Summer Saturday Evenings
2012

Weekly Event Calendar

Saturday, June 2nd

7th Annual Skin Cancer Institute
Living in Harmony with the Sun

The Desert Museum, Skin Cancer Institute and University of Arizona Mount Lemon Sky Center have teamed up to create this event which focuses attention on the Sun - its magnificence in the sky as well as its potential harm.

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building

Dermatologists will be on-hand providing skin cancer screenings on a first come, first served basis - free with museum admission.

Learn about sun safety through interactive educational displays and activities for children. Try out the skin analyzer machine. Enter a free raffle to win a sun safe prize!

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Desert Garden

Special activities for kids — make a UV bracelet, get a sun safe tattoo and learn about sun safety. Kids: Don't forget to pick up your sun fun facts game card at the Museum entrance!

4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Amphitheater

Join staff and volunteers from the Mount Lemmon Sky Center to view the sun through a specialized telescope! After sunset, also view Mars and Venus.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Entrance Plaza

Take your picture with RAY the Sun Safe Mascot.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building - Lobby

Join museum docents and learn about how desert animals have adapted and thrive in the desert environment.

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Entrance Patio - Steward Observatory Graduate Student Council (Astronomy Dept., University of Arizona)

Want to know how to look directly at the Sun safely? Come find out at our booth, and learn about exciting upcoming astronomy events! We will have details about the transit of Venus occurring on June 5th, which is the last opportunity to see Venus transit the Sun until 2117, and have solar scopes available for you to check out the churning, active surface of the closest star to us, our Sun.

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Live and (sort of) on the Loose

Live animal presentations showcasing many misunderstood desert animals including rattlesnakes, Mexican beaded lizards, and Gila monsters.

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Saturday, June 9th

Magical Music of the Desert Night

The Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used most recently in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. The instrument was originally played without accompaniment for courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Experience the unique sound of this ancient instrument as local Tucson musicians share talents!

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Running Wild

The history of the Desert Museum, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration, is featured in this live animal presentation. Learn about porcupines, skunks, and pelicans during this charming, educational program.

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Desert Garden - Native American Flute Circle

Tucson is fortunate to have three Native American Flute Circle organizations within its community. Join members of all three groups as they perform in this perfect desert environment. "We play the Native American Flute because it is relaxing. It takes us to a place where our spirit and emotion can wander and at the same time be audible to those around us."

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Saturday, June 16th

Nocturnal Desert Skies

Join us to learn about the desert's spectacular night skies and the Sonoran desert's amazing bats!

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building - Family Astronomy Fun

Join us to explore the stars, asteroids, planets, and gravity with hands-on activities, viewing telescopes, and astronomy experts available to answer all your questions.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Overlook - Southern Arizona Dark Skies Telescopes and Information

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - All About Bats

Are you batty for bats? Join the Desert Museum's conservation biologist, Karen Krebbs, as she shares her knowledge and insights about these incredible flying mammals. Stay for Q & A time and maybe meet a bat up close and personal!

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Riparian Corridor - Bat Echolocation

Learn about Binary Acoustic Technology as Mark Jensen, a specialist in bat acoustics, shares his expertise. With his assistance, using a bat detector and computer to record calls of wild bats, you'll "see" bat echolocation.

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Saturday, June 23rd

Backyard Camping and Summer Reading Night

The Desert Museum, Pima County Library and Recreation Equipment Incorporated (REI) partner to create a very special night in the desert.

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater & Baldwin Education Building - Family Reading Night

Listen to desert stories, meet authors and learn about their work. Create your own illustrations guided by a children's book illustrator and read to a therapy dog. Featured books will be available for sale in the Museum's gift shop. History and books go hand-in-hand so you'll also have an opportunity to learn about the Desert Museum's early history and watch an entertaining video created by museum volunteers and staff.

