Entry No. 6 — the Memphis file — filed under: history
AutoZone Sharpe Planetarium — Laser Rock
Inside the domed Pink Palace Museum campus (MoSH), a 130-seat theater-in-the-round throws star fields and laser visuals across the ceiling; on Friday nights the astronomy programming gives way to "Laser Rock" sets synced to full albums — recent runs have covered the Grateful Dead, Queen, and Stranger Things.
The story
By day, the Pink Palace campus—formally the Museum of Science & History (MoSH)—operates as East Memphis's primary marble-clad hub for natural history and astronomy field trips. But on Friday nights, the standard educational solar system lectures inside the AutoZone Sharpe Planetarium step aside for a very different kind of overhead projection.
Tucked inside the 130-seat theater-in-the-round beneath the AutoZone Dome, the standard night sky projections swap out for a laser rig. The system throws full-spectrum visuals across the curved ceiling, synced strictly to full album play-throughs—with recent runs covering classic sets from Queen and the Grateful Dead alongside synth-heavy soundtracks like Stranger Things.
What it's like
You step into the cold air-conditioned dark of the 130-seat circular chamber, find a reclined seat, and wait for the lights to drop to absolute black. Once the audio starts, laser beams paint geometric patterns and neon light sweeps across the ceiling overhead. Aim for seats along the outer ring of the circle to capture the widest dome angle without tilting your head straight back, and confirm current show times with the museum before heading over.
The move: Catch a Friday-night Laser Rock show under the AutoZone Dome (Grateful Dead one week, Queen or a Stranger Things set another), lights down, laser rig cranked, then wander the rest of the Pink Palace campus before it closes.
- 📍 East Memphis / Pink Palace Museum grounds
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Tiger & Peacock Rooftop — The Memphian — Follow up laser-lit celestial sets under the dome with moonlit views and astronomically themed cocktails at this Midtown rooftop bar under two miles away.
- Mary's Bar of Tropical Escapism (Mary's B.O.T.E.) — Trade the retro neon lasers of the dome for rum drinks inside a dim, fish-trap-decked tiki hideaway down Central Avenue.
- Memphis Listening Lab — Pair a full-album laser show under the planetarium dome with a trip to inspect Ardent Records co-founder John King's massive physical music archive at Crosstown Concourse.
Good to know
Where is the AutoZone Sharpe Planetarium located?
It is located on the Pink Palace Museum grounds at the Museum of Science & History (MoSH), situated at 3050 Central Ave in East Memphis.
When do the Laser Rock shows happen?
Laser Rock sets run on Friday evenings inside the planetarium dome once the daytime astronomy programming wraps up.
What artists or albums are featured in the laser shows?
Featured runs swap between full album sets from acts like Queen and the Grateful Dead, as well as themed media scores like Stranger Things.
How big is the planetarium theater?
The planetarium is built as a 130-seat theater-in-the-round under the AutoZone Dome.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: moshmemphis.com · choose901.com
last checked: 2026-07-20