The Norton is about to put on its own version of Night At The Museum, but don’t expect the sculptures to come to life like in the Ben Stiller movie that opened this weekend.

Beginning June 11, the museum, which normally closes at 5 p.m., will stay open until 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

The Norton is calling it Art After Dark, and the goal is reaching families and young professionals.
There will be gallery tours and curator talks — but also live music, classic film screenings, poetry readings, a costume contest and even a yoga class. Oh, and a cash bar to get you in the mood, although refreshments won’t be allowed in the galleries.

For the first Art After Dark, local rocker John Ralston will perform at 6:30 p.m., while in another area, a curator will discuss contemporary art. At 7 p.m., the Disney movie Fantasia will screen.

The series is partially underwritten by a $150,000 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. A shuttle will run between the museum and Clematis by Night on those Thursdays.