St. Nicholas Ball promises Rock, pop and student royalty
By Lucia Udvardyová
Staff Writer
For the first time, AAU students will have a chance to enjoy themselves at a ball organized by the school. A St. Nicholas Ball -- named for holiday that takes place the same weekend -- is set for the evening of Sunday, December 7, at Prague's Manes Club.
Students, alumni, staff and others connected with the school are invited to attend.
One of the main attractions of the ball will be a drawing in which students can win a free course for one semester. Winners can transfer their course to someone else if they wish to do so.
The Okiii Band and the Syrinx Quintet will provide the music. The Okiii Band, whose varied rock-pop repertoire is aimed at younger generations, will play “popular Czech and foreign melodies,” said Helena Markusova, head of public relations and recruitment at AAU. The Syrinx Quintet plays classical music likely to appeal to the older generation, she said.
Refreshments, included in the price of the ticket, will be available throughout the ball. Chicken rolls, ham, fish, or the popular pub meal “Utopenec” will be among the food offered. Ball participants will have to buy their own drinks.
The event will culminate in the election of the “Queen and King” of the ball.
The event shouldn't harm AAU´s budget. Ticket sales are expected to pay the costs, said Markusova. Manes, Prague´s renowned multimedia facility, was provided free of charge to AAU, she said. The musicians will play for a "symbolic“ fee, she added.
Markusova said organizing a ball for students was one of the first ideas she had after taking her job as AAU. Her decision to invite the Czech media as well has, however, prompted some criticism.
The ball " seems like a project of advertising, not an activity for students,“ said Mirka Klenova, president of the student council.
Would the fact that some media would be present at the ball discourage students from going? "I don´t think it would affect my decision at all,“ said Kevin Fitzpatrick, an American exchange student.
Jakub Janata and Marketa Fischerova, both in their third year at AAU, agreed that media presence wouldn´t dissuade them from attending the ball.
Markusová said that she invited only two journalists, one of whom already apologized for not being able to come. "The ball is for students," she said. "I hope students will come."
Tickets, priced at 150 Kc, are available at AAU reception this week, and will also be sold at the Manes cloak room from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the night of the ball. Festivities will begin at 8 p.m. and last until 2 a.m. The club's address is Masarykovo Nabr. 250, Prague 1.
-- Lucia Udvardyova can be reached at LCIA8@hotmail.com.
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Last issue date: Dec. 12, 2003
