Interviews & Articles
Interviews & Articles About the 2009 Ball
The Michigan Witches' Ball is becoming quite popular these days. We have had three requests to be interviewed on Podcasts and two print interview requests. These are the ones that have been completed so far.
Show 06-10-09
Tonight we talk about the results from our orb project and we talk with Gordon Ireland one of the people heading up The Michigan Witches Ball.
We have two very special guests on this episode. Gordon and Paula Ireland stops by and we all get to talk about the Michigan Witches Ball. We start by talking about its history. Then we lead into what's happening this year at the ball. We finish off the show with some ideas into the future of the ball and how it shall only get better and better with time.
http://www.magicktaboo.com/episodes/magicktaboo_show101.mp3
Annual Ball offers a bewitching time
By Colette Anne Gehr
Times have certainly changed since the 1970’s when the mere mention of “witches” conjured up images of either “Samantha” from Bewitched or even worse, the “Wicked Witch” from The Wizard of Oz. Yet, it is time to throw out that notorious stereotype once and for all and really experience a Pagan party like never before by celebrating unified living at the annual Michigan Witches Ball. “You can expect to have an incredible time with a group of wild and crazy people, “ says Claudine Durham, ball council member. “You cannot beat the deal of $30 for all you can eat and drink, as well as an evening out with old friends and new acquaintances.”
Thirteen could end up being a lucky number for attendees of Michigan’s most exclusive event being held on Saturday, October 17 from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. in Centerline, Michigan. With “Pagan Vegas” being this years’ theme, prizes donated by sponsors will be on hand for those who try out their luck. Ball goers will be treated to a full course meal, an open bar, and infinite dancing to an eclectic mix of music spun by renowned DJ John Bommarito, all for the reasonable ticket price of $30. Dress code ranges from formal gown and tuxedo to theme outfits and topping off the merriment of the night is the crowning of King and Queen.
In addition, a 50/50 drawing is being held with proceeds going to the Tempest Smith Foundation (TSF) whose primary focus is raising money for college scholarships to give to local area students. As a not-for-profit venture, with a large majority of the funds being raised from over 35 generous sponsors, the Michigan Witches Ball previously known as Cov42 Productions and reported to be the only such ball of its kind in the state, in which many consider worthy of the travel involved. “Over the years as the ball has grown, we are no longer a group of friends putting on a party but a community event that serves not only Michiganders, but has attendees from surrounding states and Ontario,” adds Gordon Ireland, council member.
According to legend, the ball began in 1996 as an intimate celebration financed largely by one of the founding members luck with the lottery. However, the small group has now grown to a council of many to which much of the success of the ball can be attributed to their sincere dedication and planning. “The ball is set up in such a way that even if all the original members leave it will still be going on, hopefully for a long time,” says Ireland. “As we say, no one person is bigger than the ball.”
Now due to overwhelming popularity, 300 Pagans and Non-Pagans of all spiritual practices coming together are expected. “I have been going to the ball for six years and the energy at the ball is so pure and electric that you cannot help but have an absolute blast,” says Kelly Concord, member of Pagan Center, a group that collectively attends each year. “For anyone who has never gone, I strongly encourage they go, Pagan or not. Everyone is there to have a good time and is so open and accepting of everyone else, it is just really awesome.” Last years’ Queen, Lora Robertson, concurs, adding, “I have met quite a few people who don’t follow a Pagan path at the ball. It’s a great night out no matter what your beliefs.”
Reflective of a favorite time of year, the festivities commemorate Samhain which traditionally occurs the end of October. This festival begins at sundown on October 31 and celebrates the end of the harvest season, which serves as a cyclical model of the doorway between light and dark seasons; a belief held by many Pagans. However, the ball is generally held a couple weeks before so those who do engage in rituals will not miss out on the event.
