ROM Friday Night Live kicks off an eventful
Season 9 with #ROMInk on April 29, 2016

TORONTO, April 26, 2016—Friday Night Live (FNL), presented by Ford of Canada, returns to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for its 9^th season. FNL runs every Friday from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm beginning April 29 until the June 24 finale, launching Toronto’s PRIDE Week. The return of Toronto’s hottest adult-only social event (19+) features a fresh line up of DJs, fantastic food vendors, and themes including Tattoos, CHIHULY, and Pride Toronto. Food vendors include Delight Bite, Come and Get It, H-Bar, Steambox Dumplings, Fidel Gastro’s, Me.n.u, Curbside Bliss, and Gushi Foods.

April 29: #ROMInk 
For one night only, guests enjoy complimentary admission to Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. The ROM’s galleries will be animated with Filipino dance group HATAW, temporary tattooing, and ROM collection items from “Out of the Vaults” inspired by Tattoos. Toronto Casting Director Julie Fitzsimmons of "Jules Casting" and Creator of Cancer campaign "Why We Ink" will share stories of those inked for cancer. Live performances include The New Electric, Ben Stevenson and Brendan Philip in addition to DJ sets by Brains 4 Breakfast, Simon Jain, and Miss Fluffy Soufflé.

May 6: Punchline
Celebrate the rich history of editorial cartoons with Point & Punch: Historical Editorial Cartoons of J.W. Bengough (1851-1923) and Sam Hunter (1858-1939). Popular works by the Association of Canadian Cartoonists will be projected throughout the ROM, and caricature artists will illustrate FNL guests.  Musical entertainment includes BLAJK, Billy Moon, Ben Gunning and DJs Jon Chetty, Sean Caff, and FNL alumni Jason Palma.

     Pre – FNL event (6:00 pm – 7:00pm): Drawing the line: Conversations on Press Freedoms, free with online RSVP.

May 13: DinoNite
Dinosaurs get into the FNL spirit! Experience the ROM’s popular Tyrannosaurus rex brought to life with augmented reality (#ROMtrex). Travel the world and unearth the origins of famous fossilized creatures. Musical performances will include Rambunctious, Language Arts, Reynolds Creek, and DJs Lucie Tic and Intrinity Spins will get the party started with fresh beats.

May 20: Fashion
Enjoy the stunning ¡Viva México! Clothing and Culture exhibition, presented by Mexican Tourism Board, before it closes on May 23. Learn a traditional weaving technique to create your own bracelet and show off your style while taking in performances by A Pigeon, Sophie Jones, DJ Wayuu, the soulful sounds of Azure Jazz, and traditional Mexican music.  

May 27: Asia Forever
Meet Dr. Asato Ikeda, the ROM’s 2014 – 2016 Bishop White Postdoctoral Fellow of Japanese Art and Culture, while exploring concepts of gender and sexuality through A Third Gender: Beautiful Youths in Japanese Prints, a thought-provoking exhibition that tells a pivotal story of human sexuality during Japan’s Edo period (1603 – 1868). Meet traditional Japanese tattoo artists as they sketch in the galleries. Plaitwrights, a raw and upbeat Toronto duo, offers an eclectic performance that pushes the boundaries of musical style and genre. Other musical guests include DJ Mensa, Violets and Viruses, and DJ Ben Chin.

     Pre – FNL event (6:00 pm – 7:00pm): Film Screening: Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai, free with online RSVP.

June 3: Indigenous Now
Innovative sounds by Classic Roots, brainchild of the talented Joshua Deperry, set the tone for the evening, with additional performances by DJ Jon Deck and DJ Fawn Big Canoe. Gallery activations will feature artists, creators, and producers reflecting Indigenous identity, in collaboration with ANDPVA, Canada’s oldest Indigenous arts service organization.

June 10: Beatz
Explore the many journeys that music and sounds take you on through art, culture, and nature, with a diverse selection of performances across the Museum. 416Beats, Canada’s premiere drumline, will light things up while Course of Time presents a medley of modern dance music. Other musical guests include Divine Brown, Andrea Godin, and 80 Empire.

June 17: Make This
Celebrate the ingenuity that drives creativity! In partnership with Toronto’s Maker Festival, multi-disciplinary artist and puppet mechanic Andrew Lamb will entertain guests with larger-than-life puppetry. Unforgettable musical entertainment by Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute Band, Sweet Touch DJs, Mel Monaco, and DJ Makem.

June 24: Colour ROM Proud
The colourful finale of FNL, presented in partnership with Pride Toronto, is the official launch party for PRIDE Week. Artistic performances range from the Toronto’s Gay Men’s Chorus to ILL NANA/DiverseCity Dance Company, and other notable musical guests include DJ Craig Dominic and hip-hop artist Tony Banks. Plus, for one night only, guests enjoy advance access to the new CHIHULY exhibition, which features astonishingly colourful and dramatic works of art.

     Pre – FNL event (6:00 pm – 7:00pm): Generations of Canadian Glass, free with online RSVP.  

ROM FNL Tickets
Advance tickets are available online and at the door. FNL General Admission is $15, $13 for students, and $5 for ROM Members. For guaranteed entry, purchase tickets in advance at www.rom.on.ca/fridays.

Media Contact
Jesika Arseneau, Publicist      
416.586.5581
jesikaa@rom.on.ca

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Special thanks to #FNLROM partners