A Night at the Nutcracker

Grace discusses the return of the hailed Christmas Ball

The days have become shorter, the temperature has dropped and the students of St Andrews have entered the revision week panic; winter is coming! After what seemed like years of anticipation, this past weekend, the community of St Andrews was able to welcome back one of the most iconic events that the University has to offer: Mermaids’ Christmas Ball. Every year, Christmas Ball sells out in seconds with the wishful search for resales plaguing the class Facebook pages for the weeks leading up to the event. This year was no exception. To holster the anticipation and ignite the holiday spirit, Mermaids chose what the committee called ‘the most Christmassy’ theme of all: A Night at the Nutcracker. As a former pre-professional dancer who has had her fair share of Nutcracker performances, I was beyond thrilled to see what the St Andrews Performing Arts Fund had in store at their Kingdom of Sweets. 

Source: @lightboxstandrews

I woke up on Sunday to snow on the ground and was instantly lifted into the Christmas spirit, the perfect precursor to the Christmas Ball. Having read-up on the event’s announcements and inspired by my previous experiences at Christmas Ball, my excitement for the night to come was through the snow-covered roof. Mermaids spent months organising several performers and DJs to entertain the myriad of guests that will soon crowd the iconic Kinkell Byre: Jazz Works, DJs Albion and Tim Berger, the Hummingbirds, and fan-favourite, the Other Guys. Needless to say, Mermaids had prepared an evening packed full of entertainment.

The time came and over a thousand dolled-up students arrived at the Union for the pre-event which was nothing more than a decorated queue for the busses to Kinkell Byre. The journey to Kinkell Byre typically only takes ten minutes, however after speaking with several people at the event, this was not the case. A few of the guests who were fortunate enough to get a space on the bus reported being trapped on the crowded coach for upwards of forty-five minutes while waiting to unload only to be rewarded with additional queuing in the freezing air upon their arrival. 

As with most events, Kinkell Byre was decorated beautifully. Mermaids spared no detail when putting together their Night at the Nutcracker with grandiose Christmas trees, sparkling snow, twinkling lights and candy galore! However, I wish that the event itself matched the holiday energy that the committee worked so hard to prepare. The event peaked near the beginning when the free champagne was in hand, the crêpes were warm and Jazz Works was rocking the main stage. They had immaculate vibes and had a set that kept the crowd moving and grooving! With a mixture of holiday music and famous ‘tik-tok’ songs, Jazz Works knew exactly how to start the evening off strong. 

Source: Lola Weiss

For those fortunate enough to know the layout of Kinkell Byre, you could seek refuge from your aching feet in the hidden Kingdom of Sweets. There, you could take some time to catch up with friends, snack on the bounty of candy and queue up for the complimentary crêpes, all while listening to the student acapella groups. Unfortunately, most of the attendees missed out on this experience as the crêpes and live music was only available to the handful of guests who wandered to the tent before 22:30. After this, the Kingdom of Sweets transformed into a room for recuperation that featured dozens of attendees chatting at decorated tables with the occasional song playing in the background.

Back on the main dancefloor, the DJs tried to keep the energy going with their rave-style music, however their efforts were not rewarded with enthusiasm. As I looked around, the dance floor became increasingly stationary as guests checked their watches and phones for the time. Given the whole premise of the event, I expected significantly more holiday anthems than what were offered. Thankfully, at the strike of midnight, DJ Albion took the stage and offered the tired crowd a breath of fresh air with songs that we could finally sing along to at the top of our lungs. For a few moments, the music resuscitated the dance floor back to life!

Beyond the performers, Mermaids announced that there would be a bounty of food and drink options amongst their cash bar and vendors Mac Love, Screaming Peacock and La Creperie. I was only able to find two of the three announced vendors, and as I inquired about the third food option, I was met with frustrated mac and cheese enthusiasts who also had failed endeavours in search of the beloved food truck. 

Source: Lola Weiss

Between the crowded yet seemingly unmoving dancefloor, typical inflated drink prices, transport fiasco, lack of food and repetitive music choices, I was not surprised that there was a mass exodus of guests at 00:30. This was a shame as I could tell that the committee had planned well for this event and sought out a night to remember. If the event was shorter, I truly believe that the guests would have undeniably enjoyed themselves as the activities and performers would have left the group wanting more. In addition to this, the absence of cellular reception and wifi brought a sense of frustration to the evening. I know that this is outside the jurisdiction of the event itself but I would like to draw attention to the fact that you are not able to communicate with anyone once you enter the event space; I wish you the best of luck if you lose your group!

