Peabody Essex Museum Announces PEM/PM Schedule for 2015

The popular Third Thursday party series returns.

PEM PM party

© 2014 Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Kathy Tarantola.

New year, new lineups. From First Fridays to Third Thursdays, there are plenty of studios and museums in the area that celebrate the arts each month with special programming designed to inspire and entertain.

One of these series is the Peabody Essex Museum’s PEM/PM party series, which takes place every third Thursday of the month. The museum announced the 2015 lineup this week, and well, there are some pretty fun evenings coming up, from an ’80s night to a pop-up film festival.

In February, visitors can check out “I’m a Lumberjack” night, and in July, the museum hosts an “Anti-Boredom” party, where guests can make their own ice cream, play Quidditch, and make tie dye-inspired art.

“For 2015, our goal is to engage the region’s thriving art and culture scene as much as we can,” said programming coordinator Doneeca Thurston in a press release. “Whether it’s working with Salem Theatre to create a living tableau, bringing in the area’s best bartenders and mixologists, or partnering with Go Out Loud to celebrate the North Shore’s LGBT community, PEM/PM will continue to delight and surprise in the year ahead.”

Below, check out the full lineup for 2015.

The first PEM/PM event is Thursday, January 15. All events are 6-9 p.m., $10 for nonmembers. For details, visit pem.org.

January 15: Art, Off the Wall
Salem Theatre Company will be tableaux vivants (living pictures), and an oracle will be on hand to help answer questions in the galleries.

February 19: I’m a Lumberjack
Celebrate the art of trees and branching out. See the works of a chainsaw artist, sample cider from local company Far from the Tree, and take part in a felt-art installation.

March 19: Artopia
Spend the evening with representatives from the Salem Arts Festival and Creative Salem.

April 16: Strike a Pose: Art and the ’80s
Celebrate the ’80s with PEM and Go Out Loud.

May 21: Run & Play
This PEM/PM party is all about fitness. Play foursquare or kickball, build your own fort, or join Salem’s Wicked Running Club for its weekly No Rest for the Wicked 5K.

June 18: Culture Shock
Learn salsa or Bollywood-inspired dance, sample international cuisine, listen to reggae and soca (calypso) music, and more.

July 16: Anti-Boredom
Make ice cream with nitrogen, play Quidditch or disc golf, or make tie dye-inspired art to help PEM break a Guinness World Record.

August 20: Silver Screen
An international pop-up film festival will include screenings of animated shorts, 1930s classics, and more. Gourmet popcorn included, yum.

September 17: Strandbeest
Celebrate the arrival of Theo Jansen’s kinetic Strandbeest sculptures. Learn all about the construction, see them in action, and even help create a new one.

October 15: Off the Scale
Goldilocks couldn’t handle this party about all things too big and too small, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, alternate universes, and Tiny Houses.

November 19: What’s Your Type?
PEM/PM teams up with Dribble for an evening of typography-themed fun.

December 17: Wassail!
This midwinter feast will have festive beverages, music, and dance.