By Hana Nobel, News Staff
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) may not come to life after dark a la ‘Night at the Museum,’ but tonight the museum will let loose to host its annual College Night from 7 p.m. to midnight.
College Night is an opportunity for the museum to open its doors to college students and let them see what it has to offer, said Diana O’Donnell, public relations coordinator of the MFA.’
Though students from 47 colleges are able to visit the museum for free every day with a valid student ID, O’Donnell said most students are unaware of this perk. College Night, in its fifth year, promotes the museum in hopes that students will take advantage of its offerings and meet students from other schools.
Included in the night’s lineup is local ‘rock, soul, funk band’ Love in Stockholm, whose set begins at 8 p.m. in the Norma Jean Calderwood Courtyard.
Students seeking a coffeehouse vibe can stop by the MFA’s Bravo restaurant where singer Liz Longley, a Berklee student who performed at last year’s event, is back for an encore. For those who just want to dance, another returning entertainer, Northeastern alumnus Ryan Sciaino (better known as DJ Ghostdad) will spin dance music in the Lower Galleria starting at 10 p.m.
Other activities include Slam Jam, a hula hooping party starting at 8:15 p.m., and drawing in some galleries. Snacks from Qdoba and drinks from Nantucket Nectars will be provided. Coffee will also be served at Longley’s performance.
Special features include two Mexican Revolution exhibits, ‘Viva Mexico! ‘ Edward Weston and His Contemporaries’ and ‘Vida y Drama: ‘ Modern Mexican Prints,’ as well as an exhibit inspired by music titled ‘Contemporary Outlook: Seeing Songs.”
O’Donnell said that the event has increased in popularity since its first year.’
‘We’ve finally gotten to the point where people expect it and are looking forward to it, which is great,’ she said.
Last year 3,400 students attended, according to a press release.
‘ ‘I know we’ve had Northeastern students come in for projects,’ O’Donnell said. ‘We have really good film and concert programs ‘- students come in for that. A lot of people do know about it, and they will come, but at the same time we talk to people who are unfamiliar with it.’
In October, the MFA will start ‘College Comedy Classics.’ On the third Thursday of every month until April, the museum will show movies on the big screen such as college favorites ‘Office Space’ and ‘The Big Lebowski’ for $5.
The museum’s renovations will not be completed until late 2010, but O’Donnell said that will not hinder the event.
Brian Cantrell, a sophomore graphic design major, said that although he did not attend College Night last year, he does frequent the MFA.’
Cantrell said most people he knows go strictly for class, but he has known people who have gone on their own.
Caleb Winship, a sophomore international business major, said he attended College Night with friends last year.’
‘I’d never been before,’ he said. ‘I went, and it was an elegant art museum. It was full of students. We went upstairs, and the whole atmosphere was like flipped over. There was a dance floor packed full of people … a big contrast to the elegant art stuff downstairs.’
