When one thinks of the Royal Ontario Museum, an image of educational outings may immediately spring to mind.  After all, it’s easy enough to associate the dinosaurs, historic artwork and sculptures with the nostalgia of field trips. However, ROM Friday Night Live aims to officially make a night at the museum cool- by letting the wine flow and adding in a dance floor for good measure.

Recently, Real Style had the chance to attend ROM Friday Night for Fashion Friday, otherwise known as #FNLROM: Fashion. The evening featured entertainment like Mohawk singer-songwriter Cheri Maracle, DJs Mista Jiggz and Gimmemar and classical music from University of Toronto’s Jazz Music Program.

Meanwhile, a themed twist on usual Friday Night programming involved a lineup of fashion exhibits. The White Cashmere Collection 2017, which had held its annual runway show in the museum the day before, was on display. The intricate bathroom tissue evening gowns shared the stage with the Canadian premiere of ESTO Style – Northern Spirit, which celebrated Estonian fashion and design. Paying tribute to the wearable art of this Northern European country, the Nordic art included garments by designer Roberta Einer and baubles by Tanel Veenre Jewellery.

For guests who simply had to bring art home with them, a fashion illustrator was also on site. Toronto-based live sketch artist Stephanie Anne McKay fielded a queue of eager visitors, as she painstakingly drew watercolour portraits.

It’s clear that ROM strives to please, with various stations to satisfy everyone from the culture vulture to the party animal. Foodies were hardly excluded from the festivities, with multicultural food trucks and stations set up throughout the venue. Pars Kebab doled out seasoned Persian meat, while My Crème Caramel and Ice Volcano Ice Cream offered dessert fixes.

A glance around the museum revealed that half of the guests were drinking and dancing, while a more studious second half was wandering amongst the exhibits. But what of the social butterfly who is also secretly an academic at heart? This was no high school party, with the nerds huddled on one side, and the popular kids holding court on the other. Instead, it was a mix of both worlds, with art lovers and gourmets clinking glasses, and everyone joining in for a veritable night out. Will we be returning this season for another evening at the ROM? Absolutely,- but we are hoping that the food portions are a bit larger, the lines slightly shorter and the dance floor just a bit more popping. 

Photo: Real Style