Sounds of the Ocean at TASM
It’s a long drive from our house in South Tulsa to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium. The drive last Friday night seemed even longer because the three grandchildren (our two grandchildren and our “bonus” grandson) in the back seat were wired from two days of holidays, which included too much sugar and not enough sleep. They were loud, silly, and had that special type of energy that a seasoned parent knows means they are close to the edge of exhaustion. Fortunately, the special showing of Sounds of the Ocean worked its magic to calm the savage beasts within.
Within the first five minutes of the film, my five-year-old granddaughter was fast asleep and remained so the entire time. Several times, I looked over at my husband and caught him either dozing or maybe just lulled into a meditative state. My two eight-year-old grandsons went from being a little wild to quietly resting in the comfortable seats. There were times it tested the limits of how long eight-year-old boys could be expected to stay still and quiet, but I was proud of them for their good behavior.
Age recommendation
On the website, the recommended minimum age is four years. Only a parent knows their child and what their limits and interests are, but in conversation with my three grandkids, we recommend older than four. I would say six years old, but the boys said they think eight years old and older. The website says it is a meditative ocean odyssey, and that seems to be an accurate description. Beyond the age recommendation, personality and preferences may be more important determining factors.
An immersive experience with a message
The Sounds of the Ocean is billed as an immersive experience, and it lives up to the description. As the lights dim, the large overhead screen fills with images of the ocean and sea life, while music plays in the background. There are few words, only at the beginning and end of the approximately 50-minute show. I was happy to be sitting next to my eight-year-old grandson, who knew what all the sea creatures were and would whisper them to me. I was amazed at his knowledge and rather embarrassed by my lack of knowledge, considering I claim to be an ocean lover. There were various types of whales, squid, dolphins, and jellyfish, and my grandson knew specific names and details about each.
One of the purposes of the film is to promote a catalyst for change to safeguard our ocean ecosystems. Towards the end, there are scenes showing plastic and microplastics invading our oceans, damaging the creatures that live there and their environment. The narrator asks people to make small or large changes through peaceful activism. Some actions include limiting single-use plastics, recycling, and using public transportation when possible.
Showtimes and tickets
The special showing of Sounds of the Oceans will be at the Planetarium for four more Friday nights, two more in December and two in January. There are two shows on each Friday, one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. The Planetarium is part of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and is located at 3624 N. 74th E. Ave. in Tulsa.
Tickets range from $15 for children to $35 for VIP tickets. 10% of ticket sales go to the Oklahoma Aquarium for its conservation efforts in the Arkansas River.
The use of cameras is not allowed in the Planetarium, so I wasn’t able to take pictures or videos. If you’d like to see a trailer for Sounds of the Ocean, go to the website to watch.
