The Whit Online

Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Jon Guito

The Fredric and Jean Edelman Planetarium will begin running laser shows again on Oct. 20. According to Planetarium Director Keith Johnson, the newest show, "Laser Zeppelin," will be the first performed during the fall semester and continue to play through Dec. 1.

With the exception of a temporary closing last year for water-damage and laser repairs, the planetarium has been in full operation since its opening in the fall of 2004. Popular songs from rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Metallica, Radiohead, and the Beatles have been used in the past for laser show performances, all producing wonderful turnouts according to Johnson.

Although the spring schedule has not yet been determined, Johnson has plans for a Schism show, and possibly a Motown performance if enough interest is shown. Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" has been the most popular performance thus far.
"I was only doing one show a week, but had to add a second, and sold both of them out for six weeks running," Johnson explained, impressed by the overwhelming demand for the show.

Johnson believes that Pink Floyd is the "best group available" for laser performances, and, after requests, is considering bringing "Dark Side of the Moon" back for the spring.

Johnson has also scheduled a special holiday series to play after Laser Zeppelin, which will play for the remainder of the fall semester. A star show, "'Tis the Season," will begin playing along with laser show "Holiday Magic" on Dec. 8 as a part of this series.

"These two will, I expect, become our standard December traditions in the future," said Johnson.

The shows are produced and provided by a company called Laser Fantasy, a company Johnson believes to be "the best show producers currently in the business." The images and soundtracks are prerecorded on CD tracks. Though some systems allow for some manual laser control, Johnson explains that the complex imagery makes manual control very difficult. However, as the director, Johnson does use a time code on the seventh CD track to time special effects to the playing music.

With movies tickets in most theaters priced at almost $10 apiece today, Johnson encourages Rowan students to come out and take advantage of the planetarium's discounted rates.

"At three dollars … I think we can safely claim we're the cheapest show in town," said Johnson. So, come out and enjoy the shows! Johnson adds that particular bands or styles of interest may be suggested to Laser Fantasy for future production.

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