Paris comes to Sacramento for one 'twisted' night at the Crocker
In honor of the Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and La Vie Moderne exhibition opening Feb. 1, the Crocker Art Museum is holding its first-ever Twisted Sacratomato Salon on Feb. 5.
Inspired by lively Parisian salons where avant-garde artists—including Toulouse-Lautrec, Sarah Bernhardt and Paul Verlaine (all of whose work will be featured at the new exhibit)—would gather at the turn of the century, the event will add a 21st-century spin with parlor games, pub trivia, cocktails and improv comedy.
“Sacratomato,” the capital city’s nickname from its time as a hotbed of tomato production, adds to the heritage of silliness and fun that the night calls for.
“Our event is ‘twisted’ because, like the artist salon, it brings together different comedy people and art people,” says Erin Dorn, head of education programs at the Crocker. “It’s also this idea of interesting, fun people getting together to have a fun evening, and that’s what Toulouse-Lautrec would do with his friends.”
While many of the evening’s activities will reflect a modern adaptation to the artistic scene that Toulouse-Lautrec embodied, even the most casual culturegoer will find a mix of activities to enjoy around the museum. To kick off the night—which goes from 6-9 p.m. and costs $10 per adult (admission is free for museum members)—guests can unwind with drinks and a mix of games such as Cards Against Humanity, or the old French surrealist game Exquisite Corpse—a collaborative activity allowing multiple participants to continue off of each other’s sketches.
Other highlights include a guided tour of the exhibition and a Toulouse-Lautrec-themed improv show by Sacramento Comedy Spot's Anti-Cooperation League.
Part of the La Vie Moderne exhibition, the Crocker’s Weborg Gallery will offer an interactive space for the museum’s very own Moulin Rouge—the iconic, raucous Parisian music hall best known for modernizing the can-can dance. Unfinished prints of Toulouse-Lautrec’s work are to be continued by amateur sketchers at the cafe tables to mimic his reserved sketching area at the famous cabaret. Silent black-and-white films projected onto a stage will also offer attendees an opportunity to watch or perform, after getting dolled up backstage in the cabaret-inspired dressing room.
Other exhibition-related events in February include a special performance by the San Francisco Munich Trio on Feb. 8; a family-friendly, exhibition-inspired puppet show by The Shadow Puppet Workshop on Feb. 10; a screening of the original, Oscar-winning 1952 film version of Moulin Rouge on Feb. 22; and a Cajun music concert featuring Tom Rigney & Flambeau on Feb. 26.
Crocker Art Museum. 216 O St. 808-7000. crockerartmuseum.org
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