January 3, 2002

Fire & Ice: A Winter Ball at MASS MoCA on February 2

(North Adams, MA) MASS MoCA will offer a chance to celebrate ancient rituals in the best contemporary style on February 2 with Fire & Ice: A Winter Ball. Led by a dynamic gala committee that includes Governor Jane Swift, artist Jenny Holzer, actress Kate Burton and others, MASS MoCA's Winter Ball promises to be a memorable event and an important benefit for the museum's exhibition fund.

Since ancient times, February 2 (modern Groundhog Day) has been celebrated as a harbinger of spring and renewal. Falling halfway between Yule and the spring equinox, the date -- also called Candlemas -- involves ancient celebrations to banish the winter and welcome spring and new beginnings with fire, candles, and other symbols of the sun's rebirth.

"At the risk of seeming immodest, I'd say MASS MoCA's galas are legendary," said Joseph Thompson, MASS MoCA director. "Great music, non-stop dancing, elegant food and drink, all in our beautiful factory setting. This one promises to carry on a tradition started back in 1989 with our first Warehouse Ball, and the ticket price is the same as it was a dozen years ago."

The party starts at 8:30 P.M. when the Kit McClure Big Band, an all-woman group, takes the stage. With music ranging from traditional classic swing to contemporary jazz, rock, and R&B, the band played at President Clinton's inaugural ball and has toured with Robert Palmer and Cab Calloway. They have played at festivals around the world including Ottawa's International Jazz Festival, the Burghausen Jazz Festival in Germany, the Newark Jazz Festival, and the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz.

Kit McClure and her big band have received widespread critical acclaim including from The New York Times who said they had "unexpected freshness" and "crisp, swinging enthusiasm." The Hartford Courant said, "Right from its first number, the infectiously enthusiastic band delighted the crowd," and "Like big bands of old, the McClure Band revels in its show-biz, even campy side."

Tickets to the party are $75.

There will also be an elegant pre-gala dinner in MASS MoCA's galleries starting at 6:30 P.M. Tickets for the dinner, which includes tickets to the dance afterward, range from $250 to $500 with the latter including preferred seating at the dinner, priority acknowledgement in the evening program (a keepsake poster) and a special plate designed by artist Jenny Holzer. Tables of eight are also available for $4,000 and include eight Holzer plates.

A short break for the band will provide time for a live auction of several one-of-a-kind items as part of MASS MoCA's first-ever online fundraising auction. The auction, which will be available at www.massmoca.org/auction throughout the month of January, will include more than 20 items ranging from exclusive vacation rentals, to original artwork by some of today's hottest artists, to elegant dinners with celebrities. Eight of the items will be auctioned live at Fire & Ice. "Auctions are always fun and this is a great way to keep the excitement building during the band's break," said Jennifer Trainer, MASS MoCA's director of external affairs. "And if you've ever wanted to visit Mustique this is your chance!" MASS MoCA's first online auction site was developed by gala committee member Eyal Rimmon and created by Nick Branstator and Beth Budwig, all of RadioVoodoo, a Williamstown-based developer of interactive software for the radio industry.

The gala committee is chaired by Rachel and Jay Tarses and Penny and Joe Low. Gala committee members include: Joan Benjamin & Larry Cherkis, Joyce Bernstein & Larry Rosenthal, Susan & Duncan Brown, Sandra Burton & Don Quinn Kelley, Lisa & Michael Cushman, Delphine and Douglas Daft, John DeRosa, Penny & Foster Devereux, Maureen & Jack Dietze, Nancy Fitzpatrick & Lincoln Russell, Allan & Judy Fulkerson, Philip Glass, Michael Glier & Jenny Holzer, Susan Gold, Ginny & Clifford Granger, Judy & Bruce Grinnell, Joan & Jim Hunter, Tom & Phyllis Kelly, A.J. & Michael Meehan, Bill Miller & Talbot Logan, Lucy Holland Nader & Geoff Nader, Claire-Ann & Frank Oakley, Caroline & Bo Peabody, Eyal Rimmon & Pamela Nathenson, Michael Ritchie & Kate Burton, Deborah & David Rothschild, Philip Scaturro, Linda & Hartley Shearer, Jid & John Sprague, Brad Svrluga & Julie Bowen, The Honorable Governor Jane Swift & Charles Hunt, Jack & Susy Wadsworth, Bob & Jo Ann Werbel, Lillian & Gregory Whitehead, and Peter & Michele Willmott.

Fire & Ice: A Winter Ball is sponsored by Berkshire Gas, Hoosac Bank, Bennington Potters, and Classical Tents and Party Goods. Supporters include Banknorth Massachusetts, Arrow Press, and Springfield Printing. Benefactors are Alton & Westall Real Estate Agency, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and Transport the People.

Tickets for the gala and additional information about the auction are available by calling 413.664.4481 x8100. A printed list of all auction items is available from MASS MoCA and those who don't have internet access or who are not able to attend the gala for the auction of select items can enter proxy bids by calling the same number.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located on Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org