We’re kicking off our new season of Target First Saturday next week. We have been working on an exciting lineup of programs for months, and can’t wait to get started. Before we begin, we wanted to bring everyone up to speed on some changes.
If you’ve been to one of these monthly events, you know that we’ve been seeing more attendance than ever at First Saturday. You, the visitors, have really brought this event to life, making it such a vibrant part of Brooklyn, and that’s been amazing to see. We have to acknowledge, however, while the attendance is growing, our building is staying the same size, and we’ve run into some challenges with capacity crowds and traffic flow throughout the building.
What does that mean for the event? Well, essentially it means that we are going to put the dance party on hiatus for the time being. This was not a decision we made lightly. We had a lot of discussion with staff and community members to get additional input. Since we made the decision, we’ve seen visitor feedback come in on both sides. Some people are looking forward to a new experience and excited for the change, while others are really sad to see the dance party go.
With this change, we’ll be introducing different kinds of programming, and watching the traffic flow to ensure that each visitor’s experience is the best possible. You’ll see new things like artist-led participatory activities, site-specific performances, and intimate issue-driven discussions. What won’t change is what’s at the heart of First Saturday, and that’s the community. You. The museum will still be a place to see and be seen, to meet people, and to network. We’ll continue to showcase Brooklyn-based talent, tons of live music, hands-on art making for kids and adults alike, gallery tours, films, curator and artist talks. There will be five floors of activities and programs that bring the Museum to life.
As we move forward with these adjustments, we are listening to your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to tell us your thoughts about the programming changes, and look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions to the months ahead.
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Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum
as usual u didn’t address any of my points lol–which means you cant argue against the mathematics of having the dance party- bottom line: you need MONEY and EXPOSURE to run a museum. and hiring a dj is the cheapest and most cost-effective way to accomplish this. as proven for the past 10 (!) years. $$$
It will only be a matter of time before they realize they cant replicate that kinda EASY revenue…and the dj’s will be back.
simple math.
Dear “Google”….Thank you so much for your comment about the infamous John Kwok; it explains everything.
I am glad to see the dance parties go. Sorry, but I had to stop going to first Saturdays due to the overwhelming crowd of people and kids, most of which were totally uninterested in the art or programs, and basically stood around looking to make the scene. I went the very First Saturday years ago and loved it. When they started the dance parties I was excited but quickly saw things going downhill with the crowd. Its too cheap, they needed to charge people entry and/or membership in order to attend. Thats what the Botanical Garden does. When BBG has their cocktail parties its members only and its very lovely and relaxed with just the right amount of people. Making the dance parties free made the place too open to kids and persons not interested in art in the least.
People still dont get it: The main purpose of the dance parties was to generate ancillary revenue and create exposure so that attendees would be interested in visiting and joining the museum on regulars days. The money they got from the LONG lines at the bar created more revenue than the botanical gardens ever got in their lil parties. You have 29 other days in the month to see the art and meet people interested in art . For 10 yrs the dance party helped the museum by taking money from those who aren’t interested in art– and using it to bring art to those like you who are lol. its simple math. but once they realize that the loss will be too much to absorb–the dj’s will be back. give it a year or two.
And its snobs like you who try to exclude people fom things that are supppse to bring everyone together
I have a theory. I find it REALLY suspect, that the party was stopped the same weekend that Barclays Center was opened. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ratner, the developer of the stadium AND the owner of Atlantic Center in which Target is housed, pulled funding from Target sponsored First Saturdays. Also, this notion that the event garnered too much “foot traffic” is absurd. More money in the museum’s pocket. Noise complaints? Also absurd. The Museum is surrounded by the Botanic Garden and a school for the deaf. The residents that live across from it are on the other side of a FOUR lane parkway. Clearly a combination of gentrified notions of who a museum should be for (read: Not Black Brooklyn) and an attempt to redirect first saturday traffic to Barclays is at hand.
@Brooklynisover: While I agree with you that the idea of a “not Black Brooklyn” is not so far-fetched, I do think that your theory about redirecting traffic to Barlcays on 1st Saturday is a little off. First Saturdays are free and any activity at Barclays is not; even if you go to Barlclays every other Saturday of the month, no one is going to pass up a chance to spend less money on the 1st Saturday.
