CP NEWS: Art and Alcohol: Together at Last

[ddm-news]

-Gina Grinstead

Good ol’ Mom. Whenever she asks what you’ve been doing for fun, it’s impossible to answer honestly without making her wonder where she went so wrong. Do you really want another lecture about binge drinking? Fortunately, savvy museums and galleries across the country offer fun that’s not for the whole family, combining DJ parties, booze, and late hours with their cultural enrichment. With CP’s handy Museum Guide, you can make Mom proud the next time she calls. And maybe, like, learn something.

NEW YORK

WarmUp (Saturdays)

P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center

22-25 Jackson Ave at the intersection of 46th Ave in Long Island City, 718-784-2084.

By now a New York summer institution, P.S.1 has been drawing crowds numbering in the thousands to its weekly DJ series since back in the 90’s. Starting in July, five measly dollars gains you entrance to the museum courtyard featuring sculpture installations, barbeques, plastic cups of beer, wading pools, a mix of top local and international electronic music artists, and enough sweat to burn off all that beer.

First Fridays (Fridays)

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street, 212-423-3500.

Though on hiatus for the summer, Guggenheim’s monthly party series is one to keep on the radar. Those lucky enough to score tickets hear DJ sets from artists like RJD2, Beans, VHS or BETA, and Diplo while sipping cocktails in the Frank Lloyd Wright designed rotunda. Tickets are free for members and $15 for the rest of us.

PopRally (Saturdays)

Museum of Modern Art

11 West 53rd Street, 212-708-9400.

In an effort to draw the young and hip (hey, that’s you!) to the museum, MoMA recently kicked off its new event program featuring films, exhibitions, and live music on April 22nd. The series continues on June 24th with a screening of visual artist Douglas Gordon’s film-related work followed by a performance from German electropop group Chicks on Speed and an open bar in the Sculpture Garden. Tickets, which, if the first event were any indication, will sell out very quickly, are just $10. And did I mention the open bar?

Target First Saturdays (Saturdays)

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway, 718-638-5000.

The Brooklyn Museum is now on the “First ___days” bandwagon with its Target-sponsored interactive and free after-hours events. Starting June 3rd, get your butt across the East River to absorb an array of film screenings, lectures, and exhibitions. If your sense of rhythm is a little rusty, take a salsa dance class to warm up for the outdoor dance party. And don’t forget to grab your favorite Demi Moore or Patrick Swayze look-a-like and learn how to sculpt your very own clay pot.

LOS ANGELES

Night Vision: MOCA after dark (Saturdays)

Museum of Contemporary Art - Grand Avenue

250 South Grand Avenue, 213-626-6222.

MOCA’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink late night summer programming premiers on Saturday, May 27th with events organized by the hour. Grab some drinks and snacks at the cash bar and take your pick from among three DJs, four film screenings, three exhibit tours, two spoken word poets, an art-making workshop, and a partridge in a pear tree. Tickets are $8 or, with museum admission, free.

First and Central Summer Concerts (Thursdays)

Japanese American National Museum

369 East First Street, 213-625-0414

Go global with this culture-conscious world music series. Last year’s lineup included DJs and bands from East Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The bimonthly concerts start June 1st with Domingo Siete, an LA-based Latin American collective. If that’s not spicy enough for you, nosh on food catered by Mama’s Hot Tamales Café.

Late Night at LACMA (Fridays)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

5905 Wilshire Boulevard, 323-857-6000.

This one’s members only, but joining might be worth it if your interest in the art scene extends beyond 9th grade Art Appreciation. In addition to an invite to the biannual celebration that includes DJ sets, live music, and free hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, a Muse membership gets you admittance to the ArtWalk gallery crawl, the Halloween Costume Ball, the Young Director’s Night, Curatorial Walkthroughs, and the CozmoCard, which earns a hefty discount at hundreds of local business.

CHICAGO

First Fridays (Fridays)

Museum of Contemporary Art

220 East Chicago Avenue, 312-280-2660.

A celebration of iconic and emerging artists (and the simple fact that it’s Friday), the MCA’s monthly party gives the New York museums a run for their money. Take in sounds from live local musicians, vodka from Absolut, and appetizers from Wolfgang Puck while finding the love of your life at the “world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar.” The June 2nd party featuring an Andy Warhol exhibit adds on Twister and hula hooping in the Sculpture Garden, a t-shirt customization station, and an after-party. Not bad for ten bucks.

Fall Arts Festival Opening Night Party (Friday)

Around the Coyote Gallery

1935 ½ West North Avenue, 773-342-6777.

Head to Wicker Park to support Chicago’s emerging artists and benefit Around the Coyote’s art education program at the same time. The weekend-long production begins on September 8th with food from Las Palmas, a screening of 10 years of the gallery’s film highlights, the requisite DJs, and a silent auction should the drinks (included with $20 admission) prompt you to start your art collection.

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