Laser Light Shows

An excerpt from the Grand Coulee Laser Light Show uploaded by Gary Stebbins on YouTube

I have seen two different laser light shows here in Washington state.  One, at the Grand Coulee Dam, and the other just last night at the Seattle Center.  Both were impressive in different ways.

The Grand Coulee Dam show is always the same.  It gives a history of the dam, then ends with a light show accompanied by Neil Diamond's classic song, "America."  The graphics are very well done.  The history is interesting.  You bring a blanket and sit outside and watch the show at night.  It can get chilly, so you need to dress warm or bring layers.  It makes a great date night.  Best of all, it's free.

The Seattle Center has a choice of shows to choose from.  A coworker of mine gave me some free tickets to see the show, so I invited another friend (at last minute, because the tickets were soon to expire).

I heard that the Pink Floyd show, "The Wall" is supposed to be awesome and the longest running.  There is another Pink Floyd show with songs from Dark Side of the Moon, I kind of wanted to see that one.  However, my friend, being a huge Lady Gaga fan wanted to see that show instead.  It was an earlier show, and we were able to get there in time for it, so we went to that one instead.  I have to say, it was pretty awesome.  There was no history lesson, just music with psychedelic lights throughout the entire show.  There are chairs to sit on, but it is really best to bring pillows and lie on the floor for the best view (we brought our pillows in plastic bags, because it was raining like crazy).

The Laser Gaga show starts off with lights that make you feel like you are traveling through space, or a vortex of bright lights.  There are some abstract images throughout the show, as well as some real simplistic images.  One of my favorite parts of the show, started off with a star-like sky and some very abstract images of color like moving cloth in space.  Another favorite had what kind of looked like Lady Gaga in a Picasso-type form of Cubism.  Since I am not too familiar with Lady Gaga's music, except for the popular tunes, I could not tell you what songs those two parts were played too, but it was definitely cool.

Both my friend and I agreed that our least favorite part of the show was done to the song "Telephone."  It is a great song, but it shows the same image of a very simply drawn cell phone flying in the air over and over again.  One cool thing about it,though, is the image seems to get closer and gives you a feeling that the huge cell phone is falling on top of you.  Unfortunately, it is overdone.  There should be more graphics in the song.

I only recognized 3 songs in the entire show, but that is okay, because some of the songs I did not recognize had a better light show.  My friend was disappointed that they did not play more songs from Lady Gaga's more recent album, but I am thinking it was because the light show may have been created before it.

Overall, we had a good time.  We did both wonder if it would cause epileptic seizures, however.  Parts of the show are very intense spinning and flashing.  So if you are sensitive to those type of things, I would probably suggest you stay away.

It is kind of funny, despite the fact that the Seattle laser shows have been running for over 35 years,  my friend, who has lived in the area all her life, had never heard of the laser light shows over in Seattle until I invited her.  I have lived in the area for several years and only heard of them recently.  It must be one of Seattle's best kept secrets, we think.  On the other hand, both of us have known and have been to the Grand Coulee Dam show.

In comparison, the Grand Coulee Dam show gives you a history lesson, the picture graphics are better, I think the show is slightly longer,there are fireworks, and parking and the show are both free.  However, it is outside, so it can get cold sometimes, mosquitoes might be out, so you want to dress warm  and wear bug spray.  It also does not run year-round.  It is easier to socialize with someone as it is not totally dark.

Laser Gaga "Paparazzi" uploaded by averywjohnson on YouTube

The Laser Gaga show in Seattle has great abstract graphics, but many of the other graphics are very simplistic.  It has a great 3D-like quality to it.  It is indoors, which keeps you warm.  It is especially nice if you like the music that is playing. Some possible downsides are that the best view is on the floor (if you do not like laying down or cranking your head to see, it may not be for you).  It is incredibly dark during the show (of course the lights stand out better that way).  It could be problematic if you are prone to epileptic seizures.  The show and parking both cost money.  Unless you are lucky and have someone who gives you free tickets.  It does have a variety of shows and times to choose from, and I believe it does run year-round.

Both shows are an enjoyable night out, despite the downsides.  I am eager to see more of the shows the Seattle Center has to offer.  I definitely want to see the Pink Floyd one that plays "Dark Side of the Moon."

For more information visit these sites:

*Grand Coulee Dam Laser Show

*Laser Dome, Seattle