Since I was reporting on the event, I got in for free and ahead of everyone else. So here are pictures of people setting up:
Yotam, one of the organizers for the ball, asked me if I needed anything, but I was fine. After taking some more pictures of people waiting outside, I helped Chen Moyal set up the Hotaru booth (they were another organizer), since there wasn't much to do; not many people came between the time I arrived and 5:00, the time the doors were set to open.
The ticketers, hard at work!
And these two handsome doormen!
At 5:00, the doors opened, the booths finished setting up, and the guests started entering! Not much happened at the beginning; there was some slow music, and some guests were on the dance floor, but not much other than that.
Because when Jews dance, they do it in circles
There were people who liked the songs played, those who didn't, but you'll find that anywhere. I personally enjoyed the vast majority of the songs, but some people were complaining about the large amount of Japanese songs being played. I walked around some more, taking more pictures as I went. I also visited the Tricksrael hall where consoles were to be set up for gaming, but no luck:
Awww...
Meet Awesome and Awesomer (me and my bro!)
Suitpool approves
Gotta love them BFSs
Ladies?
A funny event happened during one of the songs; the computer locked in the middle, cutting off the song while the DJs tried to find someone who knew the password
My rival photographer
I noticed that from the beginning towards the middle of the event, people tended to either dance in groups or in couples. Later, when people got more into the swing of things, it was almost exclusively groups.
Around this time, the music stopped while the chanukiah was lit, which was a nice touch. And then of course, we started again!
Of course, I wasn't filming or taking pictures the entire time; from time to time, I would dance. There was a point where three metal songs were played, which I absolutely loved. There were a large number of people enjoying it as well, and I sang the lyrics with someone besides me while I rocked out on my air guitar. Like a boss. My brother filmed most of the next video, so you get to see me in all my glory, rocking my moves (I come in around 0:54):
YEEEEEAH!!!
After the next song, feeling hot but happy, I went out to check out the Tricksrael halls again, only to find that the consoles still hadn't been set up. During the rest of night, I would go there to drink water from the water fountain; the hall was selling the food, and they were selling drinks - for 5 shekels a cup! I didn't really want to spend a ton of money because I was thirsty, and it was frustrating that there wasn't bottled water readily available on the dance floor,
There's not much more to tell after this, because all we did was dance. A girl was injured during the course of the event; I hope she was alright. The consoles never ended being set up, , and I ended up going through all eight batteries that I brought with me (the large amount of video footage being the reason). I also overheard some people complaining about the service during one of my trips between the halls,
Also, tons of couples formed when Love Story played (you know the one):
Alas, around this point, I had to leave so I could make my bus. I said my farewells, and walked away from the hall with my brother in tow. It had been a satisfying night, with surprisingly few problems, considering the fact that it was the organizer's first attempt. Although I had been expecting ballroom dancing and such, the fact that it ended up being more like a rave didn't bother me in the slightest, All in all, it had been a great night.
Especially when I finally got to cut loose with my brother's sword:
If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!
