Christmas Ball?

[Nessamelda]

This is a little bit early perhaps but does anyone know if there will be a Christmas ball this year?

[hr]

I can resist everything...except temptation!

[David Bean]

Mermaids is organising one, I believe on 11 December (unless I misheard).

[hr]

I'm your Guardian Angel.

[me]

yeah there is. It is going to be on 11th December this year at the barn outside of town (where the KK May ball is held) so there will be room for about 1000 people. should be good!!!

[Guest]

11 th December! 1000 tickets available this year.

[brt]

11th dec! x

[papercutheart]

So....11th of December then?

[rob 'f*ck off' wine boy]

Quoting papercutheart from 02:15, 10th Oct 2005
So....11th of December then?

No, the 11th of December.

[Guest]

Not that bloody barn again, why not the Bay Hotel like last year?

[Lyra]

... and the hunt for cheap, disposable shoes which are comfy enough not to need to be taken off begins ...

[hr]

Pheidippides! ... ooh that turns me on!

[AR]

its at the kinkell farm, and this is because the bay hotel is not christmasy enough nor can it hold enough people
there will be plentiful heaters
11th of december!

[hr]

"Well la de dah... la de dah"
--annie hall

[you must be joking]

Kinkell farm? IN WINTER??!!? With holes in the roof and no seals on the doors?

Hahahaha.


How about holding it somewhere else with a large capacity - like the union? The union has fire safety certificates.

[Ashley]

A festive ball in a barn, that barn sounds like a great idea. Just so long as there's donkeys, sheep and three wise men, mind.

[hr]

Nobody ever mentions the weather can make or break your day

[the spirit of xmas]

Jesus was born in a barn and he didn't care about the weather or if he had appropriate footwear. SUCK IT UP! It will be a blast. xxx

[RB]

The barn will not be cold - trust me. We have mega crazy amounts of heaters to keep you all toasty (along with free wine), doors will be sealed and there are NO HOLES IN THE ROOF. New toilet blocks have been built (ooh, aah) so no more disgusting portaloo hell. There will be plenty of seats to save your tootsies and can't conceive why there would be mud in the barn - so stop the rumour mill - Christmas is the season of eternal optimism after all. So drink and be merry!

[Animal]

How much does it cost to hire that big draughty shed?
Is this money that has been raised independently, or is it part of a grant from the union?

I'm all for union's money being spent on the arts (why did the Saint say that there's no creative outlets in this town - really, they should do a bit more research...) but I'd rather Mermaids didn't squander it on a big draughty shed. Far away from St Andrews. In Winter.

So how much does it cost to hire the big draughty shed?

[AR]

Well animal, i'm so glad to hear about your fear for the funding of the arts. Really. It sounded sincere.

But actually nothing is squandered. Instead it is a good source to bring money back into the arts- it's a ball that lets people have an immense amount of fun in a beautiful setting that ends up paying for itself. It can end up helping to sponsor things such as Showcase, Fringe grants and other things that money gets squandered on.

So stop the complaining and the conspiracy theories that Mermaids is throwing away Union grants and instead get ready to come to an amazing ball- in a beautiful old (but well heated!) building that is the epitome of Christmas. Get excited for a night of good fun with great music and excellent people.

[hr]

"Well la de dah... la de dah"
--annie hall

[Midget]

Most societies have balls. I really really don't see this as a huge issue. I know people do love to complain on the sinner, about the University, the Union and so forth, sometimes with good reason. But the complaints from animal and the like are just bollocks I mean "Oh my God Mermaids are having a fund raising Christmas Ball which will raise money for theatre and also it might even be really fun! How awful!". Still I suppose its good that the ball is getting some publicity.

Oh and if any of the people who are standing up for the ball are also the organisers you should get in contact with me about Blind Mirth (you're thesps I assume you know us -I love you and other lies etc)) performing at the ball (my email is in my profile), as we have just auditioned some great new members for our group and we were going to perform last year but there wasn't enough room (not a problem at Kinkell), and plus we are free.

[hr]

IMAGE:img9.imgspot.com/u/04/241/18/160019.jpg Too far.

[Animal]

Quoting AR from 10:54, 15th Oct 2005
Well animal, i'm so glad to hear about your fear for the funding of the arts. Really. It sounded sincere.

But actually nothing is squandered. Instead it is a good source to bring money back into the arts- it's a ball that lets people have an immense amount of fun in a beautiful setting that ends up paying for itself. It can end up helping to sponsor things such as Showcase, Fringe grants and other things that money gets squandered on.

So stop the complaining and the conspiracy theories that Mermaids is throwing away Union grants and instead get ready to come to an amazing ball- in a beautiful old (but well heated!) building that is the epitome of Christmas. Get excited for a night of good fun with great music and excellent people.

In all seriousness, it annoyed me to read in the saint that St Andrews lacks creative students. This can so easily be countered by the number of people who attend the mermaids meetings; audition for plays, musicals and readings; get off their arse and actually put on events for the majority of people who just expect these things to happen.

So I'm really pleased to see that there are people willing to hold a ball (which is a massive undertaking, which most people will take for granted without a thought for all the organisation and planning that goes into such an event), but I'm concerned that using the draughty shed is an unneccesary drain on precious resources, and that an alternative venue would be a more sensible use of Mermaids funds.

However - I could be wrong, which is why I asked how much it costs to hire that venue.

I have no doubt that whichever venue you choose, you'll be more than capable of providing the best entertainment and ensuring that everyone has a great time - I'm not belittling that or trying to suggest any sort of conspiracy.


So - how much does it cost to hire?

[AR]

I'm just curious as to why the pricing is so important to you. Look, we spend our money very well, we have ended the last few years above where we were at the beggining.
While I'm glad to see that you have concern for the saint's 'allegations' of lacking creativity. But your concern for our use of funding is a little off the mark. There's a ball committee, they are incredibly organised and efficient and they chose the barn because of the numbers it can hold and the atmosphere. It's not draughty, there will be plenty of heaters and its' certainly not a 'drain on precious resources'.
I don't know from where you think you have the authority or the place to try and ask how much things are costing. The venue is one of many aspects to the ball and its price is comparable to other venues relative to the number of people it can fit. It's all in good hands and the rest really isn't your business. I would stop worrying so much and just look forward to having a lovely ball organised by a group of people who are putting time and effort in to see that others have a good evening.
That's all it is- lots of fun with an excellent venue!

[hr]

"Well la de dah... la de dah"
--annie hall

[Bonnie]

Animal,
Be careful. The Mermaids people are a good lot and deserve mucho respecto.
I say be careful, because I'd hate to see you miss out on this ball opportunity because you just want to prove a point! You'd have a great time at this ball and I'm sure I'll see you at the bar out there-- that's what the smart people go for-- the bar!

[hr]

I love cheese.