Frequently Asked Questions About The Witches Ball

Subject: Attendees
Q: Who can come to The Witches Ball?
A: You do not have to be Pagan to come to the ball. This is a public event and all are welcome. Last year Pagans and non-Pagans alike came from all over California to dance at The Witches Ball. This year we expect to see even more people attend the ball in San Jose, including attendees who plan to come in from Washington and Oregon.

Subject: Attendees under age 18:
Q: How old to you have to be to go to the Witches Ball?
A: People aged 12 and above are very welcome to attend. This is a family friendly event and young people are very welcome here. However, due to the lateness of the hour, the loudness of the music and the large crowd we do ask that children under the age of 12 be left at home.

PLEASE NOTE: Children under age 18 who attend the Ball are the sole responsibility of their parents or guardians.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: We keep our ticket prices as low as possible so that most people can afford to come, therefore; we cannot afford to offer further discounts and tickets prices are the same for everyone, no matter their age.

Subject: Cloak Room
Q: Do you have a Cloak Room?
A: Yes, we will have a staffed Cloak Room available where you can leave your evening bag, cloak or coat.

PLEASE NOTE: Space in the Cloak Room is limited, so we will only be able to hold your personal items. If you want your purchases held, you will need to make that arrangement with the Vendor(s) in question (please see "Holding Items Purchased At The Ball").

The Cloak Room will be free this year because the Center has one in place and we won't have to rent racks as we did at last year's venue.

Subject: Dance Music
Q: What sort of music will we dance to?
A: Anything you like. YOU choose the music. If you click on the site button titled MUSIC you will see a general list of the sort of music our Dj will play. You can add your own suggestions by clicking on the email address listed there. Write to Corvid, our Chief Bard, and tell him what you'd like to dance to.

The music selection we offer is always eclectic. We usually play three songs in any one genre and then move on to another sort. So you might be dancing to Celtic music for three songs, then switch to Rock and Roll and then switch again to Techno and then on to Oldies, Hip Hop, R&B, Waltz music or Swing - whatever you want. Our goal is to keep the joint jump'n all night long.

We have a wonderful professional Dj working with us this year. He has an extensive play list of both Pagan and non-Pagan music that will keep you all moving. Much of the Pagan dance music (12 CDs worth) has been culled and donated by our hard working Bards here at Full Circle.

Subject: Date & Time
Q: When is The Witches Ball?
A: The Witches Ball will take place on Saturday, October 20th. The Vendor's Room will be open from 6 PM till Midnight. The dance itself will go from 7 PM until The Witching Hour.

Subject: Dress
Q: Whatever shall I wear?
A: The Witches Ball is a costume ball and we present a different theme every year. Advice on what to wear can be found by clicking on the button titled DRESS.

Subject: Entertainment:
Q: Will there be entertainment at the ball?
A: Yes, we will have two, very talented belly dancers who will perform for us this year.

Opening the Witches Ball will be Jamaica Sinclair, a noted belly dance teacher and performer based in Carmel. Jamaica will perform for us in the performing in the Caberet style. Jamaica teaches students and performs througout the Monterey peninsula. If you are interested in taking classes or in hiring her to perform, she can be reached at (831) 372-6837 or by email.

Performing prior to presentation of the Gaia’s Guardian Award will be Kajira Djoumahna, a well known belly dance teacher and performer based in Santa Rosa. Kajira will be dancing with some of her troupe from United We Dance in the Tribal Dance style. Kajira can be reached for questions about her classes, her store and her troupe via her website or by calling 707-546-6366.

Jamaica and Kajira will also have middle eastern clothing, jewelry and gifts available for sale at the ball.

Subject: Event Description
Q: What exactly is The Witches Ball?
A: The Witches Ball is a Costume Ball, a Charity Event and a Pagan Pride Event all rolled into one. It is held every year in October. TWB also offers entertainment and a Vendor's Room where you can visit with friends and shop for that special gift. We also present the Gaia's Guardian Award at this event.

Subject: Event Site
Q: Where does the Ball take place?
A: The 2001 Witches ball takes place at the Scottish Rite Center in San Jose. The address is 2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose, CA, 095125.

The ballroom itself has a stage and a wooden dance floor and it is constructed on three levels so that everyone can see and be seen. It will hold up to 800 people easily. We will have tables and chairs scattered all around the ballroom and in the Vendor's Room so that people can sit and watch the crowd, as well as dance. The Vendor's Room is next door to the ballroom. It is divided from the ballroom by a large accordion-style wall thus making it possible for the Vendors and their customers to hear the music coming from the ballroom itself.