For the inexperienced, “Pagan” comes from the Latin word for civilian or rustic and has been reputed to mean “people adoring Goddess and nature.” Paganism is a broad spirituality of experience rather than one based on a faith of standardized principles. It is practiced in modern times as an alternative to more traditional religions such as Christianity and Islam. Current devotees include wiccans, witches, druids, shamans, goddess worshippers, and nature mystics, as well as those preferring not to be categorized with a label. Their ancestral links back to ancient history within a variety of cultures such as Egyptian, Celtic, Greek, Latin and Native Americans.
Embrace individuality from a variety of dimensions and step out to this years’ Michigan Witches Ball for what could be a very bewitching time. If one plays their cards right, who knows what magic can be found out this revered ball. After all, it’s Vegas, baby.
For more details or information on remaining tickets, visit www.michiganwitchesball.com
Colette Anne Gehr is a freelance writer based on the West coast of Michigan who specializes in feature writing outside of the box and is currently finishing up an inspirational memoir.
See What Motor City Pagans is Saying About Us
13 years and getting better each year
by
Robin Zajicek
http://motorcitypagans.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=1
Each October, The Michigan Witches' Ball Welcomes Pagans, Witches, Druids, Goths, Vamps, Faerie Folk, Magickal Folk, Indigos & Urbanites to come out and celebrate our favorite time of year. The Michigan Witches' Ball 2009 (now it is 13th year) is the event for Michigan Pagans, with over 250 people attending yearly. Pagans and Non-Pagans from all walks of life and all spiritual practices coming together - and for one moment in time, are united with a night of feasting, drinking and dancing the night away.
It has been over a decade since the members of the Covenette and Pack42 banded together to put on the first ball (circa 1995). In 1999 the union of two sister covens formed Cov/42 Productions. This joining allowed the Witches' Ball tradition to continue and grow into the amazing event that it is.
This event that grew from friends gathering together to celebrate, has become something the community comes together for each year. Every year brings something new and a theme that drives the event on into a unique direction. Over the years, as the ball has grown, we are no longer a group of friends putting on a party but a community event that serves not only Michiganders, but has attendees from surrounding States (Midwest) and Ontario.
The Michigan Witches' Ball is a Semi-Formal to Formal attire event as we as pagans rarely get a chance to dress in our absolute finery and strut our stuff. The night festivities include dancing the night away, electing the King and Queen of the Ball along with many donated prizes from our generous sponsors being raffled throughout the night.
The Witches' Ball 2009 is run by a committee made up of committed folks from the Metro Detroit Area Alternative (Pagan) Spirituality Community. As our community has changed so have we. And now we are starting a new chapter in the story. We have had some members come and go and have restructured and formed a new venture known simply as The Michigan Witches' Ball.
The Ball's current committee is made up of the following:
Your 2009 Michigan Witches' Ball Committee
Andy Kennedy - Founding member
Toby Wolff - Founding member
Christine Wolff - Founding member
Stacey Kennedy
Paula Ireland
Gordon Ireland
Renee Graham
Claudine Durham
Arwen Starda
Robin Zajicek
The Michigan Witches' Ball is a not-for-profit venture, with a large majority of the funds to put on the ball being raised from our very generous sponsors. The Michigan Witches' Ball is very grateful to have so many fantastic sponsors for our 2009 event. Their sponsorships allow us to continue to improve our efforts in assisting us in keeping our ticket prices low and affordable for our attendees. In thirteen years we have only have had to raise ticket prices one time.
Speaking of sponsors we would like to take this moment to thank all of them. To all our supporters we would like to say "Thank You!" Your support allows us to continue put on the best Pagan Party in the Midwest. You can go here to see a complete listing
To our Attendees. We welcome you to enjoy yourselves. This night is for our community and for each of you. Celebrate this night, celebrate friendships new or old, celebrate the community you are apart of. You are the spirit of the ball! So in honor of all of you, those of us that have come and those that have gone, to each that has celebrated with us.
On behalf of the Michigan Witches' Ball we would like to invite you to the 2009 Michigan's Witches' Ball. Come eat, drink and be witchy as we celebrate the holiday season.
You can visit http://michiganwitchesball.com/ball for more information about this year's ball October 17th, 2009.
