Sat 5/4 @ 8PM
During the first half of the 20thcentury, Cleveland’s bohemian Kokoon Club featured a group of avant-garde artists who annually hosted “Bal Masque” celebrations that included eccentric costumes, exotic dances and oversized props.
Today, Ingenuity Cleveland is keeping the spirit of those unique costume parties from 100 years ago alive with its annual fundraiser, which boasts a motif tied to the fall arts, science and technology festival.
“Ingenuity Cleveland’s Dreamscape theme really is supposed to be an exploration of our city as it sort of has enjoyed this reawakening,” Ingenuity Cleveland artistic director Emily Appelbaum said. “The idea is that we have all shared subconscious hopes and dreams that were latent or ignored. This is a chance to see those yearnings come to life.”
As for the fundraiser, The Dreamer’s Bal — which is billed as the surreal creation of a living daydream — takes place on May 4 at IngenuityLabs in Cleveland’s Hamilton Collaborative.
The affair features a cornucopia of sounds (Revolution Brass Band, Moustache Yourself, Get Hep Swing, Uno Lady, Taylor Lamborn, SquareBiz) and experiences (pole and aerial dancers from Be Fitness and Viva Dance Studio).
“When people enter the space, they’ll encounter of all sorts of dream-like art installations — the idea of what your bed becomes while you’re asleep,” Appelbaum said. “So they’ll see floating pirate ships, submarines and a hot air balloon. They’ll be able to crawl under the bed to explore the nightmare realm.
“It’s lots of large-themed art installations that are able to be explored, big immersive art pieces. And we encourage costumes: costume of your dreams, whatever that means to you.”
The 21 and over event requires a $25 general admission ticket ($35 at door) and includes entry and food. VIP tickets are priced at $65 and include entry, food, two drink tickets, and extras.
While most fundraisers carry with them a high-ticket price, Appelbaum noted the Ingenuity Cleveland affair boasts a bigger mission.
“Yes, we’re raising money, but we do want to make it affordable to our entire public with the idea that artists do not always have hundreds of dollars to spend on a fundraiser ticket,” Appelbaum said. “We want the artist to get to mingle with the supporters of the art. Anybody can come, and once they walk in the door, you’re met with a tremendous array of music, art, local foods, tons of stuff to climb on and play in. It’s definitely not like any other gala event in town. This is a community celebration.”
As far as what Appelbaum plans to wear to the Dreamer’s Bal, well, she’s not talking. However, for the previous Bal Aquatique she dressed as a monstrous deep-sea mermaid. For Time Traveler’s Bal, she came ready to travel through time and space.
“It’s important actually regarding costuming to remind everybody the space can have an uneven floor, so high heels are discouraged and sturdy shoes are encouraged,” Appelbaum said.
“For the Dreamer’s Bal, costumes can be encourage everything from the fairytale trapping of knights and damsels to the comfiest of pajamas to the tastefully interpreted nightmare where people are in public wearing their underwear. We’d just love folks to come in costumes to The Dreamer’s Bal inspired by the things they see in their dreams.”
[Written by John Benson]
Cleveland, OH 44114