Heady Expansions

Entertainment complex plans thrilling events and new venues

Popular entertainment venue AREA15 showcases attractions like the huge, surreal supermarket Omega Mart; immersive galleries and experiences like Wink World: Portals Into the Infinite and Museum Fiasco; restaurants like The Beast by Todd English; and hybrids of it all like Liftoff, an open-air balloon ride with a cocktail lounge below. DJs and special events like yoga and dance spice things up weekly.

But there’s even more coming up in the next few months, including the arrival of AREA15’s massives, multivenue parties that channel the spirit of a rave, with a lot of extra events thrown in. AREA15 head of entertainment Noah Kessler said in a release, “Massives encourage visitors to show up as their most authentic selves, embrace the future and become part of the experience.”

The first of these superparties, on March 25, We’re All Mad Here, brings Alice in Wonderland to life in an unexpected way, with a Mad Hatter’s Tea, festival-style vendors, craft sellers and art installations. LSDream, Eazybaked, Tahùm and DJ Manifesto are among the DJs scheduled to appear. Doors open at 9 p.m. (Must be 18 or older to attend.) Themed costumes are encouraged. Other scheduled events are themed to Secret Garden, Neon Dream, Happy Camper and others.

And coming up in later months for the complex is a 20-acre expansion that will drastically increase the number of experiences available, including Universal Parks & Resorts, which will anchor the new area with a year-round experience inspired by its popular Halloween Horror Nights. –Nina King

ASTONISHING. UNPREDICTABLE. MIND-BENDING.

Omega Mart is an immersive interactive experience from the groundbreaking art collective, Meow Wolf. Featuring jaw-dropping work from international and local artists, Omega Mart sends participants of all ages on a journey through surreal worlds and immersive storytelling. Discover secret portals or simply soak up the innovative art as you venture beyond an extraordinary supermarket into parts unknown.

Tickets at OmegaMart.com