Jurassic Lounge

Tuesday nights at the museum are as popular as ever

First published on 21 Dec 2010. Updated on 17 Apr 2013.

This event has finished

Looking at the crowds at Jurassic Lounge's Anti-Valentine’s opening night – which featured dating roulette, voodoo doll craft and screenings of Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porn (the most amusing portrayal of insect procreation that you’re ever likely to see) – it’s clear that the museum party is as popular as ever.

Since its inception in 2011, more than 44,000 Sydneysiders have roamed, drink in hand, around the museums dinosaurs, skeletons and taxidermy on a Tuesday night. It's a stat that Nick Jarvis from the Festivalists, the group that produces the event, is proud to tell us. “It just keeps growing – and we’re really happy with that,” says Jarvis. “We’ve got a dedicated core of fans, and we’d like to see even more people – ones that haven't experienced Jurassic Lounge before, or haven’t been to the museum since they were kids. Our plan is to have a lot more interactive games, to get people as involved as possible. We also want to bring more science and natural history into it, by having visiting experts and professionals.”

If you’re one of those remaining virgin Jurassic Loungers, each week includes live music, screenings and interactive performances, compiled under a different theme. Plus, for the entire ten-week season, there’s Dino Wars, burlesque from Diesel Darling, a silent disco, retro games and – new this season – cute crafts from artist Kitiya Palaskas.

The Festivalists, who are also behind great Sydney initiatives Kino Sydney and World Movies Secret Cinema, have lined up an exciting programme for March, including live music from Katie Whyte and the Pales, Royal Headache DJs and Polographia.

Jurassic Lounge: Side Show Night
Sydney	Held in collaboration with National Geographic, this week's Jurassic Lounge is all about freaks, geeks and big cats. We hear there'll be a safari photo booth, catnap corner (cute!), live body painting, hula hoopers and the Human Jukebox. Tue Mar 5.
Jurassic Lounge: Masked Ball
Sydney	Those sneaky Jurassic Loungers are keeping schtum about this one. However, when Time Out spoke to Nick Jarvis from the Festivalists, he hinted: "Let's just say people will be more inclined to interact if they're anonymous." Tue Mar 12.
Jurassic Lounge: Bollywood night
Sydney	Like a good Bollywood flick, we're hoping that this themed night includes soft focus close-ups, extravagant musical numbers, a sword fight, a tragic death and plenty of romance. Tue Mar 19.
Jurassic Lounge: Pacific Islands Beach Party
Sydney	The Pacific Islands beach party, held in partnership with Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, will include live Samoan tattooing and performances inspired by the Museum's Pacific Islands collection. Tue Mar 26.
Jurassic Lounge: Alexander the Great
Sydney	Jurassic Lounge loves a theme this year, and with the Australian Museum's Alexander the Great exhibition running until April 28 they couldn't resist holding an Alexander the Great party. Tue Apr 2.

Words by Emma Joyce |

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