'Tis the Season is a spectacular show about the season that holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. It is also the coldest and darkest of seasons, a season which holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. Tracing the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season, we portray everything from the burning Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the Menorah and luminarias. 'Tis the Season also recounts the historical religious and cultural customs practiced during the time of winter solstice including Christian, Jewish, Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi. The show also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions: gift-giving, kissing under the mistletoe, songs about lords a-leaping and ladies dancing, the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles, and Santa Claus. Naturally, there is some astronomy in 'Tis the Season. We catch a few Northern winter constellations. We illustrate why we even have seasons by demonstrating the Sun's path across the sky throughout the year, and the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun. And, of course, we explore the possible astronomical explanations for a "Star over Bethlehem" including comets, meteors, novae, supernovae, and planetary conjunctions. This show, produced by Lochness Productions, is narrated by Noah Adams, host of National Public Radio's "All Things Considered".
This show traces the development of many of the world's most endearing holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season. We are sure that 'Tis the Season will help you to warm up to the spirit of the holiday season.
The DuPont Planetarium will
show 'Tis the Season throughout
December. Shows will be on December 7, 8, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, and 29 at 7 and
8 pm. There is also an Early Bird Saturday on December 1, shows
at 4:00 and 5:00.
Shows
are
approximately
50
minutes
in length. For safety reasons and the consideration of other paying
guests, children under 4 years of age are not permitted in the
planetarium. Optional reservations for seats
should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Fees are as follows:
$4.50 -- Adults
$3.50 -- Senior Citizens
$2.50 -- 4K-12 students
$1.00 -- USCA Students with proper ID
$1.00 -- USCA Faculty and Staff with proper ID
$25.00 - Annual Membership
Card
$125.00 - Private
Showing
Payment is due prior to or at the time of your showing. Payment
must be cash or check. For more information, please call (803)
648-6851, ext. 3313 or email rpsec@usca.edu.
You may make a reservation on-line. E-mail
your name, total number of guests, and phone number to rpsec@usca.edu.
For more information or to make reservations call 641-3769 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or after hours 641-3654 and leave a message.
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Copyright © 2007 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.
URL: http://rpsec.usca.edu/Planetarium/tis.html (March, 2007)
Ruth Patrick Science Education
Center
Center of Excellence in Educational
Technology
University of South Carolina
Aiken
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801
803-641-3313