Matthew Worden

Art and dancing collide at Hirshhorn After Hours.

Hirshhorn After Hours

Some might not think of a museum as a site for a happening party. But then, you probably haven’t been to Hirshhorn After Hours.

 Attendees drifted from the dance floor to the galleries to the long lines at the bars as music and carefree conversations carried the night through to its last partygoers at (or maybe a bit after) midnight.

 But, true to its art-loving core, the galleries were packed until well after their 10 p.m. closing time with eager art aficionados taking in the sights of Yves Klein’s wide array of works, Chris Chong Chan Fui’s Black Box (we couldn’t even get in the doorway of this one, which ends Aug. 1) or the permanent exhibits at the Smithsonian      museum.

 The only thing that may have distracted dedicated art lovers? That’d be the drag queens—superstar Summer Camp and cohorts Karl Marks, Brandon Joseph Neukam and Sunrize Highway—serving as the crowd’s entertainment with platinum-blonde wigs, slightly risqué garb and um, even more risqué (and hilarious) dance moves.

 We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next one, happening Oct. 29.

 But until then, Hirshhorn’s got you covered—the Yves Klein exhibit, called "Yves Klein: With the Void, Full Powers," which showcases a collection of close to 200 of the French artists’ artists pieces, runs through Sept. 12. Don't miss the special gallery talk Sept. 9 with art historian Kaira Cabanas. We like any artist that paints with fire (seriously). His iconic blue holds viewers captivated from the get-go, but the idea of dipping live sponges in the stuff? Now that’s pretty cool. Hirshhorn completes the retrospective of the artist with real-life videos of Klein producing his works (flames, painted bodies and levitating are all included). Find out more here.

[Img credit: Courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum]