And what are the other sorts of events that are similar?  Since we are here to celebrate life, we’ll look at all kinds of events to help you choose which ones to attend.  Merriam-Webster defines “gala” as a festive celebration, and that’s a good place to start!

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Charity Ball

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One way for charities and non-profits to raise money is to put on a gala event where a substantial portion of the ticket price is really a donation to the cause.  In many cases, an auction (silent, live or both) will be incorporated into the event to raise additional money.  Or, sometimes the event includes a “casino night” where attendees pay to play, and receive donated prizes instead of cash winnings, all for the cause.  Charity balls are popular because it’s an opportunity to feel good about an over-the-top party.  In addition to supporting causes such as cancer research or education, advocacy groups also frequently schedule gala events.

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Awards Ceremony

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There are dozens of awards events every year. Of course, everyone knows the Oscars, but you can only get admission if you’re invited by the Academy, unless you are Brad Pitt’s date. If you’re interested in the performing arts, there are many awards events you can attend. For example, I love attending the Jeff Awards in Chicago. It’s a great gala, with an exciting show, and everyone is dressed to the nines. There is an after party, with fabulous food and drink, and it’s all for a good cause, supporting the theater community in the Chicago area, which definitely needs the support. Many awards ceremonies are recorded or televised, so attending is really an opportunity to be at the top of your game, looking your best, and meeting interesting people maybe even a few celebrities.

   

Conventions

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The annual convention or trade show is another category for hosting gala dinners.  Sometimes there is a charitable cause, or awards, but it’s mainly an opportunity for networking away from the office.  Trade associations are often built around an annual meeting, and the gala event usually concludes the meeting.  While some are open to the public, attendees usually have to belong to the organization or at least be registered to attend the convention.  While some are black tie, many of these are business dress or even business casual.

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Political events

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Fundraising for candidates and political parties often involves gala events.  The level of money pouring into politics is high, and that has generated hundreds of fundraising galas over the past few election cycles.  While many of these are black tie affairs, there are also less-formal events, and these are held in all fifty states.

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So how do I find an event to attend?

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One way to pick your party is to look at my event calendar.  I’ve listed some of the major events in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and across America and some of them have been rated by me as well.  Feel free to submit events to edie@galagirl.social for inclusion on the calendar! And be sure to sign up for my email list so you can be in the know...