MOR houses lectures, creeptastic theater & two new exhibits
Museum of the Rockies is back in the saddle with a number of upcoming events, those educational and of the spooky variety.
First up is a lecture featuring local artist John Haworth on Tuesday, October 5th. Present by Bozeman Art Museum, “Contemporary Native American Art” begins at 7pm and is open to the public. The talk accompanies the Art Museum’s current exhibit, ‘ReCouping Sovereignty: Native Artists Amend the Narrative,’ now showing at 2612 W Main, Ste. B.
Following Wednesday, Oct. 6th, enjoy the next installment in MOR’s Presenting Prehistory: A Paleontology Lecture Series. “Chickens on Steroids & the Evolution of Avian Dinosaurs” is set for 5:30pm. Join guest speaker Dr. Dana Rashid, Research Professor of Cell Biology at MSU to learn about how their investigation of avian dinosaur tails has revealed a new capacity of the immune system and the chicken’s potential as a model for human back disease. Included with membership or $7.50 for non-members.
Co-sponsored by MOR, the 2021 Science Inquiry Lecture Series proceeds virtually with another interesting discussion on Wednesday, Oct. 13th. “When Viruses Jump – Disease Transmission from Animals to Humans” will begin at 7pm via Zoom. How and why do some pathogens in wild animal species make the jump to domestic animal and human species? Dr. Raina Plowright, MSU Associate Professor of microbiology and immunology, will describe the mechanisms of such disease “spillover” and strategies to mitigate or prevent such occurrences. The lecture is open to the public. Visit the Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences website for link access.
Kick off the eeriest time of year with International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Oct. 16th. Attendees will be looking at the Moon through telescopes on the museum’s grounds. The sky gazing begins at 7pm and is included with membership. Advance registration required through the Museum website.
Haunted Mountain Theater is back in 2021 with chilling theater appropriate for the season. Performances will be held Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm and 8:30pm, Oct. 22nd–30th. A special matinee is scheduled for All Hallow’s Eve, Sunday, Oct. 31st at 3pm.
The Rockies are filled with ghastly historic events, unsettling tales, and supernatural creatures that are beyond our mortal comprehension. Come face to face with these spine-tingling stories that haunt this region.
Haunted Mountain Theater brings the Northern Rocky Mountains’ spookier history and folklore to life through an approximately 50-minute production that blends live-theater with Taylor Planetarium’s state-of-the-art capabilities. This year’s production includes disasters, untimely deaths, ghastly creatures, and more based on authentic research. They all prove one thing, sometimes life is scarier than fiction.
NEW this year: Following the planetarium show, explore the historic Tinsley House by lantern light, if you dare! Enjoy original spooky sculptures by MSU arts & architecture students, have your fortune read, and enjoy a seasonal treat.
Due to some mature content and the dark conditions of the planetarium, this production is recommended for ages 10 and up. Sponsored by Stockman Bank and Philip and Marlene Saccoccia, tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for kids ages 10 to 17.
Finally, an annual tradition will usher in a weekend of costumes and trick-or-treating on Saturday, Oct. 30th. The Family Grossology Halloween Party will take place from 2–5pm. Come in costume to see disgusting science, make some icky crafts, and check out what your scabs look like on the big screen. Spooky stories and goody bags make this the perfect family costume party for all mad scientists! Included with membership or admission.
Also at MOR, two new exhibits open Oct. 9th. First up is Women: A Century of Change. Drawing from the acclaimed National Geographic photo archives, it showcases a global chronicle of the lives of women. Created to recognize the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote, the exhibition illuminates where women have been, where they are now and where they are going, and celebrates trailblazers who have redefined what it means to be a woman. More than 70 images depict women from over 30 countries, offering a glimpse into the lives of women worldwide throughout the past century.
The second changing exhibit is Environmental Impact II. Featuring more than 50 artworks, including paintings, photography, sculptures, and film, it focuses on generating public attention surrounding environmental issues and unintended consequences of human interaction with nature. Topics covered in this exhibit include global climate change, the Gulf oil spill, unabated logging and mining, loss of bee populations, and more. Discover the fragility and hopeful resiliency of our world through the eyes of more than 20 leading contemporary artists.
MOR is open from 9am–5pm daily. Wearing a face mask inside of the museum is strongly encouraged. For more information about featured exhibits, Taylor Planetarium showings, and membership details, visit www.museumoftherockies.org. •
