MOCAD is Detroit’s first museum dedicated to contemporary art and, when we were first getting started, locals wondered if the institution could sustain itself. After all, we are down the street from the justifiably renowned Detroit Institute of Arts, the economy here isn’t the best and, really, can a old car dealership really function as a museum?

Now, a half-decade later, we’re still here on (fairly) solid ground so, to celebrate, we threw ourselves a birthday party! Over 500 hundred guests joined us on Friday, Oct. 14, for V, an event that had, well, a lot going on. Offerings included food from local independent restaurants; a silent auction with art and gifts from local businesses; special-edition MOCAD V hand screen-printed t-shirts; music from psych pop to eerie electro to dirty dance; a live iron pour; and, of course, cake.

Rather than blabber on about the party, we’ll let you see for yourself! Enjoy the slideshow