Popular Series of Late-Night Parties Moves to Saturday Nights, Beginning March 9
Time: 8 p.m.–midnight

Houston—February 26, 2013—MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA is back for 2013. On Saturday, March 9, the museum will be transformed into a multisensory experience featuring high-energy live music and DJs with cocktails and dancing, in an event space designed by a team from IKEA Houston. To celebrate the Picasso Black and White exhibition, guests are invited to dress in their best black and white attire. This major exhibition offers unprecedented examination of Picasso’s black-and-white palette and will be open during the event! Performing live is Light Asylum (Brooklyn, NYC), along with dance performance artist Max XandauX and DJs Mike Textbeak (Cleveland, Ohio) and resident DJ, Eric Castillo/Ceeplus Bad Knives. Karaoke to Cover Me Badd’s extensive selection of hit songs by your favorite artists, including Kelly Clarkson and George Jones, and don’t forget to stop by the Smilebooth for party pics that you can share instantly via social networks.

Light Asylum, a commanding duo that evokes the intensity of Ian Curtis and Grace Jones, among others, is the project of vocalist Shannon Funchess and multi-instrumentalist Bruno Coviello. Funchess and Coviello crossed paths while on tour with their respective bands, each of which happened to be on tour with the rap act, Bunny Rabbit; after bonding over their shared love for Clan of Xymox, they began writing and recording together. In 2010, Light Asylum self-released their debut EP, In Tension, which featured the single "Dark Allies"; in May 2012, the group's self-titled debut album followed on Mexican Summer.

Max XandauX, accompanied by two phenomenal backup dancers, delivers a one of a kind performance, displaying a new wave of artistic vision with a focus on expressionism and expansion. He holds true to his philosophy: "Everyone should be a self portrait artist. It’s the new wave, and we end up being what we create within our own paintings; as our own paintings, we like to decorate ourselves."

Lighting, sound and staging for MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA is provided by PRO/SOUND. Stella Artois is the official beer of MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA, courtesy of Silver Eagle distributors. Music for MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA is curated by Reprogram Multimedia.

Tickets to the March 9 Mixed Media event are available in advance beginning Wednesday, February 27, at www.mfah.org/mixedmedia online; 713.639.7771 by phone; and in person at the museum. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door, pending availability. Space is limited; advance ticket purchase is recommended to guarantee entry. Mixed Media events to follow are scheduled for Saturdays, April 6 and May 4.

Entry is limited to guests 18 and older. Must present photo ID for admission. Must be 21 to purchase drink tickets and consume alcoholic beverages.  Full bar, cash and credit card accepted. This event will be held in the Beck Building/Porte Cochere (Ground Floor) of the MFAH, 5601 Main Street.

Use #mixedmedia to follow the action on Twitter.

For more information, visit www.mfah.org/mixedmedia or call 713.639.7771.

Admission
Guests can discover the incredible exhibition Picasso Black and White. Admission included with your Mixed Media ticket. Tickets are now on sale at www.mfah.org/mixedmedia online; 713.639.7771 by phone; and in person at the museum. Discounts are available for MFAH Art Crowd members, MFAH adult members and IKEA Family Card holders, with a limit of 2 adult tickets at the discounted price. Must show appropriate membership card to receive discounts. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

Adults (18+) Nonmembers  $16 in advance / $18 at the door
MFAH Art Crowd Members  $13 in advance / $15 at the door
Adult MFAH Members  $13 in advance / $15 at the door
IKEA Family Card Holders  $13 in advance / $15 at the door
Students 18+ with ID (on-site only)  $13 in advance / $15 at the door

About the MFAH Art Crowd
In addition to discounted admission to the Mixed Media events, and the benefits already associated with basic MFAH membership, MFAH Art Crowd members receive exclusive opportunities to connect with other young museum members; invitations to four Art Crowd events per year, with complimentary cocktails and bites, music and more; and special offers available only to Art Crowd members. Art Crowd memberships are a $25 add-on per person to any level of MFAH membership. Art Crowd members must be at least 21 years of age. For details, visit mfah.org/artcrowd, or e-mail artcrowd@mfah.org.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Founded in 1900, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is among the 10 largest art museums in the United States. Located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, the MFAH comprises two gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two libraries, a theater and two art schools, with two house museums nearby: Bayou Bend for American decorative arts, and Rienzi for European decorative arts. The encyclopedic collections of the MFAH number some 63,000 works, embracing the art of antiquity to the present. For hours, admission and parking information, visit www.mfah.org or call 713.639.7300.

About IKEA Houston
IKEA Houston is located on I-10 near Antoine. The 300,000-square-foot IKEA Houston store opened in 1992 and employs approximately 300 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA Houston showcases 54 room settings, 18 kitchens, three complete home interiors under 500 square feet,
a supervised children’s play area and a 350-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a Children’s IKEA area in the showroom, baby-care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. Visit www.inspiringlifeathome.com for more information.