The Scottish Rite Center sits on top of a hill and it part of a complex owned by the Masonic Order. The Scottish Rite Center is easily accessible from Highway 101 or Interstate 280. It is located between the Almaden Expressway and Highway 87. As a result, it is very easy to get to from different parts of the Bay Area. It is also within is easy access to a number of hotels and restaurants in the area. The Center also has is plenty of free parking outside and plenty of bathrooms inside.

You will find a map and directions to the Center on their website.

If you have any questions about the Center or need further directions to the ball, please call us at the Full Circle number, which is 408-224-4625 or write to us. Please DO NOT call the Scottich Rite Center -- they charge us $100.00 extra if they have to field too many phone calls.

Subject: Food & Drink At the Ball:
Q: Can we buy food and drinks at the ball?
A: Yes, you can. We interviewed several groups interested in becoming our Food Vendor this year and we have chosen to work with a Hawaiian Dance Group. They, in turn, are working with a wonderful restaurant in Saratoga to provide food for sale at the ball. They will offer both vegetarian and meat based treats as well as healthy and decadent snacks for sale. They will also offer bottled water, sodas, fruit juices and coffee for sale at the ball

Some folks have asked if we ever plan to cater the ball and offer food for free. The answer to that is "no" because catering is very expensive. If we catered the ball, the price of tickets would have to be $140.00 each. Those of you who have ever paid for a wedding will know whereof I speak.

Some people have offered to donate homemade goodies for us to offer for sale at the Ball. To them we say a sincere "Thank you". However, we are unable to accept their kind offers because Full Circle is not a professional caterer and does not have a food license. Selling cooked or baked food without a license violates the Health Code and is against State Law. It is also against the rules set down by our insurance company. While the Powers That Be don't usually bother about a small bakesale put on by a local group they would be very unhappy if a group like ours tried to sell homemade items on this large a scale to the general public.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not intend to sell or serve alcohol at The Witches Ball.

Subject: Funding & Costs
Q: What does all this cost and where does the money come from?
A: The Witches Ball will cost approximately $12,000 to put on this year. Our various Council Members put up the initial amount (about $9,000) needed to rent the space and pay for equipment, decorations, the Dj, insurance, and so forth and then we spend the rest of the year hoping we'll get our money back. None of us are rich and we're not making any money from this (or any other) Full Circle Event.

Our Council Members, Committee Chairs, Artists, Web Builders, Operations Staff and Promotions Staff work hundreds of hours for free in order to make this event happen. We all do this because we feel it's important to give back to the community as a whole.

Our funding comes from ticket sales, the sales of Vendor tables, sales from ad space on our website and from our various Sponsors.

Subject: Gaia's Guardian Award
Q: What is the Gaia's Guardian Award?
A: The Gaia's Guardian Award is an annual award that is presented by Full Circle to a person (or group) who has done work benefiting the earth and her creatures. For more information on the Award, as well as past and present recipients, please click on the AWARD button.

Subject: Holding Items Purchased at the Ball
Q: I want to dance, as well as shop. What will I do with my items once I've purchased them?
A: If you wish you can leave your purchase items with the Vendor(s) in question and call for them when you leave. Or you can lock your purchases in your car. We will have a large and experienced Operations Staff inside the Center and in the parking lot next door. They will be happy to escort you to and from your car, should you so wish.

Subject: Hotels and Motels
A: We want to stay overnight in San Jose. Where should we go?
Q: San Jose has a great many hotels and motels in varying price ranges. Many of these are located near the Scottish Rite Center. We recommend that you check out the Silicon Valley City Search website. It lists hotels by neighborhood and by price and will have all the information you will need to find a great place to stay in San Jose.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are searching by neighborhood, the Scottish Rite Center is located in the neighborhood of Almadan.

These four hotels are located off of Highway 87 and they are very near the Scottish Rite Center:
Crown Plaza (the one near Highway 87) - 408-998-0400 - A Full Service Holiday Inn
The Fairmont San Jose - 408-9981900 - A romantic, luxury hotel
The Hilton - 408-287-2100 - A very nice hotel
Holiday Inn Express (off of Monterey Ave) - 408-279-6600 - Business Class - nice, no frills.

Other websites to check for lodging:
Best Western
Motel 6

Subject: Items for Sale at the Ball
Q: What will Vendors offer for sale in the Vendors Room?
A: We try to have a wide range of unique items available for our attendees. The Vendors Room at present offers jewelry, masks, cloaks, costumes (all kinds), beaded bags, cast iron cauldrons, candles, crystals, scarves, textiles and many other unusual gifts.