The foot traffic explanation simply means to me that while the newbies on Eastern Parkway profess to be “tolerant” they really don’t want the “others” lingering around on a Saturday after midnight. I think the decision was made in anticipation of one of those Saturdays going sour (fights or other violence, for example). I don’t condone violence by anyone, but to punish all for a few and then not being honest about it is so typical. It saves them the trouble of using those univeristy educated brains to find a viable solution that is respectful to all concerned. I saw it coming months ago…Im not surprised but it amazes me that I still get angry about actions like these; instead of throwing a brick through the museum plate glass windows though, I plan to become a member. This way all those that want to pretend to be “tolerant”, will be forced to do it for real. I can continue to enjoy the benefits of the museum AND watching the tight smiles. My only regret is that I cannot bring people in my community who are unable to afford membership with me.
I think you are forgetting the issues about safety. Free dance party + overcrowding = not safe. That is the main issue. I am glad that finally the BM thinks about the visitors’ safety than money.
@Logic….I appreciate that safety might have been an issue…but wouldnt it have been better on both counts (money and safety) to look for solutions; if a live wire in the museum becomes frayed….wouldn’t it somehow be fixed or will they simply just turn off all the electricity. I know that’s a “stretchy” analogy but surely you get my point. It’s never wise to throw out the baby with the bath water.
The bottom line is, the museum was hosting crowds of up to 30,000 people on many first Saturdays. The museum is not equiped to handle that capacity, period.
“Up to 30,000 people” is meaningless since that could mean 10,000 people, within 560,000 square feet, coming and going over the course of 6 hours. That square footage does not include the large parking lot, which has hosted some great dance events. And, if the 3rd Floor’s too tight, change the music.
When I first went to first Saturdays it was great a place to bring my then 9 year old and 12 year old it was cool fun and eclectic. As of late it just became a club pick up scene. I couldn’t even go to the ladies room without getting hit on. Nice if I’m out at a club without my kids not cool when there with me. There are tons of clubs in NYC. I don’t think that the idea of a museum having a two hour free dance party is one of them. Glad for those reasons to see it go. Two bad for us parents who enjoyed just hanging out with our kids on a Saturday night. By the way something in Paris was done for families, years ago.
I agree with WMJ – as a born and bred Brooklynite I have enjoyed the growing community events and eclectic gatherings at the Brooklyn Museum. The museum has enjoyed phenominal exposure during the Target Free Saturday events and I’m sure membership has increased 10 fold during this time. I attend several of the 1st Saturday events every year and bring my children/boyfriend to enjoy the arts/music and convivial atmosphere of the brooklyn diasporia. I am saddened by the loss of the dance party but understand the safety issue of overcrowding. I hope the museum can put in place a solution that will bring the same level of involvement/vitality and ability to mix and mingle with an eclectic group of people from all walks of life.
I tried to get on the dance floor during one of the events and I couldn’t even get past the line. I am glad that the Brooklyn Museum is revamping the program so they can accommodate all attendees of Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum!
I have not been to the Dance parties in quite some time, but I remember them back when my godmother would invite me and we had such a fabulous time. Now that I have reconnected with Brooklyn and the museum I am sad to hear of the departure of the dance parties. I hope that they come back soon. I truly miss this wonderful social event! It brought such great exposure to the Museum!
Please bring the dance party back.
I’m very sad to see the dance party go. It was one of the best integrated spaces in a segregated city, and I suspect that’s why it’s been eliminated.
One of my favorite things about museum-going is the people watching, and the museum’s first Saturday parties had some of the finest people watching in New York.
If you are worried about capacity, why not just charge regular museum admission (donation) which could limit the numbers, raise more revenue, and not exclude anyone of lower means because they could simply donate less.
Please don’t feel threatened by beautiful young black people.
I know I’m late to the party but I still wanted to express my disappointment with the suspension of the dance party. I’ve been going to First Saturdays for years and always enjoyed the music and the fact that the event brought such a diverse crowd people with all races, ethnicities, ages and classes. The museum’s reason that the dance party brought “too much” foot traffic is BS. Wouldn’t the museum WANT high attendance, particularly one night a month where the admission is free? Isn’t their goal to attempt to make the museum accessible to everyone? Granted, a number of the people who attended the dance party weren’t at the museum for the art, but music is art too, just with sound. Not everything about art or music has to be highbrow in order to be enjoyed. I read some of the previous comments and I agree that the suspension of the dance party has racist overtones and that the overall goal may be for the museum to attract less black and brown people to a free event, which saddens me as a born and bred Brooklynite. I happen to be going this Saturday for the first time since the decision was made. I go to museums from time to time anyway so I’m sure I’ll have a good time but I seriously hope the museum reconsiders its decision, because over time I suspect that the attendance at First Saturdays will decrease to a point that they don’t like.
