It’s time to hit ‘rewind’ – the National Museum of Australia is opening its doors for a night of 90s nostalgia
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It’s time to reach for your old acid-wash jeans and dig out your hair crimper because the 90s are back baby.
If you were born before 1995, proudly know all of the lyrics to “Bye Bye Bye” and owned a Tamagotchi (RIP tiny digital friends) this is probably the event for you.
Opening its door after dark, the National Museum of Australia (NMA) is hitting rewind for an adult-only event that will transport you back to the iconic decade that brought us butterfly clips and Britney Spears.
Night at the Museum: Play on Friday 30 August invites 18+ attendees to let loose and have some fun with a jam-packed program featuring skate stunts, a pop-up arcade and more.
Headlined by a 50-minute set from DJ Tigerlily (who has just returned to Australia from her world tour), you’ll be able to bust a move on the d-floor or sit back as people battle it out for the top title.
And – of course – it’s not a 90s throwback without a graffiti workshop, playing Dance Dance Revolution, or getting a (glitter) tattoo on your lower back.
According to event organiser Penny Vaile, Night at the Museum: Play is all about letting adults have some fun.
“Night at the Museum has always been a program about giving adults permission to play and to engage with collections and exhibitions in a light-hearted way,” she says.
“Play is something that is common to everyone and allows for a wide scope of interpretation. A lot of Australian culture and identity is based in play and sport, so we’re using this program to explore and celebrate Australia’s ongoing love of play and competition.”
Whether you’re a fan of BMX, winning a boss fight on the Atari, shooting hoops with future ‘giants’ of the NBA (the rumour is the basketball players coming in actually are seven feet tall), or want to get your groove on to a mega-mix of hits from the 90s, there’s something for you.
“People should also keep an eye out for the halfpipe ‘wave’ in the Museum’s Gandel Atrium. I won’t give too much away now, except to say, ‘surf’s up dudes!’” says Penny.
Other activities on the evening include a DJ set by Aria, body paint demos, LED ‘fire’ twirling and breaking performances and workshops. But Penny says Night of the Museum: Play isn’t just about a sense of 90s nostalgia and having fun but shows how the Museum is a “living institution”.
“We always hope that people have a great time with our Night at the Museum events,” she says.
“But we also want people to come away with a sense of the Museum as a place for all stories where everyone feels welcome.”
Keep an eye on the NMA website, because there’s still a full program to come.
Will we be missing out on this event? Ugh, as if!
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Night of the Museum: Play
When: Friday 30 August, 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent,
Tickets + more information: nma.gov.au
Feature image supplied.
