Following on from the „where can I wear my tux thread“ from a couple of months ago, I was wondering if there would be any interest in an EF Summer Ball next year (assuming we have a summer of course)? I searched and couldn't find any similar threads. Mods as it isn't officially an event can you leave the thread here please.

I think it would have to take place in or near Zurich, as that’s where the largest number of EFers abode and it’s easy to get to from most parts of the country, on a Saturday evening.

At the moment I am just trying to gauge if there is enough interest and how much people would be prepared to pay for a ticket. I have some ideas for both numbers in my head, but would rather keep them to myself and see what the crowd has to say. If it seems like there is a good possibility of raising a reasonable budget in terms of heads and ticket price, I will start looking more seriously for venues/quotes etc and asking for people to join a committee to organise it. I’m not looking to make any money out of this, so all monies will be ploughed back into the event or potentially donated to a worthy cause of EF’s choosing.

My initial thoughts regarding what would be included in the ticket price would be:
Welcome drink
Four course dinner (starter, main, dessert, cheese)
Half a bottle of wine per person on the table for dinner
Band/DJ

Entertainment throughout the evening could include dancing, a pledges auction/raffle for charity, perhaps a speaker and some other ideas I have. Again dependant upon budget and Swiss prices!

Initial thoughts for the venue are a hotel, so that people who wanted to come from afar could stay over, however this has its drawbacks – namely the cost of a hotel room in Zürich is outrageous and there could be issues with not using their catering/bar exclusively (see below).

If there is enough interest to go forward, I will of course be contacting some of the obvious suspects regarding supplying to the event. For the guys who could be interested but don’t have a dinner suit/tuxedo and don’t want to buy one especially for the event, I would try and organise a group discount on hiring them. Ladies it is an excuse for a new frock.

So would you be interested? If so how many guests would you anticipate bringing (if any) and how much would you be prepared to pay per head for a well organised event with good food/drink/entertainment?

If you are going to do this and I would be interested , I would have a chat with Uncle Max about money and how to make the Ball not run at a loss. He tried the same thing with a Christmas party a few years ago. It was a great night but it ended up losing money.

Count me/us in, can I wear jeans ?

Get the money in advance. People - you'll be surprised how many - say they are coming and will pay on the door... then don't arrive.

Baby. Holding. The. Left. Be. You'll.

Ps, no Party by commitee either. Make a few calls, set an agenda, determine what's happening and where and tell people the details. And price. And payment options. Build it and they'll come.

Go for it.

cool idea count us in can i bring lot of guests?

Sounds fun.
And thanks for giving us a whole year to find a date. Speaking off... I just realized that there is a Dating Group in the community... it was always just a question of when...

Wouldn't dream of taking money on the door. How would we arrange the place names

It wouldn't be party by committee. I just think there will be a lot to organise, so it would be good to share the load.

So a few yes already but no one committing to a price?

So long as you have a dinner suit on top. Might be a bit warm in June though!

We would come, but no long winded speaker like at corporate Christmas parties, telling the room why they're all living their life wrong.

Definitely. How many are you thinking?

Of course. I hear Begga is looking for a date if you don't want to come alone though.

If there were to be a speaker and this is a big if, as someone decent costs a fortune, I was thinking along the lines of a comedian, sportsperson etc. Definitely no one heavy. And when I say comedian, I promise you it won't be Tony Blair!

I used to organise these sort of affairs. Would be happy to enjoy someone else doing it.

But of course, am happy to provide tips and lend my charm.

I thought he was an illusionist ?

A speaker you say...look no further than EF's own Uncle Bertrand?!

(Failing that then the Funny Laundry man might be able to find someone amusing, but I'm pretty sure worst case scenario Dean Gaffney will do it for a fiver and a Sherbert mix.)


Might I also suggest having a EF awards segment to the evening, Oscar's styleee?

The trolls can man the cloakrooms...

Does this mean that the trolls will be coming too?

Fab idea though. Any excuse for a new frock!

Sounds fabulous! red carpet...best dressed, worst dressed...paparazzi...the works.

If you find a room/hall without it's own in-house sound/light system I would be happy to use my 40% discount from the company I work for and I will tech the event for free.... it would be fun....

PS; forget the suit idea....informal is all I know....

Not sure i would have to know more details and ask my friends maybe 8

I could get a new frock but my other half would rather eat durian thorns than wear a tux (you couldn't even force him to wear one at our wedding).

Star wars fan and asking if singles can come. Is this correlation or causation?

See my answer regarding jeans.