Known for its taxidermy and kid-friendly atmosphere, the Canadian Museum of Nature will transform into an adult-oriented oasis with Nature Nocturne, beginning Friday, Jan 25.

DJ T-Dot will commandeer the museum’s glass tower to entertain nocturnal partiers as they sip drinks, nibble on food-truck-style eats or interact with art installations.

“We’re taking the museum you know during the day and twisting it into a fun, comfortable, social environment for adults,” organizer Cynthia Iburg says.

Artists appearing at the debut event include projection junkies The Luminartists; Heart Beat Girl, who will encourage attendees to contribute to a collective work of art; and fibre artist Greta Grip, displaying functioning, knitted QR codes.

Classical guitarist Chris Milne will pick up the party in the mammal gallery, while over in the ballroom, three members of the museum’s botany team will regale with tales of their Arctic expeditions.

"[The botany team will] . . . set up their field equipment in the ballroom,” Iburg says. “They will talk to people over drinks about what it’s really like to be a research scientist on the rapids in the Arctic and explore paths that are virtually unknown. This is something Ottawa has never seen.”

Nature Nocturne

Fri, Jan 25

8pm-midnight

240 McLeod St

$20

Visit the Canadian Museum of Nature’s site for future dates