The Idaho State Museum opened its doors after hours this winter for the debut of a new adults-only event series, Museum After Dark. The first installment, “Get Folk’d Up,” offered a playful nod to Idaho’s folk art, music, and larger-than-life legends.
In partnership with Arts Idaho, the evening invited guests to move through the museum in a way that felt more festival than field trip. Visitors tried their hand at leatherworking, listened to live folk music and storytelling, and wandered through permanent exhibits — including the always-intriguing Deja-Moo, Idaho’s two-headed calf. With cocktail or mocktail in hand, guests deciphered scent-based word puzzles, searched for hints of Bigfoot, and scanned historic photographs for a glimpse of Sharlie, the fabled Payette Lake Monster.
Black Moon Pastries & Pizza and Anesso provided bites throughout the night, while Hillfolk Noir closed the evening with a live performance that brought the galleries to life.
Museum After Dark continues May 29 with “Taps & Traps,” followed later this year by “RevolutionALE” and “Whiskey & Wagons.” Tickets are available at history.idaho.gov.