The wide range of designs we offer includes Celtic, Pagan, Fantasy, Nordic, Egyptian, Middle Eastern, Asian, African and Nature Based designs.

Prices can range from $7 for a silver pendant to $300 for a handmade velvet cloak so we suggest that you bring your checkbook and some ready cash.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all Vendors are able to accept Charge Cards.

You will have plenty of time to shop both before and during the Ball as the Vendors Room is open from 6 PM to 11:30 PM.

The Witches Ball is great chance to purchase wonderful gifts and to support local artists, craftspeople and Pagan vendors. We think you'll find something for everyone on your holiday list (including yourself).

Subject: Number of Attendees
Q: How many people come to the Ball?
A: Last year's Ball was a "Sell Out" with 350 attendees and 10 Vendors. This year we have a much large space and we expect to sell between 500 - 600 tickets. We will also add to the number of Vendors in our Vendor Room.

Subject: Paganism
Q: What's a Pagan?
A: There are lots of answers to that question. In general in can be said that Pagans practice Nature Spirituality. Each Pagan follows their own unique spiritual path in connection to the Earth, the Elements and the turning of the Seasons. Most Witches identify as Pagan but not all Pagans describe themselves as Witches. There exist many different Paths and Traditions among modern Pagans and this adds richness and diversity to our spiritual community.

You can find more information on Pagans and Paganism on the LINKS PAGE on our Full Circle website.

Subject: Pagans & Animals
Q: Why do you donate money to the Humane Society?
A: Most Pagans have pets (all kinds) and we tend to be big animal lovers. A good example of this would be the wonderful page at The Witches Voice called The Cats of Witchcraft.

Many Pagans in our community do animal rescue work (both wild and domestic) and many more work to protect and heal the environment in some way. We believe that nature is sacred and that it is our duty care for Mother Earth and her creatures. Full Circle gives money to the Humane Society, in particular, because they do such wonderful work in rescuing lost, orphaned or abused pets in our neighborhoods. They also offer low cost spay and nueter clinics as well as vaccinations and testing. They investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty and they educate the public on animal care. Best of all, they adopt out thousands of animals each year to good homes. More information on the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley web site.

We hope that events like The Witches Ball will inform more people about the truth; which is that Pagans love and protect animals.

Subject: Parking
Q: Where can we park and how much will it cost?
A: There are 3 parking lots within the Temple complex itself. These are next to the Scottish Rite Center. These parking lots are well lit at night and they are all on one level (which makes patrolling and guarding them much easier). Parking is free and there is plenty of parking for all.

For the sake of the environment, we ask that you carpool.

For your own safety and the safety of others, we ask that you choose a Designated Driver for the evening - Please do not drink and drive.

Subject: Organizers
Q: Who puts on The Witches Ball?
A: The Witches Ball is organized and hosted by Full Circle Events. FCE is a non-profit Neo-Pagan group that plans events for the Earth Wise Community. Full Circle is staffed entirely by volunteers. For more information on Full Circle please read the front page of the website. For more information on our other EVENTS and our COUNCIL, please click on the buttons under those same names.

Subject: Photos at the Ball
Q: Can I get my picture taken at the ball?
A: Yes, we will have a team of professional photographers at this year’s ball. They can take a picture of you or your group in front of a beautiful background and then make the photo print for you on the spot. The cost is $15 for one 5x7 photo print or two for $25.00. Each photo print comes in it’s own protective folder and has “Witches Ball 2001” printed on the bottom.

These photographers also do wonderful fairy photo portraits of children. You can see samples their work on their website.

Subject: Prices for Tickets:
Q: How much do tickets cost?
A: Ticket Prices are as follows:

• May 1 - June 15th tickets are $25.00 each.
• June 16th - July 31st tickets are $30.00 each.
• August 1st - October 19th tickets are $35.00 each.
• October 20th - Tickets purchased at the door are $40.00 each.

Those of you who purchase tickets early in the year will be helping us to fund The Witches Ball when we need money the most so we offer our Early Birds a lower ticket price as our way of saying "Thank you!"

PLEASE NOTE: We work very hard to keep ticket prices as low as possible so that the majority of those in the Earth Wise Communtity can attend. As a result, we cannot afford to further lower the price of tickets by offering them on a sliding scale or by offering special deals to certain groups. If you wish to obtain the cheapest price for a ticket to the ball, we recommend buying your ticket early in the year when prices are at their lowest.

