Third Thursdays

Whether you're stepping foot on campus for the first time, celebrating your last September at college, or simply love the back to school energy in the city—get into the swing of things at the Gardner. With art-making, live music in the Courtyard, and the chance of a lifetime to leave your mark at an open-mic on the Gardner Museum stage—you and your friends (from college and beyond) won’t want to miss this back-to-school night.

Program for the Evening

A Melody of Live Music | 5:30–8:45 PM | Courtyard

From classical to live jazz, all music can give you life! Stop by the Courtyard to get an earful from the Colleges of the Fenway Jazz Band from 5:30–7 PM, and a duo performance from COF Conductor, Kathleen Berger, from 7:15–8:45 PM. 

Art-Making | 5:30–8:45 PM | Bertucci Education Studio

Introduction to Embroidery with Lauren Tyger (Wentworth Institute of Technology) | 5:30–7 PM
Seeing embroidery all over everything lately? Now is your chance to learn the basics of hand embroidery in this 1-hour, hands-on workshop by Lauren of Stitch Shop by Tyger. Going with the night's theme, embroidery can be a great way to "turn up" articles of clothing in your closet and breathe new life into them with some funky stitches. No prior embroidery experience or sewing knowledge necessary!

Introduction to Loom Weaving with Brendan Kenny (MassArt) | 7:15–8:30 PM
Add charm to any space by creating a tiny tapestry! Participants will work with a variety of yarns to create one small piece using basic weaving techniques. No experience is necessary!

Intro to Ceramics | 6:45–7:45 PM | Greenhouse

Ready to get your hands dirty and create something unique? This interactive workshop will teach participants how to use coil hand building techniques to create small, functional pots and vessels out of clay. MassArt instructor Callie Mastrianni will fire your items following the event and make them available for pickup at MassArt. No prior experience is necessary!

Movement Workshops | 6–8:45 PM | Calderwood Hall

Every body has the ability to move. Join in on the fun with four movement workshops to choose from—Jazz, Afro-Jazz, Contemporary, and Improvisation—with local instructors Kara Fili and Kristen Young from Colleges of the Fenway.

No previous experience necessary! All levels and experience welcome.

Kara Fili—Jazz | 6–6:30 PM
This upbeat class will warm us up with isolated movements, traveling through space and shape-making with our bodies, movement patterns, and formations. Drawing from early forms of jazz dance through Broadway jazz, this will be a fun, social experience where all are welcome.

Kara Fili—Afro Jazz | 6:45–7:15 PM
Rhythmic, grounded, and undulating movements will drive this high-energy class based in dance forms of West Africa and American jazz. We will move through a full-body warm-up, practice steps across the floor, and learn a short combination movement.

Kristen Young—Contemporary | 7:30–8 PM
This technique class will explore the body's relationship between inner and outer space. We will begin with a somatic exploration and progress to learning an expansive phrase that moves across the floor. Breath, alignment, and efficiency of movement will also be considered.

Kristen Young—Improvisation | 8:15–8:45 PM
Movement improvisation is the act of spontaneous movement generation. Using concepts from Laban Movement Analysis, participants will engage in individual and group explorations that are meant to heighten awareness and encourage new movement possibilities.

Open Mic Night | 6:30–8:30 PM | Living Room

Sign up to share your amazing talent with Third Thursday-goers, or sit back and enjoy electrifying performances from Emmanuel College's all-female a cappella group, For Good Measure, at 6:30 and 7:45 PM. Get there early before someone claims your seat!

Tickets are required and include Museum admission.

Adults $15, seniors $12, students $10, free for members and children 17 and under.

• Online, by clicking the TICKETS button above*
• By calling the box office at 617 278 5156, Wednesday-Monday, 10 am-4 pm*
• In person: Visit the Museum and purchase at the door, Wednesday-Monday, 11 am-4:30 pm

*Handling charges apply to these orders

Partnering with Colleges of the Fenway

If you're a student at Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Simmons University, or Wentworth Institute of Technology you get in for free—on this night, or any night! Simply show your student ID at the Admission Desk.