Past Event: Cocktails & Culture: Halloween Masquerade Party

Due to inclement weather, this program will take place entirely indoors.

Masks and proof of vaccination required.

At our next jam-packed edition of Cocktails & Culture, kick off your weekend festivities at our Halloween Masquerade Party.  Dress up as your favorite '80s music star, walk the red carpet, and compete for prizes in our Costume Contest. Meet the giant puppets and spooky characters from Teatro SEA. Join DJ Misbehaviour for an electric dance party with a special "Thriller" performance by Purssophonie. Sign up for the open mic at our monthly MC'NY Poets' Café hosted by poet Shanelle Gabriel. Enjoy hair-raising cocktails from the MCNY bar and delicious West African food from the Teranga pop-up café. 

Our exhibitions New York, New Music: 1980-1986 and Puppets of New York will be open for viewing.

Event Timeline:
6:00 pm - DJ Misbehaviour starts spinning (Rotunda) 
6:30 pm - Puppets from Teatro SEA arrive
6:45 pm - Sign-up for MC'NY Poets' Café begins (Ronay Menschel Hall on Ground Floor) 
7:00 pm - MC’NY Poets' Café begins (Ground Floor)
8:30 pm - "Thriller" drag performance by Purssophonie (Rotunda)
9:00 pm - Costume contest begins (Rotunda). The winner will receive a MCNY Family Membership and a swag bag of goodies from our gift shop!
10:00 pm - Museum closes

About DJ Misbehaviour and Purssophonie:
Born in London now based in NYC, Misbehaviour has been rocking parties across the Globe since 1989 and makes seasonal appearances at Afro Punk Festival, New York Summer Stage, Art Basel Miami and many more. 
Hailing from Astoria, Queens is Purssophonie (the PURSE is SO PHONY). She’s the kindest show stopping diva with a point of view. Her performances are a reflection of the culture she grew up around with some added wit and charisma. This queen is sure to have your jaw on the floor with her unique narrative and uncontrollable twirls.
Dance party hosted by Rebecca Lynn.

About the MC'NY Poets' Café and Shanelle Gabriel:
Bring your poems, songs, or whatever way you express yourself to the open mic at our monthly MC'NY Poets' Café hosted by Shanelle Gabriel -- first time performers welcome!  Shanelle Gabriel is a poet, singer, and lupus warrior from Brooklyn, NY who has performed internationally including Africa and Europe. Widely known for featuring on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, she has shared the stage with artists such as Jill Scott, Nas, Nikki Giovanni, and more. She was listed as one of Blavity.com's "Artist Activists You Should Know" and one of "8 Millennial Feminist Poets That Deserve Recognition" by BET.com. Shanelle is also a health activist who has featured on the Lifetime Network about her continued battle with lupus. Presently, she is working on her third album while serving as the Interim Executive Director at Urban Word NYC, a youth organization that uses poetry & hip-hop to promote literacy and youth voice. shanellegabriel.com

About Teatro SEA:
Established in 1985, SEA (Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.) is the premiere Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children’s Theatre in the United States. SEA has created and produced a combination of educational theatre productions and art workshops/programs specifically designed to examine, challenge and create possible solutions for current educational, social and community issues. Its internationally celebrated programs include school, outdoor, community and main stage performances, and workshops and residencies, reaching over 75,000 children and young adults every year. Established by Dr. Manuel A. Morán, Teatro SEA has offices in San Juan, Florida, and New York, with a performance space at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Event Logistics (subject to change based on NYC regulations)

• In the event of inclement weather, the DJ and dance floor will move indoors. 
• Proof of vaccination is required for entry (everyone over the age of 12), so please plan ahead! Excelsior Pass is accepted for those vaccinated in NYS. 
• Masks will be required both indoors and outdoors.
• For more information about the Museum’s COVID Guidelines, please check our "Plan Your Visit" page.
• Please contact programs@mcny.org with any questions or ticketing issues.