Presidents’ Ball performances to highlight student talent

By ANYA ZENTMEYER

Updated: January 30, 2013, 6:48 PM

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GVL / Bo Anderson

Students and faculty dance the night away at the 2012 Presidents Ball.

GVL / Bo Anderson

Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom

GVL / Bo Anderson

DJ Mark Witz plays the hits during the 2012 Presidents Ball

GVL / Bo Anderson

President Hass addresses the crowd at the 2012 Presidents Ball.

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This year at the Grand Valley State University Presidents’ Ball, get ready to let the good times roll.

The 27th annual ball, organized by the Student Senate, will wind back time to the 1950s, and dress up the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids to match. With three different rooms to match three different moods, each room is packed with entertainment for event-goers, featuring the familiar faces of GVSU student organizations.

CrossBow, a 13-member Celtic group made up of GVSU students, will perform a 1950s medley for dinner guests, followed by a vocal performance by alumnae Erica Marshall in the American Bandstand-themed ballroom. Also during the dinner program, Grand Valley Television, better known as GVTV, will show a video montage made specifically for Presidents’ Ball guests.

“Every year, we try to incorporate different student groups – we don’t like to use the same ones twice,” said Ali Zimmer, chair of the Presidents’ Ball Planning Committee. “I think it’s a good way that the faculty and staff can appreciate what the students are doing and it’s more up close and personal.” The lower level of DeVos Place will house the Doo-Wop Soda Shoppe, which will pair soda fountain drinks, tailor-made by the ball’s “cappuccino man,” with a candy buffet and hamburger sliders for guests to snack on.

Upstairs, Louie’s Jazz Lounge will bring a low-key, relaxed feel to the dance floor, sponsored by the Performing Arts Council. Members of the GVSU Swing Dance Club will be there not only to perform, but also to teach swing dance moves to attendees while the Grand Valley Jazz Band sets the mood with nostalgic jazz tunes.

“(Student groups will perform) not just through the dinner program, but they will be performing through the evening,” Zimmer said. “I think it’s nice because then different students can come for different reasons.”

This year, the planning committee booked three photo booths for students to capture the moment with. Zimmer said the photo booths have been so popular in the past, they decided to bring in more than they’ve had in pervious years.

Tickets are $15 for general admission. Dinner and dance tickets are $30, and both are available at the 20/20 Desk up until the day of the event.

Tickets will not be sold at the door, and students should bring a valid photo ID for admission. For dinner guests, cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Dancing starts at 8:30 p.m. and continues through 12:30 a.m., but doors close at 11 p.m.

For more information, visit gvsu.edu/presidentsball
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Published January 30, 2013 News