April 12, 2012
The Franklin Institute’s current marquee exhibition, Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs, is cool for many reasons: it features two dozen gigantic skeletons from around the world, the largest dinosaur bone ever discovered, interactive robotics and was curated by the Philadelphia-bred “Dino Don” Lessem, the world’s leading popularizer of dinosaurs and advisor to the major motion picture Jurassic Park. But you only have a few days left to see it; the exhibit closes Sunday, April 15. Bonus: the Franklin Institute is hosting spring break programming now through April 15. Get tickets online. [Franklin Institute]
March 2, 2012
'Dino Don' Lessem will be at the Franklin Institute this Sunday to host a series of fun dino activities as part of the Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs exhibit he helped curate. (Photo by Darryl Moran courtesy Franklin Institute)
The Franklin Institute’s current marquee exhibition, Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs, is cool for many reasons: it features two dozen gigantic skeletons from around the world, the largest dinosaur bone ever discovered, interactive robotics and was curated by the Philadelphia-bred “Dino Don” Lessem, the world’s leading popularizer of dinosaurs and advisor to the major motion picture Jurassic Park.
“Dino Don” will actually be at the Franklin Institute this Sunday, March 4 for a special, don’t-miss Family Fun Sunday. Meet the dinosaur connoisseur (and ask him how it was to work with Steven Spielberg).
He’s also advised on many Disney films and theme parks and is author of more than 50 dinosaur books. So obviously no one knows dinosaurs quite like “Dino Don.” He’ll be hosting the following special dinosaur events this Sunday:
• Family Quizzo, 2 p.m.: How much do you really know about these captivating creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago? Prizes for the winning team!
• Dinosaur “Roar-Off,” 3 p.m.: Do your best dinosaur impersonation. Prizes for all participants!
• Hands-On Fossil Cart, noon-4 p.m.: Take on the role of a “dinosaur detective” and closely examine skulls and fossils to make some dinosaur discoveries of your own.
• Fascinating Fossils, 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Learn about the ways fossils form and make a fossil rubbing to take home.
“Dino Don” Lessem at the Franklin Institute
When: Sunday, March 4, noon-4 p.m.
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: Free with admission
More info: www2.fi.edu
December 13, 2011
Philadelphia Soulmate dancers, of the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football team, performed a dance on the front steps of The Franklin Institute this weekend as part of the official opening celebration of Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs.
Check out the video above as the dancers “do the dinosaur” — a little inspiration to head over to the cutting-edge (get it?) exhibition yourself.
Get tickets online.
Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute
When: December 10-April 15
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: Daytime tickets: $25 for Adults, $18.50 for children (ages 3-11). Evening tickets (Friday/Saturday nights): $10 for Adults, $6 for children.
More info: www.fi.edu
December 9, 2011
Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs provides an up-close look at gigantic dinosaur skeletons and fossils from around the globe — many rarely seen in this country. (Photo by Darryl Moran courtesy Franklin Institute)
Starting tomorrow, Saturday, December 10, the Franklin Institute will be taken over by some of the largest and strangest dinosaur specimens ever unearthed.
The exhibition, titled Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs, features two dozen gigantic skeletons from around the world, full-sized robotics and an opportunity for guests to dig for and handle genuine fossils.
The spectacular collection belongs to the world’s leading dinosaur collector and popularizer, Don Lessem. Philadelphia’s own “Dino” Don has excavated and re-created dinosaurs from Argentina to Mongolia.
He was advisor to the movie Jurassic Park, so clearly no one knows dinosaurs like Don does.
On display will be exotic dinosaurs from the farthest reaches of Patagonia and the Gobi Desert, skeletons as long as 70 feet, the largest dinosaur bone ever discovered, a five-foot tall back bone of the 100-ton Argentinosaurus as well as a two-foot long claw from a mysterious carnivore from Mongolia.
Get tickets online.
Check out a few more sneak peek photos of the exhibition, below.
Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute
When: December 10-April 15
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: Daytime tickets: $25 for Adults, $18.50 for children (ages 3-11). Evening tickets (Friday/Saturday nights): $10 for Adults, $6 for children.
More info: www.fi.edu
November 16, 2011
The Giganotosaurus from Patagonia, just one of dozens of dinosaur artifacts on view, was 10% bigger than T' Rex.
(Photo courtesy Franklin Institute)
Starting December 10, the Franklin Institute will be taken over by some of the largest and strangest dinosaur specimens ever unearthed.
The exhibition, titled Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs, features two dozen gigantic skeletons from around the world, full-sized robotics and an opportunity for guests to dig for and handle genuine fossils.
The collection, owned by Philadelphia’s own “Dino” Don Lessem, includes exotic dinosaurs from the farthest reaches of Patagonia and the Gobi Desert. On display will be skeletons as long as 70 feet, including the largest carnivorous dinosaur to ever live: the Giganotosaurus (seriously).
The exhibition also includes the largest dinosaur bone ever discovered, a five-foot tall back bone of the 100-ton Argentinosaurus as well as a two-foot long claw from a mysterious carnivore from Mongolia.
Get advance tickets online.
Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute
When: December 10-April 15
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: Daytime tickets: $25 for Adults, $18.50 for children (ages 3-11). Evening tickets (Friday/Saturday nights): $10 for Adults, $6 for children.
More info: www.fi.edu
