Awesomely Adult Prom
More style, less angst. But points if you dress like Ducky.
Ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time and redo your high school prom, but this time without the nerve-wracking search for a date or ridiculous cost of a five-minute limo ride?
Well, that's just what the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy aims to do on Saturday, May 29 -- give Albany adults the chance to get down, give back and leave the stress out.
ASAP, in addition to its two newly formed affiliate chapters, the all-female ASAP Daisies and Saratoga Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy, is organizing the "Awesomely Adult Prom," which will be held at St. Joseph's historic cathedral. Proceeds will be divvied up between the nonprofit and St. Joseph's, an 1860 Gothic masterpiece that has a spot on the National Registry of Historic Places and is being restored by the Historic Albany Foundation.
While ASAP is best-known for hosting events such as the Santa Speedo Sprint and a world record-setting dodgeball match, organizers say they wanted to try something different this time around. Because prom is something many people look back on and wish they could have enjoyed or done differently, writes Daisies vice president Chrissie Carino, attending an adult prom is a chance for 20- and 30-somethings to get a do over.
"[For] those who had a terrible time at their prom, this is definitely an opportunity to create new memories," Carino told AOA. "Now you're no longer too scared to ask out the hot chick, you won't get in trouble for spiking the punch and you likely don't have to worry about losing your virginity."
OK, maybe some of us are still afraid to ask out the hot chick, but as ASAP founder Jasen VonGuinness points out, "You don't need a date. You can find your date there."
ASAP is printing 400 tickets for the event (about 70 have sold so far) and there will be a dance floor in the main space of the cathedral with a DJ spinning on the altar and pews rearranged into seating areas. Organizers are rolling out a white carpet to greet guests and wrapping twinkling white lights around the church's interior columns. A photographer will be on hand to take glamour shots and in light of the recent fire, staff from the Lark Tavern will be tending bar, serving $3 wine and beer from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Attendees will vote for the king and queen of the prom and the playlist will include new and old prom favorites. Think Phil Collins meets Zack and Kelly's last dance on Saved by the Bell, writes SSAP president Rob Immel.
Tickets can be purchased for $20 each at the Historic Albany Foundation at 89 Lexington Ave. Be sure to come dressed to impress. If you've got an 80s gown hanging in your closet, here's a chance to put it to good use. If not, a black dress will do. Jasen says some of the guys are wearing tuxes but renting them is not a must. Just have fun and be comfortable without spending a fortune.
Oh, and be careful not to stick anyone with the boutonniere!
Find It
St. Joseph's Cathedral
38 Ten Broeck St.
Albany, NY 12210
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Comments
It's like the answer to my prayers! The real question, though, is who's hosting the after-prom party at their parent's lake house?
... said Siobhan on May 20, 2010 at 11:01 AM | link
And similar to High School, I wasn't going to go unless I had a date. Lucky for me I do!
... said Lola on May 20, 2010 at 11:10 AM | link
Please limit tux ties to one at a time. That tie should be a bow tie.
... said Erik on May 20, 2010 at 11:21 AM | link
Oh my gosh, why is everything I want to do on the 29th?!
This sounds awesome. I am just pouting b/c I can't go.
... said Albany Jane on May 20, 2010 at 11:52 AM | link
thanks again to AOA for all the support, super appreciated in awesometown.
hope to see you all there!!!
... said JVG on May 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM | link
I really want to go to this. Is it going to be 80's and 90's music?
... said Summer on May 20, 2010 at 1:18 PM | link
Are they still doing the "bring a dress to donate and get $10 off" thing? Jasen, do they have to be prom dresses, or are cocktail/semi-formal ok?
... said Jessica R on May 20, 2010 at 5:40 PM | link
@Summer
the music will be all over the place and keeping everyone pumped all nite.
@Jess
since we hooked up with the folks at HAF, we're concentrating all our efforts into raising funds for them.....so we dropped the dress portion of it awhile back, sorry!
... said JVG on May 21, 2010 at 8:51 AM | link
It's so cool to see an event like this be able to adaptively reuse the old St. Joseph's Church.
Just to be clear, St. Joe's was never a cathedral. That word comes to us from Latin and it means the seat of the bishop.
We've had the same Catholic cathedral in Albany since 1852, the second oldest in the country.
Interestingly enough, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has been scheduled to reopen to the public after extensive renovations this very same weekend.
... said Ed on May 26, 2010 at 2:19 PM | link
@Ed, we also have the Cathedral of All Saints, but it's Episcopalian.
http://www.cathedralofallsaints.org/
... said Summer on May 26, 2010 at 4:02 PM | link