Starting today, the University of Nebraska State Museum will offer free admission to Morrill Hall every Thursday night in July.

The museum, at 14th and Vine streets, will be open free of charge from 4:30 to 8 p.m. today, and July 9, 16, 23 and 30.

In addition, Mueller Planetarium in the museum will feature a limited run of the fulldome shows "Secret of the Cardboard Rocket," a 3-D animated show for children, at 5:30 p.m., and "Dark Side of the Moon: The Fulldome Experience," at 7 p.m. "Dark Side of the Moon" is not intended for younger children. Tickets to planetarium shows can be bought at the front desk of the museum.

After July, Morrill Hall will continue to be open until 8 p.m. Thursdays, but beginning Aug. 6, regular admission will be charged. That's $5 for adults, $3 for children (ages 5-18) and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). For more information visit www.museum.unl.edu.

Kids Rule returns Wednesday

Marcus Theatre's "Kids Rule" summer movie program for families returns July 8 and 9 with the showing of "Monsters vs. Aliens."

Kids Rule movies begin at 10 a.m. at Lincoln's Grand and SouthPointe theaters. Admission is $3 and includes a complimentary popcorn.

Zoo closes early on July 4

In honor of Independence Day, the Lincoln Children's Zoo will close at 3 p.m. Saturday. The zoo will be open regular hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Sunday.

Music & Mozzarella stars Mike Mennard

Children's artist Mike Mennard is the musical guest at today's Music & Mozzarella outdoor concert at the Lincoln Children's Museum, 1420 P St.

Music & Mozzarella runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Families can buy a $3 pizza pack - slice of pizza, breadstick and pop - starting at 5 p.m. Mike Mennard will take the stage from 6 to 7 p.m. The museum is open until 7:30 p.m.

Omaha zoo has monkey on exhibit

The Lied Jungle at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has a new baby Blue monkey on exhibit.

The Blue monkey was born May 28 at the zoo.

Henry Doorly Zoo is one of four AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoos with Blue monkeys. Only 14 Blue monkeys are in zoos across North America, and the Omaha zoo is home to eight.

Blue monkeys originate from rainforests in central, eastern and southern Africa. They have brown or grayish color fur everywhere except their face. Despite their name, they have no noticeable blue coloring, although the darkness of their face can have a blue tint at times.

Blue monkeys prefer humid, shady areas to inhabit. They mainly eat fruits and leaves with the occasional slow-moving slug or worm. The monkeys are a social species living in groups of 10 to 40 individuals.

Henry Doorly Zoo is at Nebraska's I-80, exit 454. It is open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $11.50 for adults; $7.75 for children (ages 3-11), and $10 for seniors. For more information, visit www.omahazoo.org.