Oklahoma City Museum of Art opens its doors New Year’s Eve as it raises a toast to the past year and welcomes the next one.
On Dec. 31, the museum (OKCMOA), 415 Couch Drive, offers gallery admission, hands-on family art projects, a film screening and a special dinner hosted by Museum Cafe, a champagne toast and a visit to the museum rooftop terrace to watch Opening Night fireworks.
The night’s highlight is Museum Cafe’s special five-course New Year’s Eve dinner. At $83.14 per person, reservations fill up fast, said OKCMOA marketing and communications director Becky Weintz.
The dinner event is 5 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31. Seatings are available at 45-minute intervals from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 405-235-6262.
“We offer three different seating times so we can accommodate as many people as possible,” Weintz said.
Weintz previews the cafe menu with items like stuffed grilled calamari, salad with mussels, seared sea bass, steak and vegetarian items.
“We’re offering different entrée choices for those who don’t eat meat, including dishes like butternut squash ravioli,” Weintz said. “There will be something for everyone and every diet.”
Save room for dessert featuring festive Napoleons paired with champagne. At 9 p.m., The Music Makers entertain guests with a live jazz performance.
“The roof has got to be one of the best places to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks,” Weintz said. The fireworks are part of Arts Council Oklahoma City’s annual Opening Night gala, which spans downtown. “Guests get to start 2017 on top of an art museum with live music and a glass of champagne. It doesn’t get much classier than that.”
Sometimes, watching the city crowds from above beats joining them on the street below.
“I attended the rooftop event five years ago; it was such a great time with my friends,” Weintz said.
Bringing art to as many people as possible remains the museum’s mission, especially during the holidays. It’s part of Arts Council Oklahoma City’s annual Opening Night celebration, in which tens of thousands of guests visit related parties and events spanning downtown.
Weintz said museum gallery admission is free for guests wearing Opening Night admission wristbands.
Visit okcmoa.com for museum information and artscouncilokc.com for Opening Night details.
Print Headline: Art of the meal, OKCMOA festivities feature gallery access, family fun and a special, grownups-only five-course meal followed by a view of Opening Night fireworks atop the museum.
