"Spirits from the Sky: Thunder on the Land," a new star show produced in collaboration with the Pawnee Nation will debut at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Fiske Planetarium on Saturday, April 27, at 2 p.m.
The show will be preceded by a traditional Pawnee blessing ceremony and songs, and will be followed by a reception. Most of the show is pre-recorded, but there also is a live portion. It will be repeated Tuesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Encompassing two years of research, the show bridges science, history and anthropology to tell the story of the Skidi Band of Pawnee and their enduring relationship with the sky. With an introduction written and narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner N. Scott Momeday, the presentation draws on both archival sources and the personal recollections of the Pawnee elders.
The Skidi Band patterned their lives on the observations they made of the Earth and the night sky, and their culture was built upon the legends and lore that grew out of these observations, according to Sanlyn Buxner, education specialist for Fiske Planetarium. The sky show, partially funded by the National Science Foundation, tries to capture and preserve this cultural sky tradition, she said.
The show interweaves the changing position of stars and planets with visual representations of artifacts from Pawnee star and sky lore rituals. In a live portion of the show, the Greek constellations are contrasted with Pawnee sacred stars and constellations.
Pawnee music is blended with the show as the audience learns about the legends of the tribe, including the Pawnee creation legend.
Fiske Planetarium is located at Regent Drive and Kittredge Loop Drive on the CU-Boulder campus. For more information about the show call (303) 492-5002 or visit the planetarium's Web site at .