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miSci's upgraded planetarium & must-see visual extravaganza

miSci's upgraded planetarium & must-see visual extravaganza

Plus, Home of the Week and all the music listings

Phat Chiem
August 20, 2024

Happy Tuesday, Capital District! Today, we’re taking a look at miSci’s newly upgraded planetarium and its must-see immersive show. Plus, check out our Home of the Week 🏡

Let’s dive in, shall we?

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

In partnership with

Today in The 518

A must-see show at miSci’s newly upgraded planetarium 🪐
Free teacher supply store opens & more schools ban phones ✏️
Free movie screenings this week, plus LatinFest is back! 💃
An Adirondack A-frame is our Home of the Week 🏡

📣 TALK OF THE TOWN

The immersive extravaganza Mesmerica comes to miSci 📷️ Courtesy of Mesmerica

miSci’s planetarium gets a major upgrade

We don’t have anything like the incredible Las Vegas Sphere, but miSci’s newly upgraded planetarium offers as close of an immersive visual experience as you’ll get in the Capital District.

As the Times Union reported this week, the museum’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium just got a major makeover with a new 4K digital projector, new surround-sound audio system and better seating. Thanks to $114,000 in grants, the perennially cash-strapped institution set its sights on remaking the planetarium into a major tourist attraction.

It’s a big bet that seems to be paying off. The Schenectady museum was able to bring in “Mesmerica,” a hit visual-musical extravaganza that has sold half a million tickets worldwide. The show pairs visually hypnotic 3D images with the mesmerizing music of Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood.

From the raves on this YouTube video of Mesmerica, you would think the show comes with complimentary 🍄 🍄 😅 Here’s just a sampling of the comments:

“I saw this in Chicago, and by the end of the show I was crying. It was f***ing incredible. Also, I was sober.”

“One of the best hours of my life!!”

“It feels like happiness unlocked. So incredibly moving, relaxing and transformative.”

Tickets for show times in August are selling out fast, but there are more available in September.

To celebrate the planetarium’s makeover, miSci is also hosting Planetarium Week with half-priced admission to the Suits-Bueche (not including Mesmerica), through Friday this week. The museum’s other major attraction right now is Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion.

If you haven’t visited miSci in awhile, these are great reasons to come back.

🌞 WEATHER WATCH

“I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” —Galileo Galilei

You can feel fall creeping in as nighttime temps drop into the 50s this week. Get out and soak in the summer while you can!

🌤️ Tuesday 70°/55° 💧8%

🌦️ Wednesday 67°/53° 💧80%

🌤️ Thursday 75°/53° 💧25%

🌤️ Friday 81°/57° 💧15%

🌤️ Saturday 82°/61° 💧16%

🌥️ Sunday 84°/64° 💧23%

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🗞️ CAPITAL DISTRICT DIGEST

Learn a life-saving skill for free at Community CPR Day in Albany

📚 Alexa Kropf, the UAlbany freshman who was critically injured by an illegally driven dirt bike in April, is returning to school. She’s had to endure several life-saving operations, including brain surgery. [CBS6News]

✏️ A teacher supply store has been fashioned out of the basement of the Westgate Shopping Center by Pastor Charlie Muller of Victory Church. Educators can drop in to gather free school supplies, shoes and sports equipment for their students. [News10]

📵 Here are all of the Capital Region school districts that have announced new restrictions on cellphone use for the upcoming school year. Don’t miss our reader poll: Do phones belong in the classroom? [News10]

🧑‍🌾 Speaking of phone-free zones, the Pitney Meadows Community Farm in Saratoga Springs has started up after-school programming for students K-5 to encourage kids to unplug and learn about farming, gardening and other lessons that Mother Nature has to offer. [Times Union]

🫀 Save the date: Sept. 29 is Community CPR Day in Albany. Albany County, MVP and the American Heart Association are teaming up to teach folks how to administer life-saving CPR with a free, daylong course, held at the MVP Arena. Register here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup now publishes on Thursdays. Keep an eye on your inboxes!

🐸 The Palace Theatre is putting on a free screening of the “The Princess and the Frog” today at 1 pm (activities start at noon) as part of its Summer in the City series. The last screening of the summer is next Wednesday with “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse.”

☎️ On Wednesday evening, bring your picnic blanket and chairs to West Capitol Park on the grounds of the historic NYS Capitol Building for a free screening of “Dial M for Murder.” The show starts at 8 pm.

🎭️ On the fourth Thursday of every month, get down to Nine Pin for a free rotating drag show hosted by Typhoid Mary. Drag Me to Nine Pin starts at 6:30 pm.

💃 LatinFest is back at Albany’s Washington Park this Saturday for its 27th year. Expect big crowds, performers, music, dancing, and a delicious variety of Latino cuisine—yum! 11a-6p, free.

🏡 HOME OF THE WEEK

34 Glen Royal Drive, Averill Park, NY 12018

Grab your flannels, the Adirondack dream is nestled nearby on a peaceful dead-end street in the highly-rated Averill Park school district. Featuring 3 cozy bedrooms (with the option for a 4th or a den), a sprawling country-style kitchen perfect for large gatherings, and plenty of inviting living space, this comfy home has it all. Imagine warming up by the wood or gas fireplace, enjoying central air in the summer, and feeling secure with a generator on hand. Step outside onto the expansive wrap-around deck, where you’ll discover a private backyard oasis complete with a chicken coop, fire pit, and beautiful landscaping. Oh, don’t forget access to Burden Lake right across the street, including boat launch. Go get it!

The deets: 3 bd, 1.5 ba, 2000 sf. Asking: $439,900. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.