Collarbones perform live at the Jurassic Lounge theatre
Most Sydneysiders have fond memories of visiting the Australian Museum on school excursions, exploring the wonders of nature and the ancient world. Now many of them are coming back for a totally new experience.
For the fifth year now the Museum has opened its doors at night making way for a new perspective on prehistoric relics and nature’s secrets.
Every Tuesday night from February 12 to April 16, 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm, the museum opens its doors for after-hours sessions featuring art, live music, drinks and new ideas.
Chilled margaritas in hand, have a wander and check out Sydney’s hottest new artists, performers and DJs, live acts and exhibitions against a spectacular backdrop of dinosaurs, Indigenous art, skeletons, precious gemstones and native animals.
The Jurassic Lounge opened its summer season with an Anti-Valentines Day theme inviting the audience to an evening of sexy trivia, dating games, comedy, live music, burlesque and swing lessons, voodoo doll making workshops and silent disco – not to mention the wonderful exhibits and the rampaging dinosaur who unexpectedly came lumbering around corners to the delight of the crowd.
What surprised me was the large number of gorgeous twenty-somethings who attended the event. This new approach is evidently successful in attracting young adults as well as the traditional visitor groups made up of school students and retirees. Another major group of museum enthusiasts are people bringing overseas guests to the gorgeous sandstone building.
The themes for the entire season are not yet fully complete but upcoming themes include:
19 February: Year of the Snake (listings online)
26 February: Queer Culture with Sydney Mardi Gras and Same Same (listings online)
5 March – Jurassic Lounge joins the Side Show: Circus acts, freaks and geeks, plus lions and tigers with National Geographic’s Big Cat Week! Roar for the camera and win prizes in Nat Geo’s Roar and Win Comp. Plus a carnival of tunes from Katie Whyte and the Pales and Royal Headache DJs.
12 March – Jurassic Lounge’s Masked Ball: Don your mask at the door and participate in mysterious interactive activities where being anonymous is a definite bonus! Plus tunes from Polographia.
19 March: Bollywood – to be programmed
26 March: Pacific Island Beach Party – live traditional tattooing, Cook Island/ Tahitian Dance Group, audio-visual artist Greg Semmell,
2 April: Alexander the Great – improv Museum tours with comedian Adam Katz, Alexander the Great themed programming.
9 April – to be programmed
16 April – to be programmed
For specific information on the artists and events on offer each Tuesday during the season, visit the Jurassic Lounge website.
Special Alexander the Great Offer: this season only get exclusive, discounted access to the Alexander the Great exhibition: $12 after entry into Jurassic Lounge. Purchase tickets at the door, last tickets sold at 8.30pm, doors close at 9.30pm.
Book online or buy tickets at the door. Admission: $14 per adult. This is an 18+ event. For more information call (02) 9320 6000.
