Attorney Caitlin Goetz Co-Chairs SPAC’s Sold-Out Winter Ball

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (February 29, 2016) – On Saturday evening, February 27th, Attorney Caitlin Goetz, an Associate at Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., stood at the ballroom doors at the Hall of Springs anxiously awaiting the arrival of guests coming from near and far to attend The Party of the Century: A Black and Gold Masked Ball – the 2016 edition of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Junior Committee’s Annual Winter Ball.

For months, Goetz, along with her SPAC Winter Ball co-chair Samantha Kercull and the SPAC Winter Ball Committee, have been meticulously planning this celebration, which marked the official kickoff to SPAC’s 50th season.

As you would imagine, taking on a task to commemorate 50 years of arts, culture and tradition was not an easy feat. As a classically trained dancer, her love for the arts and for SPAC is what ultimately encouraged Goetz to take on the role as a co-chair for the event.

“As a former dancer, I know how lucky the Capital Region is to have an organization like SPAC in its own backyard,” said Goetz. “We have access to world class arts through SPAC and as a member of the community, I believe it is my job to ensure that SPAC has the necessary support and funding to continue into the future. SPAC is a vital resource in our community for children and adults alike. The Junior Committee’s Winter Ball is in its sixth year and has increased its fundraising annually with the proceeds going to support SPAC’s classical season and educational programs. So, when I was asked to co-chair this year’s Winter Ball, I jumped at the opportunity.”

The Party of the Century: A Black and Gold Masked Ball was an idea devised early on in the planning process by Goetz and Kercull. A theme inspired by Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Dance, the concept truly captured Goetz and Kercull’s vision for the celebration.

Capote’s party is known as the Last Great American Party – an event that if you were not invited to, you simply left town. The co-chairs wanted to create a party that would rival Capote’s – one so talked about that you absolutely could not miss it.

“This year’s event needed to kick off SPAC’s 50th anniversary year in a big way,” said Goetz. “Truman Capote’s party at The Plaza Hotel fifty years ago seemed like the perfect inspiration as it gave us a wonderfully elegant idea that we could put a golden twist on. Not to mention, some of the guests at Truman Capote’s party were at the opening of SPAC earlier that same year.”

To touch on SPAC’s golden anniversary, the co-chairs added a golden flare to Capote’s original theme. Guests were asked to dress in black and gold formal attire and to finish their look with masks.

The sold out event featured live music by Funk Evolution, tasty food from Mazzone, a variety of attractions including a photo booth, a caricaturist and tarot card reader, and countless raffles including items from local and statewide shops, eateries, bars and attractions. Event sponsors, which included Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., helped make the ball a great success.

“This year’s Winter Ball was a huge success,” said Goetz. It was a sell-out crowd with over five hundred guests. We exceeded our fundraising goals and raised over $50,000 for SPAC. It was an event that will be remembered and as a co-chair to this event, I could not be more grateful to everyone who attended, sponsored, and volunteered.”

The Party of the Century was one for the ages and a perfect introduction to what is sure to be an amazing 50th season at SPAC.