It used to be a blast until the last year or so. It got to be mostly people too cheap or too young to go to an actual nightclub. But they sure acted like they were in one–a stupid one! Dumb girls sizing me up, to see if I was competition for MEN? But I never saw many of these creatures in the galleries. This is an ART MUSEUM. NOT A FREE DISCO! What revenues are going to go missing when most of the people at the dance party never bought anything and drove other people out? Sad it’s gone ONLY because it USED TO BE fun. The families USED TO come. I think it will be lots better without the rude boys and girls.
@“not Black Brooklyn”. That is not going to happen! The African American community in BK is too strong and has too much going for it. There are so many opportunities for expression here, it is unbelievable that some feel taking away any “dumbing-down” activities is somehow going to eradicate AA Culture.
I am incredibly disappointed to see the suspension of the dance party. I’m afraid Brooklyn Museum has stepped into the fray with this one and has committed what can only been viewed as a very polarizing decision. Thousands have come to enjoy the dance party and the Museum has benefited financially from its success. The voice of a few [well capitalized and well connected] has managed to destroy what had become a delight to so many. It was a unique experience that often times resulted in my running into old college friends, old law schools friends and current colleagues in the field. I think the dance party did help people to connect, network and have tremendous fun in a very light-hearted, open and welcoming environment. Unfortunately the museum’s decision to cancel the party only sends out the opposite message–”You are not welcome here.”
OMG I had a great time at the museum on the 1st Saturdays of the month. The dance party was great, live music, etc I really miss it. i dont think am going back if they dont have the dance parties back. It was so good to spend a nice Sat at the museum looking at the great art and enjoy the entertemaint. The ppl that complain they are just so negative, I brought my kids to the dance parties what are you talking about? The Brooklyn Museum was the place to be.
What a shame. Those dance parties allowed for a mix of people to enjoy that space in a modern fashion, pulling in people that never would set foot in there. As an artist, it felt communal. One of those Brazilian nights was outstanding. Now, it will feel fake like being part of a culture/science experiment. While all of Brooklyn re-defines its self, we are all invited to take part in and explore the museum like any other out of touch art space. Hooray.
I am sad to see the dance parties go, sadly a lot of people will no longer attend the museum because of this decision, I met some of my best friends at the 1st Saturdays and my current boyfriend. The parties brought a lot of different people together. I love seeing the different crowds from black to white, to old and young. The parties let people express themselves while they looked at the arts and listened to the music. I really strongly suggest you bring the dance parties back but change something things but not all.
I’m commenting from somewhere far away from your beautiful museum, which I am looking forward to attending this year once again for a First Saturday event. I attended the First Saturday event in 2007 back when the Annie Liebowitz show was up. It was a transformational experience that had nothing to do with the dance. In fact the dance was a detractor as it seemed intriguing but odd when there was so much more happening in the building. (and fyi: I ran my twenties as a “party promoter” shipping in dj’s and dance freaks from around the US who currently build some of the biggest stages at Burning Man or are now world renowned dj’s) Though it was great to see people enjoying the movement of life together it holds no comparison to the art on site that particular day and the experience that I had viewing it with a dear friend of mine. I remember vaguely that there were people dancing, I remember vividly that the art that night, and the fact that it was a free event with soo many interesting people(who were not people I saw later at the dance) was fascinating and heart warming.
Art brings people together. ART should be the focus. Museums are not built to be dance halls. It is kind that such an opportunity exists, you should be pleased you were able to enjoy something like this for as long as you have. Now let art do what it has to do, as any artist will tell you. In order to survive ART has to evolve. If your only interest in art is your interest in dance then you weren’t interested in art to begin with(and you would be better off at a dance hall or party). If your interest in dance was based on your interest in the art then watch as evolution takes place. Nobody would have ever bought Warhol if they were still pissed that Renoir had died!
