‘Fantasy & Fiction Gala’ to support Grand Rapids nonprofit

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Whether you’re into cosplay, superheroes or Renaissance Faires, an event happening in Grand Rapids will be sure to transport you to a place where imagination reigns.

Junior Chamber International South Kent is hosting its first “Elegance in Disguise: Fantasy & Fiction Gala” on Thursday, Oct. 24.

“The idea behind it is that anything that you want to dress up as, if you cosplay in a certain, superhero or anime, or maybe you like going to Ren Faires and being a fairy, you could come to this gala in whatever costume you have, but in formal wear. So, what would Princess Peach look like if she wore a full-on gala dress? Or what would Han Solo look like if he wore a tuxedo?” said JCI South Kent vice president Sandra Brinks.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit, which welcomes members between the ages of 21 and 40, providing opportunities to develop leadership skills through community service and hosting community events. “Jaycees” plan, implement and volunteer in projects like the Santa parade, Special Olympics Michigan basketball tournament, cookies with Santa, an Easter egg scramble, stuff the bus and more.

“A lot of people in our organizations are a little nerdy and we decided to go with that and run an event that was fun for us and hopefully we can lure more people like us together and just have a good time,” said JCI South Kent president Ray Russell.

The gala will be hosted at City Flats Ballroom in downtown Grand Rapids from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and will feature performances, a lightsaber demonstration, costume contest, a magician, a certified mermaid, a DJ, dancing and silent auction.

“We have donations from DeVos Performance Hall, a concert, and we also have donations from The 12th House, The Art of Life, Rebounderz and The Great Escape Room,” Russell said.

All ages are welcome to attend the event and alcohol tickets will be available for those ages 21 and up. Attendees are encouraged to dress in formal attire with a twist of fiction or fantasy.

“It’s a night that you can be who you are and meet people who have similar interests,” said Brinks. “It’s going to be a room full of a bunch of nerdy people who just love to dress up so you’re not alone. Meanwhile, it’s also again for a good cause, it’s to help our nonprofit so any money that we raise whether through ticket sales or through the live auction it’s going to go back into the community next year so we can put on more events.”

More information about the event and a link to purchase tickets can be found here .

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