Overall, the night was lacklustre. Perhaps I had too high of expectations from my previous experiences at past, exceptional Christmas Balls but regardless of this, the evening did not equate to the ticket price. This opinion was shared with several attendees that I chatted with both at the event itself and on the complimentary bus back. However, I believe that this year’s Christmas Ball was an exception; their efforts did not go unnoticed as demonstrated through their extensive performer lineup and magical, Nutcracker décor. Given this, I anticipate that future Mermaids events will return to their usual, high calibre standard that the St Andrews community knows and loves.

 

Comments

comments

119 thoughts on “A Night at the Nutcracker

  1. Heya i?m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  2. I do enjoy the manner in which you have framed this difficulty and it really does offer me some fodder for thought. However, coming from just what I have experienced, I simply just hope when the actual remarks pack on that men and women stay on issue and not embark upon a soap box associated with the news du jour. Yet, thank you for this excellent piece and while I can not go along with it in totality, I value your viewpoint.

  3. I have noticed that in digital camera models, special receptors help to {focus|concentrate|maintain focus|target|a**** automatically. Those sensors involving some surveillance cameras change in in the area of contrast, while others make use of a beam associated with infra-red (IR) light, specifically in low lighting. Higher standards cameras at times use a mix of both models and likely have Face Priority AF where the digicam can ‘See’ the face while keeping focused only in that. Thanks for sharing your opinions on this blog.

  4. Something more important is that while looking for a good on the web electronics shop, look for web shops that are continuously updated, preserving up-to-date with the hottest products, the most effective deals, in addition to helpful information on services. This will ensure you are doing business with a shop that really stays ahead of the competition and gives you what you should need to make educated, well-informed electronics acquisitions. Thanks for the important tips I have really learned from your blog.

  5. Hello, Neat post. There is a problem along with your website in internet explorer, may check this? IE nonetheless is the market leader and a good component to other people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.

  6. PBN sites
    We create a web of private blog network sites!

    Advantages of our PBN network:

    We execute everything so google doesn’t realize that this A PBN network!!!

    1- We acquire domains from distinct registrars

    2- The main site is hosted on a virtual private server (VPS is rapid hosting)

    3- Other sites are on various hostings

    4- We allocate a individual Google ID to each site with confirmation in Google Search Console.

    5- We create websites on WP, we don’t utilize plugins with assistance from which malware penetrate and through which pages on your websites are generated.

    6- We don’t duplicate templates and utilize only distinct text and pictures

    We refrain from work with website design; the client, if wished, can then edit the websites to suit his wishes

  7. I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your information. This great article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  8. What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its aided me. Great job.

  9. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  10. Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers|

  11. I learned more something totally new on this weight reduction issue. One issue is a good nutrition is especially vital while dieting. A tremendous reduction in bad foods, sugary meals, fried foods, sugary foods, pork, and white colored flour products may be necessary. Possessing wastes organisms, and contaminants may prevent desired goals for losing fat. While certain drugs temporarily solve the condition, the horrible side effects are not worth it, plus they never present more than a short-term solution. It is just a known proven fact that 95 of diet plans fail. Thank you for sharing your opinions on this site.

  12. Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  13. I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  14. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Many thanks|

  15. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this during my search for something concerning this.|

  16. hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this site, as I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective intriguing content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.|

  17. One more issue is that video games usually are serious in nature with the primary focus on learning rather than amusement. Although, it comes with an entertainment aspect to keep your young ones engaged, each game is frequently designed to improve a specific skill set or program, such as math concepts or research. Thanks for your post.

  18. Thanks for your article. What I want to comment on is that when evaluating a good on the net electronics shop, look for a site with entire information on critical factors such as the personal privacy statement, protection details, payment methods, and various terms in addition to policies. Often take time to read the help and FAQ areas to get a much better idea of the way the shop will work, what they can do for you, and exactly how you can maximize the features.

  19. Thank you for another great article. Where else could anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal means of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such info.

  20. Hola! I’ve been reading your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the great work!

  21. It is in point of fact a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  22. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  23. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I?ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite sure I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

  24. After going over a handful of the articles on your blog, I seriously like your technique of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well and tell me what you think.

