Inside Out: Jellyfish

On Thursday, August 5, enjoy happy hour in the museum’s outdoor sculpture courtyard with an eclectic mix of disco, new wave, italo, house, post-punk music courtesy of Jellyfish.

Bring your appetite, too! Regional food trucks and a bar created by Café Carnegie offering custom snacks, kid-friendly treats, local beers, delicious wines, and more will be on-site.

While you’re at Inside Out, participate in art-making activities for all ages.

Inside Out events are FREE, open to all ages, have limited capacity, and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Make a day of it and reserve your timed tickets to visit the museum before or after you enjoy Inside Out!

Liner Notes

Exclusive interview with Jellyfish DJ Ricky and Inside Out co-producer Lauren Goshinksi

Jellyfish take over the courtyard from 4 to 8 p.m. with DJs Formosa, Ricky, and Yessi. A queer dance party based in Pittsburgh and Mexico City, Jellyfish has welcomed dancers to a floor blanketed in neon + fog with an eclectic mix of music since 2017. Jellyfish strives to create an inclusive atmosphere where all are welcome and is inspired by leftist politics, international travel, vintage queer porn, and DISCO.

LG: Hello Jellyfish(es)! What an apt party name for a summer party. What’s the story behind the name, and where are your events swimming to as we emerge from Covid?
Ricky: I honestly can’t remember why we chose the name. It just felt right. It’s cool though–I always get jellyfish pics sent to me when friends visit aquariums. We’re hosting summer parties at P Town, which have been a blast.

LG: Before Covid, Jellyfish had a regular night at P-Town Bar in North Oakland (which has survived the wave of permanent closures). Why was this venue a perfect match for your party?
Ricky: P Town’s intimate, queer, and accessible, and it wasn’t a bar that was hosting dancey nights, so it felt fresh to dance there (still does!). They also have lots of TVs, so we were able to add the visual element to the party too.

LG: Drop some knowledge. What are the sources of your music inspiration?
Or, is there anything you wish people knew more about Pittsburgh music and nightlife?
Ricky: For me, a lot of my Jellyfish inspiration stems from the music/stories of NYC’s underground post-disco scene (in the early 80s) and Mexico City’s Hi-NRG/italo disco scene. Also lots of current underground parties that’re held in queer spaces where people can discover new tunes while also discovering/finding a community inspire me (including lots of parties our friends organize!).

LG: How can people help music and nightlife in Pittsburgh recover from Covid, and come back better? Anything on the horizon folks should attend or support?
Ricky: Go out (if you’re comfortable doing so) and support artists and musicians who’re doing cool stuff. Your presence will also support event staff, promoters, bartenders, and everyone who works behind the scenes to make awesome shit happen. And afterward, assuming you have a good time, tell all of your friends about your night.

LG: For you, why is music and nightlife an essential part of culture at large?
Ricky: Without it, life really sucks (as we learned this past year).

LG: TRACK ID. Name a track you’re rinsing right now, that we might hear at Carnegie Museum of Art.
Ricky: Oh geez…any track released by Melopee Records this year. Obsessed.

LG: Describe a Jellyfish night or your sound in 5 words or less :)
Ricky: Sexy euphoric freeing disco vibes

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About the Artists:

Jellyfish is a queer dance party based in Pittsburgh with sounds and visuals by Ricky Moslen and Stephanie Tsong. Since 2017 the monthly party has welcomed dancers to a sweaty dance floor blanketed in neon + fog with an eclectic mix of disco, new wave, italo, house, post-punk, and more.

About Inside Out:

Inside Out is Carnegie Museum of Art’s new outdoor summer event series celebrating and supporting Pittsburgh’s rich cultural landscape. Running from June 5 through September 4 on Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 12-5 p.m., the museum is partnering with over 28 regional artists and small arts organizations to transform the museum’s outdoor Sculpture Courtyard into the season’s go-to destination with a robust schedule of pop-up performances, DJs, art-making activities, local food trucks and beverages, kid-friendly treats, and more. See the full schedule of events here.