Charlotte premiere debuts tonight at Science on the Rocks

CHARLOTTE – Join Discovery Place for the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation's awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness when National Parks Adventure opens in The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre on Saturday, May 21, 2016.

Narrated by Academy Award® winner Robert Redford, the film showcases the wonder and beauty of America’s national parks with incredible IMAX cinematography while highlighting the importance of protecting them. Moviegoers will soar over red rock canyons, hurtle down steep mountain peaks and explore other-worldly realms found within America’s most legendary outdoor places. Along the way, the film becomes an action-packed celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service and a soulful reflection on what wilderness means to us all.

Filmed in more than 30 national parks across the county, this immersive film follows world-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb and explore their way across America's spectacularly wild and beautiful places – include Yellowstone, Glacier National park, Yosemite and Arches – revealing a tapestry of natural wonders that will inspire the adventurer in all of us.

The film coincides with the United States National Parks Service’s centennial celebration by showcasing the majesty of the national parks and treasured landscapes by giving viewers glimpses of these wild spaces that they won’t see anywhere else.

Discovery Place will premiere the film on Friday, May 20 during the afterhours adult party Science on the Rocks: Summer Camp. This adult summer camp is complete with an REI campsite lounge, nerf archery, scooter kayak races, liquid nitrogen marshmallows and more! Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door and $5 to add National Park Adventure. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. Must be 21+ to enter.

National Parks Adventure opens to the public at Discovery Place on May 21, 2016 in The Charlotte Observer IMAX^® Dome Theatre. Show times will run every hour on the half hour between 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Then meet with North Carolina’s National Park Service from the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks. Their Living History Reenactors will be onsite teaching Colonial games, showcasing clothes from the 18th Century, demonstrating sachet-making, enter to win REI camping gear and take a selfie with special guest, Buddy the Bison! Then stop by and pick up a free Every Kid In A Park pass from the National Parks Foundation and learn more about local parks near you.

IMAX tickets are $10 for adults ages 14-59, $9 for children ages 2-13 and seniors 60+, or only $5 for Members and free for children younger than 2. When paired with a Museum admission, tickets are just $5 for all ages. Group discounts also are available. Science on the Rocks tickets at $8 in advance or $10 at the door, and $5 to add National Parks Adventure. Visit discoveryplace.org or call 704.372.6261 x300 for show times. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. National parks Adventure runs for 43 minutes and is rated G.

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About Discovery Place:

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on activities.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call 704.372.6261, visit discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Discovery Place, Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte Nature Museum, Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville and Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham and is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council.

About National Parks Adventure

National Parks Adventure is a MacGillivray Freeman film produced in association with Brand USA and presented globally by Expedia, Inc. and Subaru of America, Inc. with major support from the Giant Dome Theater Consortium. The film is directed by Greg MacGillivray (The Living Sea, Dolphins, Everest) and produced by Shaun MacGillivray (To The Arctic, Grand Canyon Adventure). Academy Award winner Robert Redford narrates the film. Filmed with IMAX 3D cameras, National Parks Adventure is written by Stephen Judson (Everest, To The Arctic) and Tim Cahill (Everest) with a musical score by Steve Wood (Journey to the South Pacific, To the Arctic).

About Brand USA

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA’s consumer website at www.VisitTheUSA.com.

About MacGillivray Freeman Films

MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s foremost independent producer and distributor of giant-screen 70mm films with 38 films for IMAX and giant-screen theatres to its credit. Throughout the company’s 50-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame. MacGillivray Freeman’s films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one billion dollar benchmark for worldwide box office. For more information about the company, visit www.MacGillivrayFreemanFilms.c....

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