20th Annual Jump Back Ball for PlayhouseSquare takes place on Feb. 26, 2011.
A few months ago I wrote about PlayhouseSquare Partners, the young professionals group for the PlayhouseSquare theaters. I know I said it then, but it’s worth repeating: even with my involvement in Philly’s theater community, this Cleveland program is one of the most unique opportunities I’ve seen for giving back to the arts and community.
PlayhouseSquare Partners is about more than just making a tax-deductible donation to the theater. Members also volunteer their time and talents to the country’s largest performing arts center outside the Lincoln Center. Even at the lowest donor level ($50 per individual/$75 for a couple) you can help out on one of the committees. As a former theater geek, this is definitely one of my favorite aspects of the program.
One of the ways members get involved is with the planning of Jump Back Ball. Jump Back Ball is PlayhouseSquare’s largest fundraiser of the year – an annual black tie and costume ball inside State Theatre from which all of the proceeds go to the theaters’ mission. From joining the planning committee to pitching in at Shop Nights, Partners can help Jump Back Ball win PDQ’s ‘Most Fun Party in Cleveland’ for the fourth year in a row.
Although February 26 will be the 20th Jump Back Ball, it’ll be my first year attending and participating. I’m excited to say the least. For the milestone anniversary, Partners is planning a larger-than-usual Jump Back Ball. With a Passport to Party theme, they’re bringing legendary parties from around the world to Cleveland — from Oktoberfest, Running of the Bulls, and Carnaval de Quebec to the Thailand Full Moon Party, Jaipur Kite Festival, and Chinese New Year.
Funnily enough, I first read about Jump Back Ball after last year’s event around the time I started this blog. I like a good party and it sounded like a fun way to spend an evening when it rolled around this year. At the time, I didn’t know it was organized by Partners and I definitely didn’t figure I’d be able to get involved. Flashforward a year and Scott and I are looking forward to watching how it all comes together by February 26th.
Joining Partners is one of the things I can directly attribute to blogging after I found out about it while attending this summer’s Cinema at the Square series. Because of this, I want to do something a little bit differently on my blog for Jump Back Ball.
Instead of just attending and writing about what goes down at this year’s party, I’ll be supplementing my regular Cleveland posts with a weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Jump Back Ball is shaping up. I’ll be sharing a look at the planning and Shop Nights, as well as tips on getting ready for the evening while I experience it along the way. Consider it a first-timers guide to the party from a first-timer herself.
Don’t have your tickets yet? Partners is hosting a Ticket Sales Happy Hour on January 13 at Stone Mad Pub. Tickets can be purchased at the happy hour without handling fees, or online and by phone. There are plenty of reasons to buy them sooner than later – Jump Back Ball has sold out the last five years and ticket prices go up the closer we get to the event. I hope to meet fellow Cleveland fans while I’m at the Ball and can’t think of a better way to round out the entire experience and my first year of Clue Into Cleveland.
Haven’t convinced you yet to get a ticket? Next week’s entry will look at the different ticket levels and how the proceeds go to help PlayhouseSquare.
Jump Back Ball 411:
Can’t wait to read your upcoming posts!
Pingback: PlayhouseSquare’s Jump Back Ball, Part 2: Getting Your Tickets « Clue Into Cleveland
Pingback: Jump Back Ball, Part 7: Today’s the Day. Are You Ready? « Clue Into Cleveland