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Desert Garden & Taylor Plaza - Great American Backyard Campout

Learn about the latest in camping with REI Tucson. Fully launch yourself into a lifetime filled with healthy, outdoor fun. All you need is a taste for adventure and a desire to experience the great outdoors through camping. Participation in this event supports National Wildlife Federation programs to get kids outdoors as part of the Be Out There™ movement, dedicated to encouraging children to play outside for a healthier lifestyle.

• Test your agility and speed in tent races!
• Stick around and see how we can "light up your life"!
• Checkout how big your footprint really is with games designed by Leave No Trace!
• Giveaways, prizes, and plenty of smiles and laughter guaranteed for all!

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Saturday, June 30th

Desert Storms and Music

Lightning and thunder create their own symphonies and light shows. Join us to learn about taking spectacular photos of lightening and listen to music created by ancient flute playing.

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater Lobby - Electricity Demonstrations

Learn about the science of electricity and how it relates to lightning with our friends from Flandrau Science Center at the University of Arizona. It's a hair-raising experience!

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Lightning and other Wonders of the Night Sky

Dr. Ralph Wetmore has chased and photographed lightning throughout southern Arizona. Hear first-hand about the challenges, dangers and unpredictability of lightning photography, delve into the science of lightning, and enjoy the beauty and power of Ralph's images of lightning coursing across the sky.

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building (101A&B) - Night Photography

Summer Saturday Evenings Photo Class — Instructors: ASDM Art Institute Photography Instructor Jay Pierstorff and ASDM Photographer Rhonda Spencer.

(Seating is limited to the first 100 people, so come early!)

Free with Museum Admission. This popular class returns for another season. Learn night photography tips and some brand new ideas for taking great photos after the sun goes down — no matter what kind of camera you own! If you have any questions contact Jay Pierstorff at jay.pierstorff@yahoo.com

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Desert Garden - Native American Flute Circle

Tucson is fortunate to have three Native American Flute Circle organizations within its community. Join members of all three groups as they perform in this perfect desert environment. "We play the Native American Flute because it is relaxing. It takes us to a place where our spirit and emotion can wander and at the same time be audible to those around us."

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Saturday, July 7th

Musical Summer Night

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Desert Garden - Native American Flute Circle

Tucson is fortunate to have three Native American Flute Circle organizations within its community. Join members of all three groups as they perform in this perfect desert environment. "We play the Native American Flute because it is relaxing. It takes us to a place where our spirit and emotion can wander and at the same time be audible to those around us."

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Live and (sort of) on the Loose

Live animal presentations showcasing many misunderstood desert animals including rattlesnakes, Mexican beaded lizards, and Gila monsters.

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Saturday, July 14th

Insect Insanity

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Monsoon Insects

Learn new facts and dispel myths about Sonoran Desert insects. Join the "Bugman", University of Arizona Entomologist Dr. Carl Olson as he delivers two presentations about the 6, 8, and more-legged creatures of the desert.

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building (102 A&B & 103) - Arthropod Attraction

There are over a million species of arthropods, making up more than 80% of all described animal species. They are only one of two animal groups that are very successful in dry environments. Get a bugs-eye-view of the many arthropods that live in the Sonoran desert as experts are on hand to answer all your questions.

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Saturday, July 21st

Astronomy & Physics Night

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building - Family Astronomy Fun

Explore the stars, asteroids, planets and gravity. Join us for an evening of hands-on astronomy activities and view the desert skies through a variety of telescopes. Astronomy experts will be available to answer questions.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Overlook - Southern Arizona Dark Skies Telescopes and Information

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Physics Factory

The Physics Factory is a team of scientists and educators with a common goal: to share their enthusiasm for physics with students, teachers and the community. Through a combination of hands-on learning and eye-popping stage shows, The Physics Factory demonstrates that physics is an exciting process of discovery and invention, and a rewarding career.

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Saturday, July 28th

Musical Summer Night

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Desert Garden - Native American Flute Circle

Tucson is fortunate to have three Native American Flute Circle organizations within its community. Join members of all three groups as they perform in this perfect desert environment. "We play the Native American Flute because it is relaxing. It takes us to a place where our spirit and emotion can wander and at the same time be audible to those around us."

