It's almost time to put away the pens and pencils and step into the holiday season, full of excessive eating, competitive shopping and elegant parties.
UB's Student Association is holding its annual Winter Gala at the Buffalo Convention Center on Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The Winter Gala started in 1991 as a small event called the SA Christmas Party, and it has built up to an event that has around 800 to 1,000 people in attendance each year.
"SA noticed that there was a lack of semi-formal events on campus and Winter Gala was the answer to this," said Nischal Vasant, president of the UB Student Association. "There will be a 17-piece swing band followed by dinner and a DJ after dinner. Our Jam Club also plays in the lobby during the event."
Tickets are on sale at the SBI Ticket Office for $30. SA will also offer free transportation to and from the event. There will be pick-ups and drop-offs at Hadley Village, South Lake, Flint Loop, Ellicott, Governors, South Campus and Villas. Students can sign up for a bus in 350 Student Union.
"Winter Gala gives students an opportunity to relax and de-stress before finals week," Vasant said. "[The] Gala is an event that [is] planned over six months in advance. We had to book the Buffalo Convention Center over the summer, and we have already booked Samuel's Grand Manor for the Spring Gala."
The revenue gained from the event is thrown back into the SA's budget for other creative events later in the year.
"I think the event is a perfect way to close out the fall," said Steven Powell, administrative director of communication for SA. "In the midst of academic intensity, it gives students one last evening to look forward to. I've built my entire week's schedule around spending the 11th at Gala with my friends."
SA is currently working on a survey that will request student input on the Winter Gala as well as other SA events.
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