Q: What is the gala? A: The PS110 Gala is our school’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds will go directly to funding essential programs, such as arts residencies, special education support, library & garden resources, classroom enrichments, and much more. This is an adults-only party, but friends and neighbors who are not affiliated with the school are welcome to purchase tickets, as long as they’re over 21. It all goes down at Warsaw, Greenpoint’s iconic concert venue, right down the street from PS110. There will be DJs, line dancing, pierogies, signature cocktails, a photo booth, live & silent auction, and a raffle drawing—and it’s always a great way to get to know other parents and community members.
Q: What should I wear? A: This year’s theme is “A Night at the Pink Pony Club” so think pink and Western chic. Cowboy hats, boots, bolo ties, rhinestones and glitter are all great choices. Check the PTA Instagram in the days leading up to the gala for our full outfit inspiration reel. But do you have to dress according to the theme? Not at all—PS110’s events are always “come as you are.”
Q: Pink Pony Club? What does that mean? A: Chappell Roan wrote her hit song “Pink Pony Club” about moving from a small town to LA and finding a magical place where she was free to be her truest self. Although the namesake club is fictional, it was inspired by The Abbey in West Hollywood. The freedom, flamboyance, and sense of safety in community that Chappell sings about is what we’re hoping to harness at the gala.
Q: I heard there’s an auction. How does that work? A: Yes! The auction will launch on Friday, March 20th, and will close at 10:00 pm on the night of the gala. You do not need to attend the Gala, or be a PS110 parent to participate in the online auction. A few special items will be auctioned live at the gala and will be available only to gala guests. You’ll find some amazing items up for bid online: coveted sports and concert tickets, gift cards to all your favorite local shops and restaurants, kids' camps and classes, museum passes, and even some luxurious vacation stays. Visit ps110.betterworld.org to place your bids. Physical items will be available for pickup in the mezzanine at Warsaw, and e-gift cards will be emailed to winners once the auction closes. We will also hold additional pick-up hours at PS110 during the week of March 30th for anyone who is not able to collect their items at Warsaw.
Q: And there’s also a raffle this year? A: There is! One lucky winner will win a night’s staycation at the Wythe Hotel, with drinks at Bar Blondeau—a $700 value. You can purchase raffle tickets as an add-on to your gala tickets, or separately here (you can always add on extra tickets after your initial purchase if you’d like!). Each ticket purchase gives you one entry into the raffle, and there’s no limit to the number of times you can enter. The deadline to enter is 8:30 pm on March 28th, and the winner will be announced on stage at the gala at 9:00 pm.
Q: This sounds fun, but I’m not sure if I can find a sitter. What should I do? A:Our friends at The Tiny Scientist and New York Society of Play are hosting discounted drop-in kids nights for PS110 families on Gala Night. Spots are limited, so we recommend signing up ASAP!
Q: I work for and/or know a business that wants to support PS110. Can they sponsor the gala? A: We thought you’d never ask. Our generous corporate sponsors are key to the gala’s success. We proudly promote our sponsors across our event materials, on social media, on all event signage, and in on-stage call-outs, so sponsoring is a great way for businesses to increase their visibility and build goodwill among our super-engaged community. All donations are tax-deductible because our PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) charity. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected]
Q: How else can I help? A: We’d never be able to pull off this event without our incredible parent volunteers! There are so many ways to pitch in.
Spread the word: Encourage other parents to attend and participate in the auction, re-post gala announcements in your class chats and on social media, and send the auction page to friends and family in any part of the world–everyone can bid!
Volunteer: We will need lots of hands to set up the venue before doors open. Keep an eye on Parent Square for more details and to sign up.
Donate: We are still accepting donations for the auction! If you have something you’d like to donate, or you have a connection to a business that might want to contribute, please email [email protected]
Q: What is the Teacher & Staff Ticket Fund? A: Our incredible teachers and staff are given complimentary tickets to the Gala as a small token of gratitude for all that they do. Contributing to the Teacher & Staff Ticket Fund helps to offset the cost of comping those tickets, and ensures that any community members in need can attend the gala free of charge. You can sponsor a teacher ticket as an add-on to your gala ticket purchase.
For any questions not covered here, reach out to us at [email protected]. See you at the Pink Pony Club!