On Saturday, September 21, Grammy-nominated DJ A-Trak will headline Avant Garden 2024, the Walker Art Center’s annual fundraising gala. Daniel del Prado’s Cardamom will provide After Party late-night bites and signature cocktails. Tickets start at $150 and are available now for the event which supports the museum’s innovative artistic and educational programming.
Fool’s Gold Records founder A-Trak is best known for his work as part of the duo Duck Sauce, who produced the chart-topping dance song “Barbra Streisand.” The DJ is the latest artist to headline the event, which in previous years featured Questlove, Vagabon, and MC Lyte, among others. Local DJs Kwey and McShellen will kick the party off, and Dameun Strange will provide the dinner entertainment.
This year’s Avant Garden is themed Compositions for a Dream, evoking an immersive moonlit gala draped in delicate gossamer. The evening begins in the galleries with a gourmet dinner and art auction. The auction features work from Stanley Whitney, Matt Connors, Catherine Opie, Haegue Yang, Alec Soth, Julie Buffalohead, and others. Online bidding opens on Sotheby’s on Thursday, September 12, and the works will be on view to the public beginning Wednesday, September 18.
At 8:30 pm, dinner guests and After Party attendees will meet in the Wurtele Upper Garden for a memorable dance party. After Party late-night bites from Daniel del Prado’s Cardamom include Falafel, Mushroom Lahmacun, Moroccan Cigars, Lamb Sliders, and Mini Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies. This year’s signature cocktail is the Lavender Dreams (vodka, lavender, lemon verbena, pomegranate, carbonation), and the signature mocktail is a Gossamer Blush (guava, ginger, lemon, sparking water).
Proceeds from the evening support the Walker’s mission to empower people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways.
AVANT GARDEN 2024
Saturday, September 21, 5 pm
TICKETS
After Party ticket ($150) / 8:30 pm–12 midnight
For one guest
Enjoy the legendary late-night party experience including two drink tickets and late-night treats provided by Daniel del Prado’s Cardamom restaurant.
Dinner ticket ($1,500) / 5 pm–12 midnight
For one guest
Cocktail reception, gourmet full-service dinner at a seated table with assigned placement in the Walker galleries, silent art auction, and live program. Includes admission to the After Party.
Silver Table ($15,000) / 5 pm–12 midnight
Package for 10 guests
All of the above, with general placement.
Gold Table ($20,000) / 5 pm–12 midnight
Package for 10 guests
All of the above, with preferred placement.
Platinum Table ($25,000) / 5 pm–12 midnight
Package for 10 guests
All of the above, with premier placement.
SOLD OUT: Elevate Your Late-Night
$5,000 Bottle Service
Add to any experience: Reserved lounge and unlimited drinks near the dance floor (opens at 8:30 pm and seats up to 10 ticket holders).
PREMIERE ART AUCTION
The Walker’s premier Avant Garden 2024 art auction will feature works by Stanley Whitney, Matt Connors, Catherine Opie, Haegue Yang, Alec Soth, Julie Buffalohead, and others.
Bidding for this online auction opens exclusively on Sotheby’s beginning on Thursday, September 12 at 10:00 am and will close on Monday, September 23 at 1:00 pm.
The works will be on view to the public in Cargill Lounge from Wednesday, September 18 through Sunday, September 22.
All proceeds support the Walker’s mission to empower people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways.
AVANT GARDEN 2024 CO-CHAIRS
Cara Deanes
Ana Haqq
Greg Stenmoe
AUCTION CO-CHAIRS
Lindsey Christensen
Dean Salita
BIPOC ARTIST FUND CO-CHAIRS
Gabrielle Grier
Natalie Morrow
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
Chris Haqq, Co-Chair
Aaron Mack, Co-Chair
Jeff Sunberg, Co-Chair
Sean Reilly
TABLE CO-CHAIRS
Mark Addicks
Tara Dev
Christopher Hermann
Muffy MacMillan
TICKET COMMITTEE
Jennifer Hornig, Co-Chair
Robert Spikings, Co-Chair
Cornel Beard
Bebe Zahara Benet
Susan Blaska Lindahl
Kerry Ciardelli-Chevalier
Christopheraaron Deanes
Amy DuCharme
Davee Ek
Janelle Maclean
DJ Tricky Miki
Richard Moody
Adair Mosley
Jahna Peloquin
Jeffery Perkey
Bryan Pieper
Joy Quaidoo
Wynne Reece
Nicole Sunberg
Sarah Lee Winstead
ABOUT THE WALKER ART CENTER
The Walker Art Center is a renowned multidisciplinary arts institution that presents, collects, and supports the creation of groundbreaking work across the visual and performing arts, moving image, and design. Guided by the belief that art has the power to bring joy and solace and the ability to unite people through dialogue and shared experiences, the Walker engages communities through a dynamic array of exhibitions, performances, events, and initiatives. Its multiacre campus includes 65,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, the state-of-the-art McGuire Theater and Walker Cinema, and ample green space that connects with the adjoining Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Garden, a partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is one of the first urban sculpture parks of its kind in the United States and home to the beloved Twin Cities landmark Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Recognized for its ambitious program and growing collection of more than 15,500 works, the Walker embraces emerging art forms and amplifies the work of artists from the Twin Cities and from across the country and the globe. Its broad spectrum of offerings makes it a lively and welcoming hub for artistic expression, creative innovation, and community connection.