I’ve read through these comments and can see both sides of the spectrum but this feels like a Brooklyn cultural staple was prematurely aborted. Seems adjustments could have been made and solutions tried out to resolve the capacity issue such as an Eventbrite that would have set a capacity limit for the event and required RSVPs. That would have been an easy fix that would have allowed the tradition to continue and still have met the museum’s needs. Please do not take this staple away.
The dance party was truly the most unique and innovative part of Target First Saturdays – how cool is it to dance in a museum, and an amazing one at that! – as great as book readings are, they just don’t have the same mass appeal. Please, don’t drop them entirely – maybe keep them outside during the summer months, or include a small fee for them to hire extra security? Sincerely, a dance lover from Crown Heights.
It became Far too crowded,but ironically it has also always been a terrible sound system. I think dance parties are best outside in back so bring them back for May-October-nice compromise and in the meantime explore some of the other offerings.
I, for one, am very disappointed that the dance party portion of First Saturdays was scrapped. I actually joined as a First Saturdays member for $20 (a category aimed at younger donors/social media users which was unfortunately also scrapped recently) primarily because I was drawn to the dance party. I work for a major cultural institution in NYC, and can certainly appreciate that the main purpose of a museum is to preserve an artistic and cultural heritage. But, for a museum to survive these days you must attempt to draw in those who may not necessarily “normally” go to your institution. Sadly it’s often the case of trying to appeal to a younger, more fickle audience while not alienating your existing membership/visitor base. And I get it. The dance parties did sometimes get loud and a little raucous. But what a wonderful diversity of people it attracted. It seemed like overall it was not badly-run and I never felt unsafe there (though I kept a close eye on my bag at all times).
I know I probably wouldn’t bother to come from Queens to Eastern Pkwy (it’s a trek!)on a Saturday without either the draw of a big-name band, exclusive access to certain art exhibits, or dancing (though yes I love to dance, so that may be more my preference). If anything I liked that the Brooklyn Museum offered a somewhat “classy” and much more wallet-friendly alternative to bars, clubs and even now over-hyped events at P.S. 1, the Guggenheim, AMNH, etc. Not everyone who came to dance was a raver, or a drunk, or any other “unsavory” character. Yes, Target First Saturdays is supposed to be a “family-friendly”, community event. But quite honestly, there were plenty of activities for kids/their families to enjoy during the day. What I liked before about First Saturdays is that the dance parties from 8-10 were–I thought–a time for adults who enjoyed dancing and music to participate in the day. Why there were young kids running around at these things, that’s their parents’ choice. It’s presumptuous to dismiss dance as separate from the “cultural” aspect of a museum, especially one that’s supposed to be a little more “cutting-edge” like the Brooklyn Museum… dancing and music is as much an artform as the art hanging on the walls. Like it or not, expression through dance and music is as much a part of cultural heritage as anything else. And those that enjoyed the dance parties were not necessarily any less cultured (whatever that means) than anyone else stepping into the museum.
So while I somewhat understand the decision overall, I believe a lot of especially younger potential visitors will be less likely to visit on First Saturdays. I feel like First Saturdays used to be high on the NYC cultural to-do list… I know I used to put it up there with Warm-Up at P.S. 1. This matters really only in the way of press interest, revenue, attracting potential sponsors and other things that are valuable to an arts institution. Now I feel like there’s very little that sets it apart from any other family/community day at a museum. And that’s a shame. I do hope for the return of the dance parties one day, perhaps as a ticketed event (I would be willing to pay $10-$15 if needed, though in the spirit of welcoming those who can’t necessarily afford that maybe another sponsor should be found so it can be free) or as its own stand-alone event that is very clearly marketed as open to people x years of age and up.
p.s. Seriously, it was ONE night a month. Just one!
I’ve been going to First Saturdays for years and the dance party was my favorite part. I don’t like the idea someone put on to make people pay because my favorite thing about it is that it was a party for everyone — just like Brooklyn. I don’t understand why they couldn’t just limit guests. It seems like the obvious answer. Bars and clubs do this all the time. You reach a capacity limit and then it’s a one-in-one-out situation. First-come-first-serve. I frequent the museum and I’m even a member, but without the dance party I’m not going to First Saturdays anymore.