500 of the city’s smartest and most stylish hipsters collapsing into fits of belligerence amongst some darn cool dinosaurs, and listening to some darn good music. Could only have been made better via cocktails featuring pre-historic puns (T-Rex on the Beach, anyone?)

I’m not sure how many times I overheard “Ohmygod I can’t believe I’m drinking in a museum!” - but the scandalous appeal of sippin’ champagne in the diorama halls is not lost on those who were never cool in high school. I kept waiting to get written up by some grouchy ghost of an Honors Biology teacher, but even when my Ivy League-educated friends spilled beer all over the gorgeous marble flooring of the American Mammals exhibit, and then the African, and then very nearly all over a tasteful display of Grizzly Bear taxidermy – no detention. Not even a phone call home to my parents.

Oh yeah, and there was music. The night started with Them Jeans and Ana Calderon spinning a perfect mix of my all-time favorite soul, rock’n’roll, and post-punk hits. The Kinks, The Jackson Five, Joy Division, Blondie, and Talking Heads were a small part of literally the best DJ set I’ve ever heard that I wasn’t in on. Them either stole my iPod or I’ve been going to all the wrong parties, and I’m thinking the latter - but drinks were cheap so it’s a tough call. Speaking of $4 Stellas, I missed Warpaint because I was some combination of late, drunk, and busy lusting after Incan relics. But whatevs, I’ll catch their Cat Power rip-offs at Coachella, along with Yeasayer, whose new album is only partially good. “Love Me Girl” sounds fantastic live, and might be my favorite track off Odd Blood. Listen in, and buy your tickets early for next month’s First Friday, featuring Deer Tick. Haven’t listened to them yet, but assuming they sound like Deerhunter or Deerhoof, I’m in.

WHO IS GOING?

So then, me being me, I've already past Christmas Day (which I'm celebrating here in Portland, Oregon with my girlfriends family), and am eagerly looking forward to New Years, where I'll be rocking out/tripping maaajor balls at:



Exciting? Hell yes,

What is everyone else doing for New Years?