Celebrate the 1930s in style with this annual kick-off-to-summer bash May 20.

 The High Desert Museum will be open after hours on Friday, May 20, kicking off summer in style… 1930’s style… with its annual Open ‘Til Dark event. The program will feature  big band jazz music, swing dance lessons and tastings of spirits from 6- 9pm. Open ‘Til Dark is in conjunction with the Museum’s Art for a Nation: Inspiration from the Great Depression exhibit.

“Though the 1930s were some tough times, people still wanted to have a good time and socialize,” said Erica Pelley, associate curator of education. “Jazz and big band music and dancing were just some of the ways Americans uplifted their spirits.”

One of the lesser-known arms of the Works Progress Administration or WPA was the Federal Project Number One which employed artists, playwrights, musicians, composers and poets to create works of art. More than 40,000 people were hired and their artistic creations also helped lift the spirit of a nation. Art for a Nation: Inspiration from the Great Depression explores this unique art program and the artwork, theatrical performances, musical and literary works of art produced during this time.

The Museum will celebrate this unique program with the boogie-woogie sounds of the Big Band Jazz Group and swing dance instructions by Dance Central. So join the Museum for this annual kickoff of summer with Open ‘Til Dark. Cost for admission is $3 for members and $7 for non-members. There will be a no-host bar and tastings by Oregon Spirit Distillers.

For additional information, call Ann Arbow at 541-382-4754 ext. 241 or RSVP at www.highdesertmuseum.org/rsvp.