  25. I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you set to create one of these great informative web site.

  26. You’re so cool! I do not suppose I’ve truly read through a single thing like that before. So nice to discover someone with some original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the internet, someone with some originality.

  27. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  28. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been doing a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your web page.

  29. Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks|

  30. of course like your web-site but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality nevertheless I¦ll certainly come back again.

  31. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours lately, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It?s pretty value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net will likely be much more useful than ever before.

  32. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!

  33. Can I simply say what a comfort to find somebody that truly understands what they are discussing over the internet. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people must check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.

  34. Thanks for your posting. What I want to say is that while looking for a good internet electronics retail outlet, look for a web site with entire information on important factors such as the security statement, protection details, payment methods, and other terms along with policies. Always take time to look into the help and also FAQ sections to get a superior idea of the way the shop performs, what they are able to do for you, and in what way you can take full advantage of the features.

  35. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

  36. Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!

  37. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!|

  38. Backlinks seo
    Productive Hyperlinks in Weblogs and Comments: Improve Your SEO
    Links are crucial for enhancing search engine rankings and raising site visibility. By including hyperlinks into weblogs and remarks wisely, they can considerably enhance targeted traffic and SEO overall performance.

    Adhering to Search Engine Algorithms
    Today’s backlink placement strategies are finely adjusted to line up with search engine algorithms, which now emphasize link good quality and significance. This ensures that links are not just numerous but meaningful, guiding consumers to beneficial and pertinent articles. Website owners should concentrate on integrating links that are contextually appropriate and enhance the general content material good quality.

    Rewards of Utilizing Refreshing Donor Bases
    Utilizing current donor bases for backlinks, like those handled by Alex, delivers substantial rewards. These bases are regularly renewed and consist of unmoderated websites that don’t attract complaints, guaranteeing the links positioned are both impactful and certified. This method will help in sustaining the effectiveness of hyperlinks without the pitfalls connected with moderated or problematic resources.

    Only Authorized Sources
    All donor sites used are approved, steering clear of legal pitfalls and sticking to digital marketing criteria. This determination to making use of only approved resources assures that each backlink is genuine and trustworthy, thus constructing credibility and reliability in your digital presence.

    SEO Influence
    Skillfully placed backlinks in blogs and comments provide over just SEO advantages—they enhance user experience by linking to appropriate and high-quality content. This strategy not only fulfills search engine criteria but also engages consumers, leading to far better targeted traffic and improved online proposal.

    In substance, the right backlink strategy, especially one that employs refreshing and reliable donor bases like Alex’s, can alter your SEO efforts. By focusing on quality over quantity and adhering to the latest standards, you can guarantee your backlinks are both effective and effective.

  39. Right here is the right blog for everyone who hopes to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject that’s been written about for many years. Wonderful stuff, just great!|

  40. I also believe that mesothelioma cancer is a scarce form of melanoma that is generally found in those previously familiar with asbestos. Cancerous tissue form from the mesothelium, which is a safety lining which covers many of the body’s body organs. These cells usually form in the lining in the lungs, tummy, or the sac that really encircles the heart. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

  41. kantorbola77
    Kantorbola situs slot online terbaik 2024 , segera daftar di situs kantor bola dan dapatkan promo terbaik bonus deposit harian 100 ribu , bonus rollingan 1% dan bonus cashback mingguan . Kunjungi juga link alternatif kami di kantorbola77 , kantorbola88 dan kantorbola99

  42. I’ve learned a few important things via your post. I’d personally also like to convey that there can be situation in which you will obtain a loan and never need a cosigner such as a Government Student Support Loan. When you are getting financing through a standard bank then you need to be willing to have a cosigner ready to allow you to. The lenders may base their own decision using a few issues but the largest will be your credit worthiness. There are some loan merchants that will furthermore look at your job history and make up your mind based on that but in many instances it will be based on on your scores.

  43. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal. I must say you have done a excellent job with this. Also, the blog loads very fast for me on Internet explorer. Superb Blog!|

  44. Thanks for your publication on this weblog. From my personal experience, many times softening upward a photograph may well provide the photo shooter with a little bit of an creative flare. More often than not however, the soft blur isn’t just what you had under consideration and can frequently spoil a normally good snapshot, especially if you thinking about enlarging them.

