Thursday Night Thing – Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Huge disappointment. Tiny Museum. Terrible Staff

Thursday Night Thing was cool, even got to meet Cheech Marin and check out his Chicanitas exhibit.

I attended this event for the first time on Thursday, March 14, 2013.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as we arrived fairly late. The inside bar was closing as we checked in and got our 21+ wristbands.
We mingled around one portion of the gallery before heading outside and across the street towards the Trolley Depot to get a drink. There was an area fenced off and as soon as you passed security, the bar was immediately to your left. No lines… walked straight to the front and ordered a couple drinks.
There was a small stage across from the bar area and a decent band was playing. I’m sure they had a couple other bands performing throughout the night. The crowd (consisting of couples & singletons 20−45-ish) seemed to enjoy them. There were a lot of people wearing their MEMBER stickers & it was nice to see all these different people who consistently support the arts.
We finished our drinks and headed back to the gallery. We were fortunate enough to see the artist who’s work was being showcased in a separate area. The theme of the art was kinda «south of the border» inspired.
It was a very chill evening and I would love to attend another TNT event in the coming months.

Does not compare to MOCA or MOMA, but you should stop by and check it out.

This has been one of my favorite activity in San Diego for over 5 years. Its a great way to mingle– but also a great date idea!

This review is for the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Alt. pictureshows event held on 9÷9÷10. I suppose this is part of the Thursday Night Thing series.
The Alt. pictureshows exhibition was spread through three buildings: two that are part of the museum –and across the street from each other– and a third one, the newly opened SDSU’s Gallery, on West Broadway (a block away).
The short films or «picture shows» were [all] interesting pieces.
My favorites: «St. Jacques», «Pumzi», «Charlie and the Rabbit», «Little Accident», «Splice», and «Elevated».
I was disappointed to miss the DJ. My friend and I inquired about it –several times– and not one soul (with a Museum batch) seemed to know. The DJ performed between 7−8PM while we were in the middle of watching film in an upstairs room of the MCASD.
This was my first time exploring the museum at the Downtown location. Thanks to KPBS, our local NPR station, for passing on the tip and to my friend Saeed for bringing me along.

Back in the day TNT used to be free and monthly, but it is now quarterly and admission is $ 10 general and $ 7 for students. Despite the changes, it was wonderful to see SO many people [both young and old] lined up in advance just to attend TNT earlier this month. Having Shepard Fairey, Banksy, Blu, among many other amazing urban artists for the latest exhibit, «Viva la Revolucion: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape», is definitely a great way to draw crowds that would normally would not set foot near a museum. With live music, interactive exhibits and the MIHO Gastrotruck parked right in front, what more could you ask for?

nice way to get out to museums and meet other appreciators

Thursday night thing is a great event to go to if you’re in the mood for a chill atmosphere with some nice live music outdoors, and some drinks. I’ve been here a couple times and have never been blown away by my experience here but I’ve always had a really nice time. It’s a great place to come with a group of friends, a significant other, and also a great place to take someone you’re interested in getting to know better without the pressure of emptying your wallet. I’d rate it somewhere between 3 – 4 stars, but I rounded up. I like strolling through the museum (though this doesn’t typically take up too much time) and enjoying fresh air while listening to some live tunes. If that’s your type of scene, then you’ll like it. It’s not really too much more or less than that. The activities, exhibits, and musical acts are always different but I believe that regardless of what is presented, this event is one that is truly made enjoyable by great company.
Make sure you’re 21+ and you have an ID with you.

Loved the ECO-​Fashion show! The designers did an amazing job. It kind of remided my of project runway episode. As a lover of all things eco-​conscious, I definately give this two thumbs up!

Last night was the Eco-​Chic Fashion Show, I enjoyed it and fun to see the ladies and gents wear recycled materials, organic bamboo fabric, thrift store clothing and accessories (interesting outfits). TNT at MCASD is always a fun night, bands playing, cool people and if you like arts & crafts a table is set just for you; Trash-​to-​Treasure Craft (next time I will make earings from the bottle caps).
One thing though, the models walked too fast on the runway, it was free that’s why!

I have a couple of different groups of friends:
There’s the «let’s get trashed in PB/​Sandbar and pull some college frat boy off our drunk friend» friends
There’s the «let’s get on the guest list and pay massive amounts of money for drinks or flirt with downtown boys for drinks» friends
and then there’s the «let’s commune with the art community while trying to save the world from global warming» friends.
As you can tell, I’m an onion of a personality; I have layers :)
TNT is definitely for my «art» friends. Such a different crowd from the usual PB or downtown people, but I totally enjoy it. I like meeting new people, checking out new art, listening to new music and best of all, I LOVE the craft projects. The crayons and newspaper folding and construction paper totally cater to the 5-​year-​old in me. Just last month, I made a recycled pot and planted cilantro and now I have my very own little pot of cilantro growing in my windowsill! If any of this sounds good to you too, I would encourage you to check it out one month. It doesn’t cost you a thing.
Some of the gallery art is hit or miss, but that’s the nature of art in general. It’s hard when they’re in between installations because there’s less to see. But at least it gets you off the couch for an hour and that’s something…

