On the first Thursday of every month, the Columbus Museum of Art and Museum Associates host an “after-work party” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 1st Thursdays have an average attendance of 1,500 and are geared to 21- to 40-year-olds, said Harlan Robins, vice president of Museum Associates, the volunteer arm of the museum. “Our goal is to bring people in that age group to the museum as a general introduction to the museum,” Robins said. “We hope to educate our age group on the characteristics and events of the museum.”Robins said 1st Thursdays are unique because people are free to roam around the museum and look at the exhibits.1st Thursdays are broadcast live on CD101, and always have a live band playing, Robins said. On March 5, the first Thursday of this month, The Afro-Rican Ensemble will perform.Rolando Matias is the leader and percussionist of the ensemble, which includes flute, tenor saxophone, piano, organ, drums, bass guitar and Latin percussion. “Latin percussion is the use of congas, bongos and timbales,” Matias said. The music combines jazz with rhythmic harmonies of Latin music, he said. The museum has all types of music at 1st Thursdays, ranging from jazz to rock ‘n’ roll, said Chris Byrne, 1st Thursdays chairman and Museum Associates member.”We offer live music, food, refreshments and an incredible group of people,” Byrne said. 1st Thursdays is sponsored by CD101, The Other Paper, Miller Brewing Co. and Aerial Communications. Admission is free for members of the museum and $2 for non-members. For more information, contact the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.