Dancing the night away – Imperial College Summer Ball declared a success

2,400 people attended the biggest student event of the year - News

Tuesday 24 June 2008
By Naomi Weston

Thousands of students celebrated the end of term on Saturday 21 June, with one of the biggest events of the calendar – the Imperial College London Summer Ball.

Attracting 2,400 students and 60 alumni of the College, the event was a huge success with a four course formal dinner followed by an array of musical entertainment and a funfair. Revellers also enjoyed a fireworks display launched from the top of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Building, which attracted a large crowd of spectators.

Revellers enjoyed the impressive fireworks

A high profile line up of DJs and musical acts were on offer across the South Kensington Campus. Highlights included The Klaxons, Zane Lowe, Fearne Cotton and The Maccabees.

Organiser of the ball and Imperial College Union Deputy President for Finance and Services, Chris Larvin, said: “By far the most enjoyable part of the evening for most people is the music. The Summer Ball is a unique event in the academic year due to the sheer number of people attending, allowing us to have high profile DJs and acts across a range of genres. Both Zane Lowe, from BBC Radio 1, and Andy C, who has been named the World's Greatest Drum and Bass DJ, drew immense crowds.”

A marquee was assembled in the Beit Quad, home of the Students’ Union, while the Queen’s Lawn was the venue for another marquee which hosted dinner for 600 guests. The Queen’s Lawn was also home to the funfair and food outlets, while the Main Dining Hall was transformed into an entertainment venue along with the Great Hall.

Chris Larvin, added: “The highlight of the evening was the dinner. It was made extra special by having the Rector there at his last Summer Ball. At the end of the dinner, the Union President Stephen Brown presented him with Honorary Life Membership of the Union.”

 

Rector, Sir Richard Sykes who stands down at the end of June, praised the event in his after dinner speech. He said: “This evening has become a highlight of the College year for both staff and students. Thank you to the organisers of the Ball for making it such a successful and high quality event and to all the staff and students of Imperial for giving me a great seven years.”

Staff and alumni attending the evening had access to the VIP Lounge in the Senior Common Room, which had a cocktail bar, entertainment from the Jazz Big Band, a pianist, a violinist, a harpist and a casino.

Over a thousand partygoers stayed up till 04:00 to gather for the traditional survivors’ photo held every year in Beit Quad.

To read the student news website Live!'s report on the ball, please visit: http://live.cgcu.net/news/1803