TAMIU LBV Planetarium Adds New Show to Lineup

Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium recently added its newest show, Backyard Wilderness, to its current programming.

A full list of showtimes for May is available at go.tamiu.edu/nowplaying.

Backyard Wilderness captures the unexpected wonders of nature. It shares a seasonal year around a suburban home, displaying unique wildlife images and behavior – all captured by cameras mounted inside dens and nests and moving along the forest floor and pond bottom, revealing its many inhabitants. 

This immersive, hemispheric, digital film follows the daily dramas of common animals -- like the turtle, heron, frog, raccoon, and dragonfly -- juxtaposed with the activities of nearby humans apparently more concerned with their computer screens and mobile devices. 

Planetarium dome show ticket prices are $6 for general admission; $5 for teachers, seniors (65+), active military and veterans, and TAMIU students, faculty and staff; and $4 for children, ages 3 – 12. Matinee shows are also offered at a discounted price. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Planetarium’s box office.

Planetarium director Peter Davis said its outreach provides a truly unique and memorable experience for audiences of all ages.

“The Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium is a community outreach arm of TAMIU and serves South Texans of all ages. It is home to a state-of-the-art system that projects a video image onto an encompassing dome, immersing the audience in a near-virtual reality, surround experience that’s always memorable,” Davis explained.

He noted that Backyard Wilderness has garnered several awards, including ‘Best Children’s Film’ at the International Wildlife Film Festival and ‘Best Creativity Film’ at the Beijing International Film Festival. It also earned Gold Awards for Best Short Documentary, Best Family/Children’s Film, Best Directing, and Best Cinematography at the 52nd Annual Worldfest. 

For more information about the film or to watch a trailer, visit the Backyard Wilderness website at https://backyardwildernessfilm.com/ or the Planetarium’s webpage at https://www.tamiu.edu/planetarium/planetariumshows.shtml.  

For more information, call Davis at 956.326.3128, or email peter.davis@tamiu.edu.