ST. PETERSBURG — The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, recently announced its upcoming fall schedule for the popular Art After Dark series.
Presented Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., Art After Dark offers discounted admission, engaging docent-led tours, live music, workshops, social events, and special programming designed to provide exciting new ways to explore the MFA and its collection.
“Art After Dark is about bringing the museum to life in fresh, surprising ways,” said Ivy Bealyer, MFA community engagement manager. “Whether it’s through live music, hands-on making, or unique social events, every program gives visitors a new reason to explore and connect with the MFA.”
A highlight of the schedule is live music, anchored by an evening with Grammy Award-winning guitarist and composer Andrew York on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Internationally recognized for his expressive performances and acclaimed original compositions, York brings a captivating program that showcases the breadth of his artistry, from lyrical melodies to virtuosic passages. Presented in the Marly Room, the performance offers a rare opportunity to experience one of today’s most distinguished classical guitar artists in concert.
Additional musical performances in the MFA’s Mary Alice McClendon Conservatory include Summer Sessions with DJ Jdog on Sept. 3; Chaunces Trio on Sept. 10; Classical Revolution on Sept. 24 and Dec. 17; Sundé on Oct. 8; Fern & Friends on Nov. 12; and Bryan J. Hughes & the Crew on Dec. 10.
Interactive programming continues with monthly Trivia Nights hosted by St. Pete native Max Blowers, featuring pop culture challenges and gallery-based clues. Trivia Nights are set for Oct. 1, Nov. 5, and Dec. 3. Dance enthusiasts can participate in Swing Dance nights, which will launch with a Lindy Hop lesson led by Kalz Daniel and Dominic Hallworth before opening into a social dance with no partner required. Swing Dance nights are Sept. 17 and Oct. 15.
In conjunction with the exhibition “New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations,” the MFA will host the four-part Book + Belonging club in partnership with Book + Bottle. Each session features a facilitated discussion, gallery talk, paired wine, and popcorn. The book club covers “Open Water,” by Caleb Azumah Nelson, on Sept. 3; “Silver Sparrow,” by Tayari Jones, on Oct. 1; “Friday Black,” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, on Nov. 5; and “Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm,” by Laura Warrell, on Dec. 3.
The MFA offers a range of hands-on and creative experiences throughout the fall, including writing workshops on Sept. 17, Oct. 15, and Nov. 12; a ceramic workshop on Oct. 15; and a T-shirt screen printing pop-up on Oct. 22. Additionally, guests can discover the museum’s darker side through eerie docent tours, hands-on activities, trick-or-treating, and after-hours gallery access during the Art After Dark Spooky Edition, set for Oct. 29.
Visitors can complete their evening with culinary offerings from Café Clementine. The café’s L’Apéro hours feature organic wines, local Green Bench beer, and an array of sweet and savory delights. Select evenings will also feature wine tastings and special culinary experiences, including a honey tasting hosted with Noble Nectar Apiaries on Sept. 17. Lost Coast Oyster Co. returns with a raw bar pop-up featuring oysters, custom mignonettes, and house-made toppings on Sept. 3, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10.
For information and a full calendar of events, visit mfastpete.org/events-calendar/.