Montclair Art Museum Offers Extended Gallery Hours during Free First Thursday Night

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - Jan. 28, 2016 - PRLog -- Free First Thursday Nights invite the Montclair Art Museum’s (MAM’s) entire community to enjoy a night out at the Museum the first Thursday of the month (October–June) from 5 to 9 p.m. The programming includes a dynamic mix of free admission, a full-service bar, live music, and a variety of activities. Free First Thursday Nights are made possible by TD Bank.

         Offerings change on a monthly basis, providing something new to see and do at every First Thursday Night. The February evening’s music will be provided by DJ C-Rius, who will entertain with a variety of styles and genres, including a tribute to David Bowie. A special performance by a select ensemble from Jazz House Kids will take place in Leir Hall at 6 p.m.

In honor of African American History Month, MAM’s African American Cultural Committee will host a meet and greet table introducing visitors to the group consisting of dedicated artists, community leaders, and volunteers who are engaged in the life of the Montclair Art Museum. Tours at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. will highlight African American artists and artistic subjects. University of Pittsburgh Professor Dawn Lundy Martin will recite poems from her newest book Life in a Box is a Pretty Life, that was partially inspired by her poet-in-residence experience at MAM during the Museum’s Centennial celebrations in 2014. Two poetry readings will take place in the galleries at 7 and 8 p.m. Watchung Books will highlight African American authors.

Take home a work of art from Free First Thursday Night! Diane Israel, former director of the Essex Fine Arts Gallery in Montclair, will be on site doing “minute miniatures”—on-demand miniature watercolors of landscapes, still-lifes, and flowers. Visitors can also create their own artwork in the Yard School of Art Draw Along Workshop, which offers a free session with a clothed model every Free First Thursday Night.

TD Bank will also have an information table, highlighting their newest offer: Picture Perfect Banking—new customers can earn a Polaroid Cube+. Stay tuned to MAM’s Instagram @mammontclair to view live videos taken with a Polaroid Cube+ at Free First Thursday Night and stop by the Montclair TD Bank store for more details.

Free First Thursday Night refreshments also include a full-service bar and food trucks. The Art Bar at MAM is now in partnership with Upstairs bar and restaurant and features signature cocktails, wine, and NJ Beer Co. beer at special Free First Thursday Night prices. Museum members receive a discount on all drinks at the bar. The featured food trucks in February will be The Original Soupman and Ann’s Cajun Catering. Guests can relax with complimentary chair massages courtesy of Wolke Chiropractic of Verona, which has been a popular participant in Free First Thursday Night all year.

Love Free First Thursday Nights? MAM is nominated in the Discover Jersey Arts People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Art Museum, Favorite Adult Art Class, and Favorite Art Camp. Voting stations will be available during Free First Thursday Night or guests can vote from home at jerseyarts.com/vote.

Free First Thursday Nights run October through June. For an up-to-date schedule of upcoming Free First Thursday Nights, visit montclairartmuseum.org/free-first-thurs-nights (https://www.montclairartmuseum.org/free-first-thurs-night...). Highlights include a live rendition of Abbott & Costello’s Who’s on First? in March, Artist Talk with Noah Klersfeld in April and Montclair Film Festival lineup announcement in April, Studio Montclair Draw Along Workshop in May, NJ LGBT Chamber Meet-ups, and dance performances.