Headlands Center for the Arts :: Mystery Ball 2008

So, what is so extra special amazing about this year’s Mystery Ball is that we have organized transportation for you ballers. Yes for the first time ever, you can roll up in style, comfort and safety for only $25 round trip! No need to draw straws for a designated driver or blow a lot more than this on a cab ride. Take advantage of the buses, leaving from central locations in both SF and Mill Valley. Check out the deets on the Shuttle Info link and be the hero of your posse by organizing everyone to take the shuttle.

Another new transpo bonus this year is that Area 51 donors will get their own private limo!! My friend’s company is sponsoring one and she and some coworkers will start the party with their custom pick up. Gather friends to make a super swank donation or talk to your company in case they are looking for a philanthropic way to thank their employees!

Either way, take advantage of our wheels so all you have to do is don your fake teeth or fluff your feathers (or both!) before hopping on the cool bus…

Your carriage awaits!

This is going to be my first Mystery Ball, and it should be yours too.

I was always one of those people who wondered about the MB, got excited when I heard it was coming up, and then dragged my feet on getting tickets until they were sold out. (Slacker.) Then, after the event, I heard from friends, newspapers, blogs, and all the cool kids at the park, about how frickin’ amazing it was – the costumes, the live music, the games, the food, the booze! “You should have been there!”

Not this year. I signed on early, helped plan the darn thing, and boy oh boy, am I excited to be going.

So, yes, as a committee member I am a bit biased this year in encouraging people to join me on the 25th at Headlands, but – really, honestly, this is your year to go. With all that’s happening in the world, the economy, the war… Alaska, I think we all need a good night to get into a costume, surround ourselves by incredibly talented, spirited, creative, renaissance types who have a zest for life, a passion for the arts, damn good dance moves, and who just straight out want to have a good time. Headlands is the place to get our groove back in 2008.

Now, I just have to figure out what to wear….

* Lily Abood, committee member

Headlands knew that this years entertainment line-up rocked, but are even more excited now that we just found out that three Mystery Ball 2008 performers are featured in SF Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay 2008.

Headlining band, King City, was nominated as Best Acoustic Band.

DJ Jimmy Love is part of a entertainment group Surya Dub, who got Best Ambassadors of Dread Bass.

And finally, one of the roaming circus performers we have on board for the ball comes from Vau de Vire, who recieved Best Circus Troupe. 

Read about them at sfbg.com and check out the rest of our amazing music and entertainment, including The Devilettes (pictured above) and Rube Waddell, here under See Offerings.

This year’s Ball o’ Mystery includes some incredibly rad art installations. Just to give you a taste, Michael Hall and Lisa Ricci are collaborating on a film noir-inspired double video projection for the outer faces of buildings 944 and 945. Lacey Jane Roberts is concocting a curtain made entirely of yarn-knit windsocks, and Whitney Lynn is building some customized forts to hang out in during the ball to help us get back to our military bunker roots. Christine Wong Yap and Joshua Churchill are creating moody atmospheres with sound and light that will totally transform the space. I could go on and on… these artists are going to knock your socks off. Or, if your costume doesn’t include socks, they’re seriously going to blow you away!

-Jess Brier, MB08 Committee Member

Still from Michael Hall and Lisa Ricci's site-specific video for Mystery Ball 08

Welcome to the Mystery Ball Blog, the first of its kind and the center for the latest and greatest on this exciting upcoming event. Mystery Ball is in its 13th year and is Headlands Center for the Arts’ biggest fundraiser, not to mention one of the most popular and talked about art events of the season. With music, performances, art installations, costumes, food and drinks, this party is sure to thrill. We will be using the blog to inform you about all of the details and suspense that lead up to the October 25th event including the inside scoop on participating artists, performers, bands, restaurants, chefs, and food vendors that will deck our party out. Be sure to check in weekly for the most up-to-date excitement.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the ball! 

P.S. Comments are highly encouraged. Have a Mystery Ball story that relates to a post, a question, or simply just want to give a shout out? Please feel welcome and free to do so by leaving a comment.

Check out some costumes from years past!