Subject: Purchasing Tickets:
Q: How do I get tickets to The Witches Ball?
A: There are two ways to obtain tickets for the Ball:

• On-line: You can purchase Tickets via our website. We have a Secure Server and we take checks, PayPal and all major credit cards. Simply click on the button marked TICKETS and fill out the form. Tickets can be purchased on-line from May 1st - October 19th.
• In Stores: From August 1st - October 15 you will be able to purchase Witches Ball tickets at various stores. If you click on the button titled TICKETS you will find a list of stores in your area selling Witches Ball tickets. After October 19th, tickets must be purchased at the door.

Subject: Restaurants
Q: We want to eat out before the ball. Where should we go?
A: San Jose has many great restaurants that offer dinner in a variety of price ranges. To find one, we suggest that you use the restaurant guide at Silicon Valley City Search. This guide lists restaurants by name, neighborhood, cuisine and price. It will have all the information you need to find a great place to eat before the ball.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are searching by neighborhood, the Scottish Rite Center is located in the neighborhood of Almadan

Subject: Ritual
Q: Will there be a Pagan Ritual performed at the Ball?
A: No. The Witches Ball is a social, not a sacred event. If you would like information on the various public rituals & events held by the Pagan Community we suggest that you write to us and ask to be added to our E-MAIL LIST. We send out a monthly newsletter which gives information on the various Pagan events held all over Northern California throughout the year.

PLEASE NOTE: We never sell, give away or share our email list or any other information about our Full Circle friends and members.

Subject: Samhain and Halloween
Q: Why don't you hold the Witches Ball on Halloween Night?
A: We deliberately schedule the Witches Ball well before the sacred holiday of Samhain (pronounced "SAW-win") and the secular holiday known as Halloween. We do this so as not to interfere with the various circles, rituals, gatherings or parties that occur on or near October 31st.

If you aren't already familiar with the Pagan holiday of Samhain we recommend you read the article called You call it Halloween...we call it Samhain at The Witches Voice website.

Subject: Selling Tickets
Q: How can I sell Tickets to the Witches Ball in my store?
A: If you own a physical store and you wish to sell tickets to The Witches Ball, please contact Monica. Stores that sell tickets to the Witches Ball will be listed on our website. We will be happy to ad a link to your store's website and/or list your address and telephone number.

On-line sales are only conducted via the Full Circle website.

Subject: Security & Operations
Q: How safe is this site?
A: We have reserved the entire Scottish Rite Center for our own use that day and evening. The Center itself is located on the top of a hill and is part of a complex owned by the Masonic Order. As such it is private property and no one will be able to disturb our revels. We do not anticipate that there will be any problems for our attendees either inside or outside the ball.

Operations for the ball will be handled by FLARE. These are the same folks who guarded and helped us at MUSE Camp. Many of the FLARE members on also on the Operations Staffs at PantheaCon and BayCon. These men and women are capable, professional, well-trained and polite, not to mention stylish. Please give them your cooperation and support.

Subject: Sponsorship & Donations
Q: I would like to become a Sponsor, what do I need to do and how much does it cost?
A: Our Sponsors pay $25.00 a month to post a Bannar Ad on the front page of our Witches Ball site. If you don't already have a banner ad, we will be happy to make one for your group or store. For further information on Sponsorship, please contact Denise.

If you wish to make a donation of some kind, please use the same contacts as listed above.

Subject: Theme
Q: What is the theme of this year's ball?
A: The theme for the 2001 Witches ball is "Fairies" and it is inspired by the work of British artist, Brian Froud. Brian is best known for his book "Fairies" and for his work on the films "Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth". Pictures from Brian's books, artwork and tarot cards as well as photos of his puppet characters and set designs can be found at the World of Froud web site.

The theme for last year's Witches Ball was "Art Deco". The Theme for next year's ball in 2002 will be "Arabian Nights".

Subject: Vending
Q: How do I apply to be a Vendor?
A: Click on the button titled VENDORS and fill out the Vendor Application Form. You will find all the information you need on that page.

Subject: Visitor's Guide
Q: What is there to see and do in the area?
A: This is a wonderful area with lots to see and do. More information can be found on the San Jose City website, in the Bay Area Guide, and in the Californa Visitor's Guide.

Subject: Volunteering
Q: I'd like to help with the Witches Ball, whom do I contact?
A: If you would like a volunteer to help out before, during or after The Witches Ball, please click on the VOLUNTEERS button on our Witches Ball website and fill out our Volunteer Form. Our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you shortly.

Subject: Wheelchairs
Q: Is the venue Wheelchair accessable?
A: Yes, the The Scottish Rite Center is wheelchair accessable. The only exception to this is the sunken dance floor. We will place a ramp over one of the small stairways so that our attendees in wheelchairs can get down to the dance floor itself.