The NYE decorations and party hats have been packed away for another year, and the Christmas tree is coming down this weekend.

However, Scott and I are still in party mode because it’s almost time for Jump Back Ball!

Much to Scott’s chagrin, I tend to plan everything way in advance (case in point: we just started planning a trip to Chicago for our 5-year wedding anniversary in March … 2014).

So even though Jump Back Ball is not until February 23, it’s time to start pulling together our costumes and theme.

And with that comes my annual blog series on Jump Back Ball.

Each year I normally start off with why you should get a ticket to Jump Back Ball. Besides raising funds for PlayhouseSquare, each party offers something unique and fun.

But this year I’m excited to say I don’t have to. Thanks to an AWESOME turnout at the Ticket Kick-Off Party, Jump Back Two Spaces sold out in December – almost 2 months earlier than last year!

Instead I’m going to jump right into the fun and take you behind the scenes on my Jump Back Ball planning.

After working on last year’s Jump Back Ball, I’m thrilled to be attending as a guest once again. My favorite part about the event is being surprised by what the planning committee has up their sleeve.

Plus I can focus all of this year’s energy on what I’m going to wear.

When the theme – Jump Back Two Spaces – was announced in August, our friends immediately knew which board game we’d all be dressing as.

A few years ago Scott and I discussed having a Clue party at our house – where we’d transform the place into a life-sized game board with each guest playing one of the characters. Life got in the way, though, and we never got around to it.

So while there were many games to pick from for our Jump Back Ball inspiration, we couldn’t pass on the opportunity to do Clue.

And for my Clue character? The Widow Peacock!

Scott – I mean, Professor Plum – better watch his back.

I’m updating Mrs. Peacock‘s grande dame style a bit and looking forward to getting into the spirit of the character from head-to-toe this year.

Which all starts with tomorrow’s post. I’ll be sharing a few ideas for hairstyles and accessories I’ve brainstormed but would welcome any advice.

Are you going to Jump Back Ball this year? Looking to get a bit creative with your outfit?
Here are some board game ideas for inspiration:

• Evite’s Game Night Party Ideas
• Milton Bradley/Parker Brothers Game Ideas
• Boardgame Revolution’s List of Popular Board Games (there are some less traditional games on this list in case you want to think outside the game box)

Disclosure: As a 2013 Jump Back Ball blogger, I was invited to blog about the event in exchange for a ticket. I am also a member of PlayhouseSquare Partners, which hosts the event each year. Opinions here are my own.

Celebrate PlayhouseSquare’s next 90 years at Jump Back Ball

This year one of Cleveland’s landmark institutions is celebrating its 90th birthday. As the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York, PlayhouseSquare engages our community and attracts over one million guests each year to 1,000+ annual events.

But that wasn’t always the case.

Although PlayhouseSquare was downtown Cleveland’s cinematic and entertainment destination for many years, the post-WWII flight to the suburbs combined with a growing interest in tv, led to both the proverbial and literal wrecking ball landing at the door of PlayhouseSquare’s theatres.

Who saved PlayhouseSquare, though?

It’s an empowering story that exemplifies the resilient, passionate attitude I love about Cleveland. And on Thursday, Nov. 15, you can experience it when a new documentary on WVIZ/PBS tells the story of the volunteers, civic leaders and organizations who put PlayhouseSquare on its remarkable road to renewal.

Thanks to fundraisers like Jump Back Ball, PlayhouseSquare is able to provide arts entertainment and education for Northeast Ohio

Staging Success: The PlayhouseSquare Story blends nostalgic older films and photos with stunning new footage and interviews from the people that helped usher PlayhouseSquare into a new era.  It premieres Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8pm (encores: 11/16 at 9 p.m., 11/18 at 4 p.m. and 11/22 at 10 p.m.). Find your WVIZ/PBS channel at ideastream.org/programs/channel_guide.

While the Staging Success story has a happy ending, PlayhouseSquare still needs your support to continue this vibrant renaissance for future audiences.

Hands down my favorite way to support PlayhouseSquare’s mission is to snag a ticket to Cleveland’s craziest party – the 22nd annual Jump Back Ball on Feb. 23, 2013.

As much fun as I had planning last year’s Jump Back Ball, I’m ecstatic this year to have been selected as one of PlayhouseSquare’s Jump Back Ball bloggers.

Especially because this year’s Jump Back Ball co-chairs Maurie and Sam have picked a fantastic theme: Jump Back 2 Spaces, featuring decor, activities and surprises from some of your favorite board games.

Feb. 23, 2013 at PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre

Now you’re probably thinking – February 23 seems like it’s really far away.

However, as someone who has attended and volunteered for Jump Back Ball in the past, trust me when I say this: you want need to get your tickets now!

Fortunately, before you tune into Staging Success on Thursday night, PlayhouseSquare is hosting Jump Back Ball’s Kickoff Happy Hour.

Stop by the Market Garden Brewery from 5:30-7:30pm on Nov. 15 to enjoy free apps, drink specials and prizes. PLUS buy your tickets at the lowest price they’re ever going to be!

Enjoy a pint of Market Garden’s Festivus at the Jump Back Ball Kick Off

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

• You’ll save the most money. Attending the Kickoff Happy Hour is the only way to get tickets for $135 each. The price increase the next day by $20.
• 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 use it every year because breaking my purchase up over the course of 4 months makes it really easy on the bank account.
• Last year’s event sold out very early. If you want to go to Jump Back Ball, don’t wait — each year the event sells out earlier than the year before.  The earlier you purchase tickets, you’ll not just save money but also guarantee 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 will be transformed into an homage to board games like Monopoly, LIFE, Clue, and Candy Land, with guests invited to dress up either in their finest or a theme-inspired outfit.

My suggestion: Save even more on your ticket by becoming a PlayhouseSquare Partner. One of the many perks of the tax-deductible Partners membership (starting at $100 for 1-2 people) is you get to enjoy a ticket price of only $110 at the Kick Off (limit 2 tickets).

If you buy 2 tickets to Jump Back Ball at the Kick Off, the $50 difference between the regular price and the Partners discount makes up for half of your membership. While the other half is made up by the tax deduction, invitations to other social, networking and volunteer events and an assortment of other perks.

And the best part about buying a ticket to Jump Back Ball or becoming a member of Partners on Nov. 15? You can go home that night, tune into WVIZ and know you’re Staging the Success of PlayhouseSquare’s next chapter.

Keep an eye on Clue Into Cleveland and playhousesquare.org/jumpbackball over the next few months for more information about Jump Back 2 Spaces.

Disclosure: I was invited to blog about Staging Success and this year’s Jump Back Ball in exchange for one general admission ticket to Jump Back Ball 2012. I will also be attending an advance screening of Staging Success as both a blogger and PlayhouseSquare Partner. My opinions on Jump Back Ball, though, are always 100% my own. Aerial photo of PlayhouseSquare is courtesy of PlayhouseSquare.