled in Public Relations Campaigns, under the direction of TAMIU Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Lynda S. Brown.)

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu