Earlier in October Cleveland young professionals got a new monthly event to add to their calendars: Cleveland Museum of Art’s MIX First Fridays.

And after their first party showcased the Half the air balloon exhibit, November’s MIX turns its attention to the opening of the Museum’s stunning new atrium.

The Ames Family Atrium, along with the new Museum Store and Chef Doug Katz’s Provenance Restaurant and Café, are the latest additions to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s building expansion.

Museum guests have gotten a sneak peek at the space since it partially opened to the public in August. And this Sunday, Oct. 28 the whopping 39,000-square-foot piazza officially opens!

It’ll be the largest free public space in Northeast Ohio, bridging the original 1916 and 1971 buildings and new east and west wings with a beautiful curved glass roof.

Over 40 groups will come together on Sunday from 11am to 4pm to showcase Cleveland’s different cultures and celebrate with a day of music, dancing, art-making and other family-friendly activities.

And on Friday, Nov. 2 the Atrium will host its first public evening event at
MIX: Masquerade.

Now, in my opinion, that photo of the Atrium is reason enough to get tickets, but MIX: Masquerade has a few more tricks up its sleeve in case you need convincing.

For those who don’t get their fill of Halloween festivities earlier in the week, the Nov. 2 party will feature mysteries and ghost stories throughout the galleries from 5-7pm.

Then at 7pm, slip on a mask if you’re so inclined to get into the Masquerade spirit, as 2 DJs and an orchestra take over the Atrium.

There’s so much going on, the Museum is extending its hours until 11pm that night.

Tickets are $7 for members, $14 for non-members (yet another reason to join). Call 216.421.7350 or visit clevelandart.org/mix for tickets. Reservations are strongly suggested.

Sip a cocktail, explore the collection, dance the night away and enjoy the view!

Disclosure: I was invited to blog about MIX in exchange for attending. As always though, the choice of which events I share is my own.

A couple months ago at PlayhouseSquare’s Young Professionals Movie Night, I was happy to join my fellow Jump Back Ball co-chair Meredith in announcing the theme of this year’s Jump Back Ball:

Jump Back Through the Looking Glass

The planning has been amping up since then — as we recreate the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland in PlayhouseSquare’s theatres and gather items for the auctions and raffles.

On November 3rd at Market Garden Brewery, you’ll have your first opportunity to purchase tickets at our Ticket Kickoff Happy Hour.  From 6-8pm, enjoy complimentary appetizers, drink specials, prizes and the best deal on Jump Back Ball tickets. 

Why should you buy your Jump Back Ball ticket at the Ticket Kickoff Party?

• You’ll save the most money. Tickets will be $130 ($105 if you join Partners) at the Kickoff. The next morning, the ticket price goes up to $150 ($125 for Partners) when they go on sale online.
• No handling fees. When the ticket price goes up the next day, each ticket will also have a handling fee. But if you buy tickets in person at the Kickoff Happy Hour, you don’t have to worry about any fees.
• You can sign up for a payment plan. I really like the payment plan option. I used it last year and plan on using it again this year — breaking my purchase up between the months makes it a lot easier on my bank account.
• Last year’s event sold out really early. If you want to go to Jump Back Ball, don’t wait — each year the event sells out and last year’s Jump Back Ball sold out almost a month before the event.  The earlier you purchase tickets, you’ll not just save money but also secure your spot.

If you haven’t attended Jump Back Ball in the past, it’s an evening of fine food, drinks and entertainment wrapped in a creative spirit. The State Theatre at PlayhouseSquare will be transformed into the world of Alice in Wonderland, with guests invited to dress up either in their finest or a theme-inspired costume.

It’s also PlayhouseSquare’s largest fundraiser with the partially tax-deductible ticket supporting the theatre’s non-profit mission.

Here’s my recap of last year’s Jump Back Ball – I’m excited to go from attending and blogging last year to co-chairing the event this year. Stop by and say hi on November 3rd when you get your tickets to Jump Back Through the Looking Glass!

And if you’re interested in PlayhouseSquare Partners — the young professionals group that hosts Jump Back Ball, check out our next Happy Hour this Thursday at Chinato and the OSU vs. Penn State Viewing Party on Nov. 19.

Jump Back Ball 411:

• Jump Back Ball 2012: Through the Looking Glass
• Nov. 3 Ticket Kickoff Party
• PlayhouseSquare’s Mission
• @playhousesquare
• Like PlayhouseSquare on Facebook