  45. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my permission. Do you know any solutions to help prevent content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  46. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a amazing job with this. In addition, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Opera. Outstanding Blog!|

  47. טלגראס מרכז
    טלגראס הנחיות: המדריכים השלם לסחר קנאביסין דרך הטלגרמה

    פרח הוראות הוא פורטל ידע ומדריכים לסחר ב פרחי קנאביס דרך האפליקציה הניידת הפופולארית הטלגרמה.

    האתר רשמי הוצע את כל הקישורים הידיעתיים והמידע העדכוני להקבוצות וערוצים מומלצות לקניית שרף בהמסר בישראל.

    כמו כן, האתר מציע הסבר מתעדף לאיך להתקשר בהפרח ולרכוש פרחי קנאביס בנוחות ובמהירות.

    בעזרת המסמכים, אף משתמשי חדשים בתחום יוכלו להיכנס לעולם השרף בטלגרם בפני בטוחה לשימוש ובטוחה.

    ההרובוט של הקנאביס מאפשר למשתמשים ללבצע פעולות השונות שונות כמו הזמנת קנאביס, קבלת תמיכה תמיכת, בדיקת הקיימות והוספת פידבק על מוצרים. כל זאת בפני נוחה לשימוש ופשוטה דרך האפליקציה הניידת.

    כאשר כשם הדבר בדרכי תשלום, הפרח מפעילה בשיטות מוכרות מאוד כגון מזומנים, כרטיסי האשראי של אשראי ומטבע קריפטוגרפי. חיוני לציין כי קיים לבדוק ולוודא את ההוראות והחוקות האזוריים באיזור שלך ללפני ביצוע רכישה.

    המסר מציע יתרונות מרכזיים חשובים כמו כן הגנת הפרטיות והגנה מוגברים מאוד, השיחה מהירה מאוד וגמישות גבוהה. בנוסף, הוא מאפשר גישה להאוכלוסיה עולמית רחבה ומציע מגוון של תכונות ויכולות.

    בסיכום, המסר הנחיות היא האתר האידיאלי ללמצוא את כל המידע והקישורים הנדרשים להשקיה פרחי קנאביס בדרך מהירה, במוגנת ונוחה דרך הטלגרם.

  48. Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  49. קזינו אונליין
    הימורים ברשת הם חוויות מרגש ופופולרית ביותר בעידן הדיגיטלי, שמביאה מיליונים אנשים מכל
    כל רחבי העולם. ההימורים המקוונים מתרחשים בהתאם ל אירועים ספורטיים, תוצאות פוליטיות ואפילו תוצאות מזג האוויר ונושאים נוספים. אתרים ל הימורים הווירטואליים מקריאים פוטנציאליים את המשתתפים להימר על תוצאות אפשריות ולחוות רגעים של חוויה והתרגשות.

    ההימורים המקוונים הם כבר חלק מהתרבות האנושית מזמן רב והיום הם לא רק רק חלק חשוב מהפעילות הכלכלית והתרבותית, אלא גם מספקים רווחים וחוויים. משום שהם נגישים מאוד ופשוטים לשימוש, הם מתאימים לכל מהניסיון ולהנות מכל הניצחונות והפרסים בכל זמן ובכל מקום.

    טכנולוגיות דיגיטליות והימורים מקוונים הפכו להיות הפופולריים ביותר מעניינת ונפוצה. מיליוני אנשים מכל כל רחבי העולם משתתפים בהימורים, כוללים הימורי ספורט. הימורים מקוונים מציעים למשתתפים חוויה ייחודית ומרתקת, המאפשרת להם ליהנות מפעילות פופולרית זו בכל זמן ובכל מקום.

    אז מה חכם אתה מחכה למה? אל תהסס והצטרף עכשיו והתחיל ליהנות מהתרגשות וההנאה שהימורים מקוונים מציעים.

  50. You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I have read through anything like that before. So good to discover someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality.

  51. You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

  52. Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.

  53. Hello! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for your great information you’ve got right here on this post. I am returning to your web site for more soon.

  54. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your blog.

  55. Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  56. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. many thanks

  57. Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  58. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Thanks

  59. I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I?ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your website?

  60. A formidable share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing somewhat analysis on this. And he in truth bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If doable, as you grow to be experience, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra details? It is extremely helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog publish!

  61. Appreciating the dedication you put into your website and detailed information you offer. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  62. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND