Space Time!! Darker Matter

Now is the best time to immerse in space.

The sublime cinematic experience of deep space has been completely remade. The immersive show features the latest breathtaking images from humanity’s best telescopes, a Bright Stars version for sensitive people (especially under 8 y/o) each morning, and this version for those wanting a deeper immersion in space. There are lots of slots (listed in the next link) and your ticket welcomes you to any slot, no matter which you choose. 

Step into the beauty and mysteries of the universe from September 27th to October 13th (Spring school holidays). Experience the mind-bending new photos from Euclid, James Webb and other telescopes on an immersive sound and projection system inside a deep space bunker. Go on a journey with rocket launches, black holes, nebulae, and galaxies that bend time and space, bringing you closer to meeting other life forms, and towards the origin of the universe. As well as a visual spectacle, this is an insightful exploration of our lucky existence.

Comfortable and tiered seating, a delicious candy bar with cocktails, room to run around and super-cool space mementoes make this an unmissable school holiday experience. There are 160+ sessions to choose from, space concerts every Friday night ('Friday 7pm' sessions), astrophysics talks every Saturday ('Saturday 1pm' sessions) and a Drum & Space party for those wanting to dance into the cosmos. People at all ages and budgets (including a pay-what-you-can ticket) will feel comfortable – space is for everyone. 

Bright Stars and Darker Matter

For space cadets under 8 years old, young families and soft souls, Space Time! offers a vibrant 22-minute introduction to the wonders of the cosmos with a version called ‘Bright Stars’ filled with uplifting visuals and more interactive experiences. Click here for Bright Stars each morning, and note tickets are valid for either show. 

In the afternoon, the journey deepens into a ~35-minute show. ‘Darker Matter’ invites more mature audiences to explore the deeper intersections of science and philosophy with darker music that resonates with the incredible imagery beaming in from space. Every Friday 7pm, sessions will have live music and a bar serving space-themed cocktails, open until 9pm. 

New Experiences

Every Friday night the space bunker transforms into a space bar and an intimate live space concert, where live music intertwines with the space visuals - for this, gets tickets to any 'Friday 7pm' session. 

On Saturdays at 1pm, families can embark on a mind-expanding journey through astrophysics with talks by experts from the Mount Stromlo Observatory. Tickets for these experiences are the same price and structure as all other shows, just choose the right time.

Rocket into deep space with drum & bass on Sat 28 September with our sci-fi party, Drum & Space. See the link for separate tickets. The Space Time!! show is not part of this experience, Drum & Space is an immersive dance party for 18+.

Show Dates and Times

The shows loop every day. The show starts 5 minutes after the time on the ticket and people are welcome to stay if they'd like to experience it multiple times. Tickets are valid for any time on the day of ticket to give flexibility, so don't worry if you're early or late.

Each Friday 7pm session will have live music accompanying the experience, and then ongoing live music and bar serving space-themed cocktails, open until 9pm. 

Flexible Tickets

Tickets for Darker Matter or Bright Stars are $9.50 for kids, $12 for adults, $14.50 for adults, $40 for a family of 4, or pay-what-you-can. Don't worry if you come at a different time. and refunds can be automatically processed up to 24 hours before the ticketed time (see your ticket for the link).

Ticket holders are welcome to come to earlier or later sessions- no need to say if you're switching (just show your ticket on entry, rather the rely on the QR code). 

Parking

There is plenty of parking around The Vault, including disability parking.

Drinks and Food

The Vault bar will be serving all types of drinks and snacks, and cocktails in the later sessions. Food is available from various outlets within the Dairy Road precinct, such as Brodburger (in Capital Brewing Co.), Canteen, Contentious Character, Soom Soom and Jasper and Myrtle Chocolates.

Surrounding Precinct

The Dairy Road offers gardens, a gallery, brewery, ramen shop, winery, Kidzplore, chocolate shop, yoga studios and more. See dairyroad.com.au for a map and list of options.

Toilets and Baby Change

These are located within building 3.3, adjacent to The Vault.

Accessibility

An accessible ramp is available for mobility vehicles, wheelchairs and prams to enter The Vault.

Sound Levels

Sound will be played at 60-80 decibels designed for children’s ears. Sessions after 7pm may be a little louder, but children's hearing will always be safe.

Seating

There are couches, soft floor seats, bar stools and deckchairs to choose from, plus carpet for rolling around. 

Photos

Photos of the projections are welcome, but please do not take photos of people or children you do not know. Before and after the show you are welcome to stand in the projections for awesome selfies. 

Lights and Flashing

The show is generally soft and does not flash, except the rocket launch is fairly immersive and involves smoke effects and loud sounds. A sound-sensitive session is available upon request - please email dave@dionysus.place for more information on this.

Age Suitability

This deeper experience is called Darker Matter and is for older audiences (over 8 years old). The Bright Stars version of Space Time!! is designed for softer souls and is still engaging for parents. Everyone requires a ticket except babies under 1. 

What's this cool new space show?

This new program is a preview of a larger project under development by Dionysus in collaboration with Dr Wei Shen Oh and Dr Brad Tucker from the ANU's Mount Stromlo Observatory.