Thursday, I’m in love

A typical networking or social event may include any of the following: elevator music, booze and a theme to mark the night as an actual event.

Then there’s the Young Professionals of the LSU Museum of Art. The group adds a little twist, and we’re not talking about a lime floating in a vodka tonic. It’s an added twist of thought to their monthly gatherings, called Third Thursdays, that showcase the current exhibits at the museum.

In March, to correlate with the Rodin sculptures, guests at the party enjoyed a French and English mélange of entertainment. “The exhibit was in both English and French, and the entertainment reflected that, too,” Natalie Mault, assistant curator, says. Dancers and magicians from the troupe Fleur de Tease wowed the audience with burlesque and cancan dances.

This month’s Third Thursday theme is Innovación. Local artist and designer Jill Mulkey will dress live mannequins with her restructured denim, shirts and accessories. “Miller Lite is going to sponsor the event, and the Miller girls are going to wear Jill’s clothing,” Chelsea Harris Catlett, membership coordinator, says. Clothing and art will be for sale. DJ OttO will provide the decidedly non-elevator music for the night. All Third Thursday events are held on the 4th floor at the Shaw Center and include drinks, music, food and a link to art in the museum.

“We want to promote a group of people, different types of people, to the arts in Baton Rouge,” says Harris. Each month the theme and tone of the party changes, keeping things unexpected and well, artsy. Innovación is May 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5 for LSU MOA members and $10 for the general public. lsumoa.com