OTTAWA — The Museum of Nature hopes its galleries will soon become a playground not just for families, but for the young and hip as well.

Beginning later in January, the museum will open its doors to the under-30 set for monthly after-hours dance parties.

The museum’s education co-ordinator Maggie Kilian hopes the events, called “Nature Nocturne” — part soiree, part gallery tour — will convince young professionals the museum isn’t just for kids.

That’s a challenge it seems the museum needs to address. Tyrell Henry, otherwise known as DJ TDot, thinks most young people don’t think of the museum as a place to party.

“It’s usually just children and old people” he said. He’ll be DJing the event, and said he thinks music and the unique venue will draw young people in.

Kilian said she thinks the event will have a lot in common with this fall’s Nuit Blanche, which hosted urbane revellers in unique spots around the city.

“I think it will (offer) a little bit of bragging rights,” she said.

But converting the historic building into a four-floor nightclub will take some planning.

Food and beverages will be limited to certain spaces, and security will be on the lookout for revellers who may get too handsy with some exhibits.

But whether it’s six-year-old children on a sugar rush or 26-year-old partiers who’ve had a few cocktails, the museum can take it, Kilian said.

“A lot of our museum is set up so that you can touch.”

The parties will span four galleries and feature a DJ, multimedia exhibits and art installations. For now, the bird gallery will be closed, but if enough people show up, Kilian said that could change.

Although this kind of regular event is a first for a major museum in Ottawa, the Museum of Nature has a lot of experiencing planning one-off parties, like weddings.

It was hosting Smirnoff’s Red Door party this August that sparked the museum’s interest in regularly catering to young partygoers, Kilian said.

About 1000 people went to the Red Door party, and she hopes the event will be even more successful.

Alcohol and “food-truck style” food to will be sold to satisfy the revellers — and get them to part with their pocket change.

The first party is on Jan. 25, with monthly events to follow. Tickets are $20 and are available online at nature.ca or at the door.

rerskinelevinson@ottawacitizen.com

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