Although not without its bright spots, the majority of those 28 days were absolutely horrible, which was especially disappointing given how 2013 came storming out of the gate with a spectacular January. So, to celebrate the occasion of the calendar turning to March 1st, I accompanied the Apothecary and her friends to a party at the Natural History Museum.
For those of you who haven't been, the Natural History Museum has a terrific collection--rare gems, ancient artifacts, all manner of taxidermified animals. The highlight, though, is their fossil exhibits. Tyrannosaurus rex, woolly mammoth, ancient man--they're all there. And, for all you Wonder Years fans, the museum is also the backdrop of a pivotal moment in Kevin Arnold's life--when Winnie discovers his infidelity and informs him that she's met another guy. All told, the place is awesome.
But unsatisfied with just being awesome, the Natural History Museum gets downright fantastic by throwing itself a little party on the first Friday of each month, complete with keynote speaker, food trucks, and full-service bars. Although all the exhibits are still open during the party, I must admit that the educational value of each seems to decrease proportionally to the amount of alcohol consumed. As the evening progresses, thirst for knowledge is replaced by desire to mingle. And so the museum obliges by dimming the lights, getting the liquor flowing, and transforming itself into a nightclub for nerds. This is not meant to be negative. Far from it. As as a nerd myself, I think the advent of this type of club is pure genius. I mean, I think clubbing can be fun, but how many times have I been to a traditional club and felt like the subject of a "which of these does not belong" brain teaser? No more. Although it lacked the regular accoutrements of a traditional club, the museum certainly captured that essence--a place to take it back a couple notches on the evolutionary scale and let out the primal side.
So, perhaps it was fitting that the focal point of the experience--the dance floor--was set up in the African Mammal Hall. The space looks like your traditional club with its dim lighting, splashes of neon lighting, and a DJ conducting from his perch. But of course, a traditional club doesn't have wild animals overlooking the whole affair. The juxtaposition was strange and cool at the same time, which I suppose is what makes it nerdy, and it added a pinch of feralness to the already bubbling primal cauldron--the might of the elephant, the grace of the oryx, and the ferocity of the lion. It was impressive. And I am sure to be returning.
--KM
"Pardon me, the music is moving. Moving from left to right."
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