The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum recently had its debut "Gardner After Hours" event, a special occasion that is planned for every third Thursday of the month.
Tonight marks the second Gardner After Hours event, so hop on the Green Line to visit the museum from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and hear live music, wander through art galleries, and (if you're 21) drink cocktails at the courtyard bar. For those who know the Gardner, it features a breathtaking courtyard and a unique and interesting art collection which is most conducive to creating a great atmosphere for entertaining, especially during nighttime hours.
The museum's Director of Public Programs Julie Crites explained one reason for creating the After Hours programming on the Gardner's new After Hours blog: "Our standard hours are 11 a.m. [to] 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday - that's great and all, but there are lots of us out there who can't get to the museum during the week and then weekends are so busy with trips or meeting up with friends that it can be hard to find the time."
Last month, the Gardner featured an Asian theme, with live Koto and Shakuhachi performances and the exhibition "The Asian Shore" in addition to talks and tours of other parts of the museum.
The Gardner is choosing to feature contemporary composers this month, emphasizing the genre's key role in being paired with art as a way to enhance the viewing experience.
Furthermore, Isabella Stewart Gardner was a great fan of what was considered contemporary during her lifetime, and this is an ode to her cultured tastes. Russ Gershon's Intimate Ensemble will play their jazz tunes while attendants enjoy drinks and socialize around the courtyard on the ground floor. Visitors are also free to go upstairs to enjoy one or more of the other interesting events taking place this Thursday night.
The various tours throughout the night will highlight the musical aspect of the Museum's permanent collection. Another option is to join in the conversations led by museum educator Michelle Grohe about "Europa," a famous painting by Titian and one of Isabella Gardner's personal favorites. There will be even more emphasis on the museum's musical history in a talk by archivist Kristin Parker on the instruments, letters, manuscripts and more in the Yellow Room. For all the aspiring artists out there, the Gardner will also be giving out pencils, erasers and paper to sketch anywhere in one of the gallery spaces.
The admission fee to this event is only $5 for college students, a small price to pay for a great event. An additional $5 allows viewers to attend the After Hours PLUS show, which features the innovative jazz of composer Julius Hemphill. In this show, acclaimed jazz and classical players will share the stage in an interesting melding of genres. For those in need of some culinary satisfaction during the event, The Gardner Café will be serving light fare and drinks until 9 p.m.
Avid fans of the Gardner Museum and newcomers alike are certain to wholly enjoy this nighttime event. It is a cultured yet fun way to spend a Thursday night and is guaranteed to entertain both art and music enthusiasts, as well as anyone looking to explore a new evening atmosphere in Boston.
On the blog, Crites boasts that, "It is for people who want to try something new and like the idea of spending an evening at the museum along with a glass of wine in hand and friends by your side. So, we hope you come and like what you see, and if you do or if you don't, tell us."
