The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art in Sedalia will launch a new series of programming - called "Summer Nights" - on Thursday with an appearance by comedy/magician Eric Vaughn from Kansas City.

"We're trying something new in having evening hours one day a month," said Tom Piché, curator of the Daum Museum. "We'll be open the fourth Thursdays of May, June, July and August from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. To sweeten the pot, we're bringing in some special events. We haven't really done this kind of programming before. It's not exactly art-related, but we're hoping that it's going to be part of the mix. You can see exhibitions while you're there, but we'll also have these special offerings."

Piché says Vaughn's act is family-friendly. "He's slightly wacky, so he brings a lighthearted approach to the whole endeavor. He's well regarded. He got the magician of the year award from Kansas City's International Brotherhood of Magicians, so we have high hopes."

Eric Vaughn's performance will begin at 6 p.m. on May 25 in the main gallery. It is free for the public to attend the show.

Additional "Summer Nights" programming will include the June 22 opening reception for the Daum’s summer exhibitions; a reading from SpoFest, a community group that promotes the writing and sharing of poetry and prose in the Sedalia area, on July 27; and fun, family educational activities on August 24.

The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art is on the Sedalia campus of State Fair Community College.

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