Hundreds of Violets braved the cold to attend the annual Violet Ball on Saturday, marking the end of Violet 100 — NYU’s official spirit week celebrating 100 days until commencement.
Organized by the Student Government Assembly, the celebration cost around $200,000, most of which went to securing its venue, Pier 60, including staffing, food and rental costs. The remaining budget went to booking DJ Zoobiana and securing Emergency Medical Services for the event, where alcohol was served.
Violet 100 committee chair Pat Apap took measures to ensure a smooth night. Having worked the event last year as vice chair, Apap told WSN that moving to online ticketing eliminated the need for the hundreds of physical sign-in spreadsheets, streamlining the check-in process.
Several food and drink tables were stationed throughout the banquet hall, each offering a diverse assortment of choices, including options for those with dietary restrictions. The dinner buffet included Cajun fried chicken and waffles, mushroom bolognese and caprese salad. The dessert bar contained mini cakes, tarts and mousses — a perfect treat between dancing bouts. Students who purchased the additional $20 alcohol ticket were given four coupons, which they could exchange for a drink of their choice at any bar in the hall.
The guest list extended beyond the student body, allowing for plus ones and alumni. Tandon alum Sri Pappoppula said her main incentive to return was the chance to dress up and catch up with her friends, despite the entry fee.
“For the location, the food and the drinks that we’re getting, I think it’s worth all the money,” Pappoppula told WSN.
Although many expressed excitement around the ball, some critiqued the lack of marketing and promotion for Violet 100 events.
“I personally heard about it through word of mouth,” Steinhardt first-year Adrina Fard told WSN. “If I hadn’t heard about it from my friends, then I wouldn’t have known about it because I would have had to scour through the websites.”
Still, the dance floor roared with a full house. Guests had their arms up to the sky and jumped to the beat of the music in tandem as DJ Zoobiana’s mixes reverberated through the halls. She played a mix of tracks ranging from club classics like Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” to crowd-pleasers like Justin Bieber’s “Baby.” For Fard however, the highlight of the night was ultimately the community around her.
“The music’s pretty good, but the people really make the place,” Fard said. “Having an excuse to stop studying for midterms and head out with a couple of friends is always a good idea.”
As Violet 100 came to a close, Apap wanted to cap off the week with a night to remember.
“My favorite part is seeing everyone here, happy, ready to have fun,” Apap said. “This is the big hurrah, the last thing we can do to say, ‘Have a great time, enjoy yourself as a student and just rock until the night ends.’”
Contact Suditi Sircar at [email protected].