Big D clash with Summer Ball creates ticket doubts
After months of planning and preparation, the final details for the YUSU Summer Ball have been disclosed, amidst controversy over the scheduling of the event which is to take place the day before Derwent College’s flagship charity event Big D.
The scheduling clash has led to concerns that ticket sales for the events, both of which feature signed headlining acts and fairground rides, will be negatively affected.
YUSU Services officer, Nat Thwaites-McGowan, who is responsible for the booking of the Summer Ball, commented: “We had a choice of week ten or week 11. Were it week 11, students would have already left their houses and would have had to return for Summer Ball, and then again for graduation the week after. Week ten seemed the best all round and allowed after dinner tickets too.”
Thwaites-McGowan does not believe the proximity of the two events to each other will have any detrimental effect on ticket sales for either event.
“I think that Summer Ball is going to be a really strong event. Whether it will sell out I don’t know, but it should definitely break even. I’m offering as much help to Derwent as I can to make their event also a success.”
Big-D organiser Caroline Macfarlane said about the clash: “Ideally we would prefer it if there wasn’t an event in the same week, but Big D is going to be really amazing this year. Every year we sell out, it is the biggest event of term and the best event of term.”
Not everybody is confident that the event will be a sell-out however and there has been some reluctance from Commercial Services to allow Big D organisers use of both Derwent and Langwith facilities.
Bars and Licensing manager Andy Summers commented; “The reason for our concern is I do not feel that the event will sell out with Gradball being the day before.”
The Summer Ball which this year is open to all students, features the band Straight Outta Newport, Welsh rappers Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Abba tribute group Bjorn Again and York University’s very own Battle of the Band finalists The Love Apples.
Guests at the Summer Ball will be provided with a champagne reception, four-course meal and a chocolate fountain. A casino, racing games, dodgems, a carousel, waltzers and a free Survivors Photograph will also be on offer.
All night tickets are priced at £60, whilst after dinner tickets are just £30. Buy online now at www.yusu.org/summerball.
Louise
Bjorn Again - great but very expensive - for a more affordable Abba Tribute try Abba’s Angels!
David
I’m afraid you’re a little late.