Museum Offers a New Season of Friday Evening Programs

Starting this month, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will embark on a new lineup for Friday evening programs. The first three Fridays of the month will be dedicated to live music and the last Friday of every month will be a louder and livelier night of themed activities and performances throughout the Museum, still starting at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 8:45 p.m.

Friday, January 27 is themed “Divas & Queens.” Visitors can experience a “de-tour” led by burlesque performer Kate Nyx, who will guide them through the collection focusing on the history of burlesque and the representation of the body in art. Two in-gallery performances by The Bearded Ladies, Philadelphia’s premiere cabaret troupe will pay tribute to Barbra Streisand and the fiftieth anniversary of her memorable performance at the Museum, Color Me Barbra. A headline performance by Red 40 and the Last Groovement is also scheduled.

February will feature a “Lonely Hearts Club” themed night and March’s program, titled “Rebel, Rebel” will draw inspiration from a new installation in the Duchamp Gallery that celebrates the centennial of the artist’s seminal work, Fountain.

Emily Schreiner, the Zoë and Dean Pappas Curator of Education, Public Programs, said: “In the spirit of welcoming new audiences, our new Friday Nights will offer visitors creative experiences that are designed to be provocative and entertaining. We will have stellar performances, hands-on activities, and gallery tours that can only be experienced at the Museum.”

On the other Fridays of each month, visitors can enjoy two sets of live music in the Great Stair Hall, after-hours access to all galleries, and food and drink service by Starr Catering.

Friday Nights continue to be free with Museum admission and Members are always free. Friday Nights begin at 5:00 p.m. and the Museum is open until 8:45 p.m.

Visit philamuseum.org/fridaynights for more details.

Friday Nights Schedule for January and February 2017

Darryl Yokley
January 13, 2017
Accompanied by his band Sound Reformation, this saxophonist presents an unforgettable fusion of music and visual arts celebrating African music and culture.

Cunio
January 20, 2017
Broadway star and former member of Under the Streetlamp, Michael Cunio, dazzles audiences with a soulful repertoire.

Divas & Queens
January 27, 2017
Philly's gender-benders take over the Museum for the kickoff of the new Friday Nights that feature themed activities and performances throughout the Museum. Burlesque performer Kate Nyx will give "detours" of the galleries, exploring the history of burlesque and representation of the body in art. The Bearded Ladies premiere, "Color Me Bearded," an homage to Barbra Streisand's 1966 "Color Me Barbra" television special, which was filmed in the Museum’s galleries. Red 40 & The Last Groovement headline the night.

Additional ticket required for "Color Me Bearded." Please be advised that "Color Me Bearded" contains adult themes and nudity.

Paula West
February 3, 2017
A jazz cabaret legend known for her powerful voice and unique interpretations of classics.

Kendrah Butler
February 10, 2017
Kimmel Center Jazz Resident merges jazz and faith to create "sacred jazz."

Sullivan Fortner
February 17, 2017
New Orleanian pianist and 2015 recipient of the Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz fills an evening with playful jazz improvisations.

Lonely Hearts Club
February 24, 2017
Love is a battlefield. Music, art, and theater help soothe your soul.

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We are Philadelphia’s art museum. A landmark building. A world-renowned collection. A place that welcomes everyone. We bring the arts to life, inspiring visitors—through scholarly study and creative play—to discover the spirit of imagination that lies in everyone. We connect people with the arts in rich and varied ways, making the experience of the Museum surprising, lively, and always memorable. We are committed to inviting visitors to see the world—and themselves—anew through the beauty and expressive power of the arts.

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