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Running Wild

The history of the Desert Museum, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration, is featured in this live animal presentation. Learn about porcupines, skunks, and pelicans during this charming, educational program.

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Saturday, August 4th

Nocturnal Desert Skies

Join us to learn about the desert's spectacular night skies and the Sonoran desert's amazing bats!

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - All About Bats

Are you batty for bats? Join the Desert Museum's conservation biologist, Karen Krebbs, as she shares her knowledge and insights about these incredible flying mammals. Stay for Q & A time and maybe meet a bat up close and personal!

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Riparian Corridor - Bat Echolocation

Learn about Binary Acoustic Technology as Mark Jensen, a specialist in bat acoustics, shares his expertise. With his assistance, using a bat detector and computer to record calls of wild bats, you'll "see" bat echolocation.

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building (101 A&B) - Hot Techniques for Cool Photos

Summer Saturday Evenings Photo Class — Instructors: ASDM Art Institute Photography Instructor Jay Pierstorff and ASDM Photographer Rhonda Spencer.

(Seating is limited to the first 100 people, so come early!)

Free with Museum Admission. New for 2012! Learn about the latest trends, tools and techniques in digital photography. Great fun and inspiration for the photo enthusiast, new camera owner or old pro! If you have any questions contact Jay Pierstorff at jay.pierstorff@yahoo.com

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Desert Garden - Native American Flute Circle

Tucson is fortunate to have three Native American Flute Circle organizations within its community. Join members of all three groups as they perform in this perfect desert environment. "We play the Native American Flute because it is relaxing. It takes us to a place where our spirit and emotion can wander and at the same time be audible to those around us."

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Saturday, August 11th

An Explosion of Desert Tastes

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Volcanos and Geology

Join Dr. Michael Conway, from the Arizona Geological Survey, on a virtual tour of Arizona's volcanoes, as well as active volcanoes worldwide. See and touch volcanic rocks, learn about different types of lava, then build and explode mini-volcanos with a "blasting" hands-on activity (one that kids will really enjoy!)

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Desert Garden - Volcano Making

Construct and erupt your own volcano!

7:30 - 8:15 p.m. and 8:45 - 9:30 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building - Tasting your Community

A community is more than just its people. What better way to ponder local ecology than to eat of its riches? Join Desert Museum Education Specialist, Jesús García, to explore the ethno-ecology of the Sonoran Desert region. Sample native and traditional foods and learn techniques to gather and process them. Experiment with natural fibers, pigments and medicinal plants.

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Saturday, August 18th

Astronomy & Music

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building - Family Astronomy Fun

Explore the stars, asteroids, planets and gravity. Join us for an evening of hands-on astronomy activities and view the desert skies through a variety of telescopes. Astronomy experts will be available to answer questions.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Overlook - Southern Arizona Dark Skies Telescopes and Information

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Live and (sort of) on the Loose

Live animal presentations showcasing many misunderstood desert animals including rattlesnakes, Mexican beaded lizards, and Gila monsters.

7:00A - 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Desert Garden - Native American Flute Circle

Tucson is fortunate to have three Native American Flute Circle organizations within its community. Join members of all three groups as they perform in this perfect desert environment. "We play the Native American Flute because it is relaxing. It takes us to a place where our spirit and emotion can wander and at the same time be audible to those around us."

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Saturday, August 25th

International Year of the Bat & Teacher Appreciation Night

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building (101 A&B) - Barmy for Bats

Simply because they are active only at night and difficult to observe, bats rank among the planet's most misunderstood and intensely persecuted mammals. Join the Desert Museum's conservation biologist, Karen Krebbs, as she shares her knowledge and insights about these incredible flying mammals. Ask all your bat-related questions and gain a better understanding of these fascinating mammals. In-person bat-sightings possible!

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Warden Oasis Theater - Running Wild

The history of the Desert Museum, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration, is featured in this live animal presentation. Learn about porcupines, skunks, and pelicans during this charming, educational program.

5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Baldwin Education Building (102 A&B & 103) - Teacher Appreciation Night