Mad About Bats: An Educational Circus About Bats, Flight and Doing What's Right

Batty about bats? Join us to celebrate the park residents that gobble up mosquitos and see with their ears! Special guests Rhys Thomas and David Lichtenstein will present a 30-minute comedy circus for all ages, sharing bat science through juggling, lasso work, puppetry, and more. Park ecologist Dr. Tara Chestnut and members of the park's wildlife team will also lead evening acoustic bat bio blitzes throughout the park. A bio blitz shows us which bat species are active in the area. Participants will take a short walk while listening and recording species’ vocalizations.

• Fri Sept 8: 10 am Ohanapecosh Campground, 2 pm Sunrise Visitor Center, 6:30 pm White River Campground followed by a 1 hour bat acoustic BioBlitz with the wildlife crew.
• Sat Sept 9: 10 am Ohanapecosh Campground, 2 pm Sunrise Visitor Center, 6:30 pm White River Campground followed by a 1 hour bat acoustic BioBlitz with the wildlife crew.  
• Mon Sept 11: 10 am Cougar Rock Campground, 2 pm Paradise Jackson Visitor Center.
• Tues Sept 12: 10 am Longmire in front of Wilderness Information Center (Longmire Administration Building), 6:30 pm Longmire in front of Wilderness Information Center (Longmire Administration Building) followed by 1 hour bat acoustic BioBlitz with the wildlife crew around Trail of the Shadows.

Mad About Bats features JuggleMania’s Rhys Thomas and Wild West roper David Lichtenstein, who use comedy, circus skills, and audience involvement to educate adults and kids about bats! SEE bat characteristics illustrated with juggling, HEAR echolocation presented with trick lasso work, and FEEL silly from all the clowning around. A beautiful bat puppet and large photos of bats also help humans relate to their flying mammal brethren. Thomas and Lichtenstein are two of the Northwest’s premiere performers of variety comedy shows featuring comedy, circus arts, and educational themes. Both have performed full-time for 30+ years in theaters, schools, and festivals, and each has performed in 30+ countries worldwide.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Fri Sep 8 & 9: 10am at Ohanapecosh Campground, 2pm at Sunrise Visitor Center, 6:30pm at White River Campground Mon Sep 11: 10am at Cougar Rock Campground, 2pm at Jackson Visitor Center Tues Sep 12: 10am and 6:30pm at Longmire Wilderness Information Center

Schedule

10am, 2pm, and 6:30pm. 6:30pm event followed by 1 hour bat acoustic BioBlitz with NPS wildlife crew.

Event Type

• Exhibition/Show