Out and About: Quick Review of “Laser 2016: In Memoriam” from the Pacific Science Center's Laser Dome

I recently received a pleasant surprise, an invitation to a selection of shows at the Pacific Science Center Laser Dome.  The special occasion was for the Pacific Science Center’s upgraded laser system to a Laser Fantasy Rainbow FX laser system with 23-watts of power compared to the 6-watt system they had before.

Realizing it has been some time since I had seen a show at the Laser Dome, it was a struggle to even remember which show I last attended.  Knowing what to expect from my past viewings, my response to this show was still a surprise.

Of the shows I was offered to see, I went to “Laser 2016: In Memoriam,” a show celebrating those singers and musicians we lost in 2016.  Here is the list of songs they included:

1. Prince - Let’s Go Crazy
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016)

2. Gene Wilder – Pure Imagination
Jerome “Gene Wilder” Silberman (June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016)

3. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I’m Still Here
Sharon Lafaye Jones (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016)

4. The Eagles - Take it Easy
Glenn Lewis Frey (November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016)

5. Emerson, Lake, & Palmer - Lucky Man
Keith Noel Emerson (2 November 1944 – 11 March 2016)
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake (10 November 1947 – 7 December 2016)

6. Leon Russell - A Song For You
Leon Russell (April 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016)

7. A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?
Phife Dawg (November 20, 1970 – March 22, 2016)

8. Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah
Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016)

9. Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
Pete Burns (5 August 1959 – 23 October 2016)

10. George Michael - Freedom ‘90
George Michael (25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016)

11. David Bowie - Space Oddity
David Bowie (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016)

Special Encore

12. Queen with David Bowie – Under Pressure

To say it was beautiful is an understatement.  Frankly, I have to say that was the first time I was moved to tears by a laser light show.  I tried holding it back, but by the end there really was no use.  It was a celebration of too many great artists to not.  Unfortunately, this show was a limited to just two shows, January 25, 2017 and February 3, 2017.

The Laser Dome has been running shows since 1976 and has had some classics through the years.  On February 11th they introduced their newest regular show, Laser Beyoncé, to go with their ongoing shows that run every weekend Thursday-Sunday: Lady Gaga, EDM, Daft Punk, Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd: The Wall, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Laser 90's, Laser Mixtape, and Michael Jackson.

In addition to the regular shows, they have added a few live shows.  Currently confirmed are Live DJ's in collaboration with radio station C89.5 on April 19 and August 23.  They will also be hosting ongoing concert shows in collaboration with Vera Project, but dates are not yet specified.

The Laser Dome is one of those places in Seattle you should not overlook.  Take an few hours to go explore and see a show, it’s worth it. You can watch for upcoming shows or sign up for show alerts at the Pacific Science Center website.

Below is a simple sample of the "Laser 2016: In Memoriam,” (The music is blocked for copyright reasons on the second half.)