RVCC Planetarium Plans July Shows For America's 250th And K-Pop Fans

BRANCHBURG, NJ — The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg will mark the 250th birthday of the United States in July with a new star show about celestial events during the Revolutionary War period and a laser concert featuring British and American music.

The month will also bring a new space-themed show, a K-Pop laser concert, and several returning public programs.

The semiquincentennial programming begins with Revolutionary Skies on Fridays, July 10, 17, and 24, at 8 p.m.

According to RVCC, the show will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with information about the stars, celestial events and scientists of the Revolutionary War period.

On those same nights at 9 p.m., the Planetarium will present Redcoats to Rebels, a laser show with songs from British Invasion bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Queen, followed by classic rock from American bands including Journey, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister.

New July programs also include Cosmic Questions on Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 2:30 p.m.

The program explores questions about space, including aliens, black holes, and the multiverse, and is recommended for audiences ages 6 through adult.

"Join us for a wild ride through the cosmos as we uncover the peculiar, the obvious, and the far-out," according to RVCC.

A new K-Pop Laser Concert is scheduled for Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 3:30 p.m., Fridays, July 17 and 24, at 7 p.m., and Friday, July 31, at 9 p.m.

According to the schedule, the concert will include music from “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” as well as BTS, Stray Kids and other artists.

Local audiences also can celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday with Skies Over Hogwarts on Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The show is recommended for ages 8 through adult and will guide visitors through a Harry Potter-themed tour of the night sky while explaining how astronomy inspired some character names.

Other public shows in July include Magic Tree House: Space Mission on Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23 and 30, at 2:30 p.m.; Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote on those same Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.; and Sunset Meditation on Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $11 for one show and $20 for two back-to-back shows on the same day.

Reservations are recommended, but ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show, and late admission is not permitted.

Laser shows include loud music, flashing lights and rapidly moving graphics in a dark environment, which the college says may not be recommended for people who are sensitive to those conditions or have a medical condition that could be worsened by them.

The Planetarium is at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.