May Ball

[motorhead]

Quoting from 14:06, 6th Mar 2006
what date is the may ball this year??

i am looking for a date

[Bizarre Atheist]

I'm a first year and was all up for the whole May Ball malarky but,sorry, what? Really, £100 a ticket? And people actually go? And it's just like any other ball except with a KK attitude?

How can this madness be??

[Guest]

The May Ball is probably on Friday May 5th. I've heard that there will only be one ticket price this year and twice the bar size to last. Also the bar staff will be more professional. As for the charity aspect, if anyone bothered to ask someone in the KK how much they give to charity, they would tell you; besides, the Charity giveaway at the end of the academic year is when the club gives the money away in big cheques, like you see on tv

[Atangaladhion]

Quoting from 18:05, 8th Mar 2006
The May Ball is probably on Friday May 5th. I've heard that there will only be one ticket price this year and twice the bar size to last. Also the bar staff will be more professional. As for the charity aspect, if anyone bothered to ask someone in the KK how much they give to charity, they would tell you; besides, the Charity giveaway at the end of the academic year is when the club gives the money away in big cheques, like you see on tv

Not true. When buying tickets for the opening ball two of my friends asked how much goes to charity, which charities does the money go to. Neither person serving them had a clue and just asked, "Do you want a ticket or not?"

[hr]

Lars Olsen is not the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the first coming of Lars Olsen.

[Legion]

I've also asked, and was told that the club gives money to charity, but they won't disclose their accounts. Rest assured that they always start the year in debt...

[Guest]

I have worked at every may ball for the last four years. I think that having seen it from the inside every year, I can raise a few points for people:

1. Every year, the KK set up their own 'Committee area', which they furnish to the highest standard. They have their own private bar, complete with bar staff, and stock it with good champagne and quality liquor, not the normal stuff for the bars.

2. The KK don't pay for tickets, they get a free night, subsidised by yourselves.

3. The preparation put in by the KK goes as far as booking the various contractors, acts and venue. They then spend the afternoon before the event doing the odd task here and there. There are a few lads who work pretty hard and do their best.

4. Once the event starts, that is the end of their commitment. One chap usually rotates his drinking with doing a tour of the venue every now and then.

5. You've bought your ticket, it doesn't matter how good or bad the night is, you won't be getting a refund and everyone next year will say it is 'a different person organising the event so it'll be better'. They don't care, they've had a free night, and have had the prestige of saying to their mates 'I'll get you into the committee room', which is littered with drunk girls by the end of the night (I know, it's generally where I spend the night).

6. The profits from the ball go towards running costs of the KK Club for the rest of the year, so you are funding anything they consider to be an appropriate event (a party, a meal, a taxi ride here or there, entertaining a supplier etc.)

Do you want to pay for the richest of St Andrews students to be members of a club which they won't allow you to join? Would a club who acted responsibly disclose their charity donations? Do you want to fund their night, which will certainly be better and more comfortable than your own?

People evidently do, but it saddens me that there isn't more backbone among the student population of St Andrews.

[Guest]

I forgot to add, that the act will come from the bargain bucket of DJs. Currently, acts include N-Trance, Artful Dodger etc. That is the sort of name to expect.

[Steveo]

I couldn't care less what they do with the money, and I fully expect them to have a private room, I would.

If you have a good night, which I did 2 years ago, then what's the problem with where the money goes?

[hr]

Set your goals way too high so I can laugh when you fail.

[Bizarre Atheist]

I really must persist with my line of questioning -

£100 a ticket?? I can't afford to get myself there, let alone girlfriend, predrinking, dry cleaning etc etc!

[bramble]

Quoting from 23:09, 8th Mar 2006
I have worked at every may ball for the last four years. I think that having seen it from the inside every year, I can raise a few points for people:


2. The KK don't pay for tickets, they get a free night, subsidised by yourselves.

3. The preparation put in by the KK goes as far as booking the various contractors, acts and venue. They then spend the afternoon before the event doing the odd task here and there. There are a few lads who work pretty hard and do their best.

Dont usually defend people like this, but feel i should make a point. I think its fine that the KK members get free tickets because they do actually have to put an awful lot of work into the ball. You stated some of their tasks but not all the time they spend ticket selling and everything too. Any person organising a ball and putting unpaid work into it would expect a free ticket, and im sure this is the case with all the other balls held throughout the year.
As for the people i know that are in the KK, they work incredibly hard and under a lot of stress on the actual day, and are often unable to really enjoy the ball until right at the end. Cut them a bit of slack please.
And as for the expense and where the money goes etc, if you dont like it dont go, dont support the event - its as simple as that. I personally have been every single one of the three years ive been here and enjoyed it every time, although the VIP tickets were probably not worth it last year. However it is what you make of it and i still had a good time with my friends. I fully intend to go this year too.
Right, theres my two pennies worth for you

[hr]

Ich will die Ruhe stören...
http://standrews.thefacebook.com/profil ... d=37100067

[white_wolf]

I usually dont defend the KK either, but I can see why they have there own "commitee" room. The months leading up the ball and the organisation of putting on such an event is extremely hard and involves alot of work.

That is why they hire in a Production company, it is there job to take control of the night and ensure that it goes the way the KK have asked for it to run.

And in fairness during the opening ball the KK arrived up the morning after On-Time and started clearing up all the rubbish from the marquee, albeit a bit slow due to the hangovers but it was done and the place was spotless after.

Give them a break it is there night to.

[Starla]

Quoting Bizarre Atheist from 13:03, 9th Mar 2006
I really must persist with my line of questioning -

£100 a ticket?? I can't afford to get myself there, let alone girlfriend, predrinking, dry cleaning etc etc!

I'll say what I remember, though it may be wrong...tickets are different prices, cheapest were £50, which I think included free food & drinks all night and a bus there. The £100 tickets were VIP tickets, I think you either got limos or helicopters to the ball, plus extra stuff like champagne on the way or faster service or something...

[Bizarre Atheist]

Thanks! and phew - things were looking distinctly non-attendance oriented for a bit there.