LASERIUM LIGHT SHOWS MOVING TO NEW SITE

Lisa Mascaro
Staff Writer

With the temporary closure of Griffith Observatory, comes the shuttering of another L.A. mainstay ­ the LASERIUM light shows that have entertained millions since they first lit up the dome nearly three decades ago.

Saturday night's showing of Pink Floyd's the Dark Side of the Moon will be the first of three evening productions that will end its run at the hilltop home.

For Laser Images Inc. President Ivan Dryer, President leaving the Griffith Park venue closes one era and opens another for the show that has entertained generations, and plans to continue at a new location.

"Closing it closes a chapter in my life," said the Van Nuys businessman.

Dryer said plans are under way to open in a new facility, to be called LASERIUM CYBERDOME, in the Los Angeles area by spring.

Also, LASERIUM will be accompanying the L.A. Philharmonic in mid-January for three performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, he said. The laser-projected light show debuted in Los Angeles at the observatory in 1973 and went on to entertain a generation with its mix of music and sights.

Later shows have kept pace with musical trends- including music by the rock band U2, a Totally 80's show and one that offers a mix of rock, reggae and other genres.

The observatory closes Jan. 6 night as an expansion and renovation program begins. It is expected to re-open by 2005.

LASERIUM will be open New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and through next week. The doors will close Saturday night following a show called laser Visions, which Dryer described as his favorite, that mixes world, ambient and space music.

"We're running a mix of our favorite shows between now and Saturday," said Dryer.