«What happened to you, TNT? You USED to be cool!»
Seriously, though, I went to the June event and it was back to its normal, healthy weight after dieting for so long in the winter.
The exhibits can be hit or miss (two hits, one miss for me this time), but let’s face it, you go for the crowds, the cheap drinks, and the music. The bands and/​or DJ’s are always great and usually local (I’ve seen exhibits and bands from TJ, por ejemplo).
Only reason it lost a star this time is that they’ve really cracked down on how many people can be in a room. It was odd– security folks were literally stopping us at each room, taking a headcount, then (maybe) letting us in. That’s the first time I’d seen that, and I really cannot figure out why, since as a modern art museum, it has copious amounts of room. Maybe some power-​mad fire chief or drunken kid who knocked over an exhibit visited and ruined it for the rest of us.

When this first started (a few years ago), the event was full momentum. There were DJs, live bands, fashion shows, great exhibits, and a lot of brouhaha. The past few times, however, have been quite short of the hullaballo it generated in its earlier heyday.
The art exhibits have been. well…meh. The bands. ummm…OK. The fashion shows.well.I haven’t seen one in quite a while. I’m sad and a little disappointed, but, but, but I keep an open mind. Winter has a habit of sending events into a hibernated state, and with summer approaching, I have hope this event will restore itself to its former vigor.
Come on little TNT, you can do it!!!
:D

Such a fun place to go every month! It’s a pretty chill crowd and you get to listen to cool bands and, of course, look at the exhibits!
I love going with my friends and just hanging out. It’s a different scene than the bars or clubs.

Pretty nice. been goin on for years now. haven’t been in awhile though.
I especially like it when it’s outdoors and the music is goin off… i had the chance to get a buncha bboys/​girls out here on a few occasions to get down here.
Many different things goin on on these nights… bands, dj’s, fashion shows are bomb…, of course the art.
I should be spinning a set at the next upcoming TNT Thursday March 6^th, w/​an «urbanism» theme. so roll out and enjoy.

I invited my roommate to go to TNT and he refused on the grounds that it would be too «bougie». I think it’s time to set the record straight. Just because art, music, and cocktails are involved does not necessarily indicate that all the people in attendance stand around with their noses in the air, evaluating the art using phrases like, «layers of meaning» or «visual perception». I heard plenty of «that was rad» and «I don’t get it» too. All I’m trying to say is that TNT is the perfect opportunity for anybody to come out and experience art.
That being said, the last time I went I didn’t realize that they close the galleries at ten, so I didn’t actually get to experience the art. That’s where the music and cocktails come in.
Each month is a different theme according to the exhibits that are being displayed. There is always a new activity each month. I’ve seen dance performances, graffiti art, photo ops. You get the idea. The live music is usually pretty good. Last time was Paddle Boat and The Vision of a Dying World, two of my favorite San Diego bands.
All in all, it’s completely worth checking out. Sure, there are some bougie people. But as I said before, there’s a balance. Are you really going to let some high horse yuppies dissuade you?

TNT stands for Thursday Night Thing down and it’s cool it takes place in MOCA downtown.
I really like going to this every once in a while. There are the crankies out there that think it’s for scene-​sters. Whatever they should take a chill pill and get a drink and relax a bit. I do think it’s worthy of your attention if you like to shake it up once in a while.
I’ve seen some cool exhibits, let me entice you.
One was the man made sail boat out of office folders. It floated he took it into the water here in San Diego.
He had a petrified piece of dung called «Officer’s log» and it had wires running to it where you could pick it up and listen to his audio tour of his trials and tribulations in the excursions to the sea.
Another one had a band playing live where they sampled music and played back portions while singing to it.
What you should expect, dress comfy so you can walk around. Bring cash so you can buy a drink, invite friends so you can talk about the exhibits and what they mean to you. Listen to the music, there’s always something cool with either a live band or some iPod fiend DJ.
I like going but I don’t go every single time because the exhibit doesn’t change each month.
I hated the night they had poets reading their stuff because well, I hate listening to poetry and the people it attracts. But people say «but you’re a writerrrrrrrrrrr!» So what, I am, doesn’t mean I want to listen to poetry.
Nuff said.

When I lived in SD these little weekly parties were the perfect, It’s almost Friday celebration for me!
So on Thursday nights during the summer and spring I think, they have an outdoor party with specialty drinks sponsored by a liquor company (ie. cheap), DJ, or band playing, local artists are showcased outside of the museum and the museum is open for free almost (small donation suggested at the door).
Crowd: super hip, kinda like a really pretty version of what you see here in SF. (not that SF people aren’t beautiful, but girls in SD primp more, at least as far as I can tell, being one of them after some time!) With more makeup and Chanel bags. A hipster meets beach girl vibe. I love it. It’s a great change from the drunkie beach girls, or the I really wish I were in Vegas girls hanging out downtown. People here are relaxed, stylish and out to have a good time. No judgments.
So if you are at all interested in art, but can’t find that no excuse reason to go to the Museum, this is the deciding factor.
Be nice to the bartenders, they will remember you.