Enloe’s prom on April 25, from 7-10 pm, will be held at the Ritz and will have some changes from last year’s prom.
With a brand new venue and a unique theme, prom is taking a new, exciting route this year, but with change comes questions and uncertainty. What do these changes mean for how our prom will go compared to previous years? As guests at prom, there isn’t a whole lot we can do to prepare, but being informed may help to make our prom experience run more smoothly.
The Ground Rules
So how does the Ritz work as an overall venue? Well, the Ritz does have consistent rules, such as a clear bag policy, no outside food or drink, and a request to avoid sharp clothing or chains accenting outfits. Enloe Prom will also adopt their own clear bag policy, so it is best to leave your bags in the car or at home. Instead, stick to a small, compact wallet, or leave change at home during prom to avoid possible misplacement of items. Cameras and small devices will be allowed to take pictures and capture memorable moments.
Will There Be a Coat Check?
Unlike Charity Ball, there will be no coat check this year at prom. Luckily, our prom takes place in April, and it’s unlikely the weather will require a coat, but if you have any sort of jacket complimenting your outfit, prepare to keep it on you during the event. Our personal items are our responsibility!
Parking at the Ritz
The Ritz has a parking lot outside the venue; however, its website recommends arriving 1-2 hours before the concert to get a spot. Despite this being a private event, arriving around 30 minutes in advance can make it easier to secure a spot. Frequent concert-goers may be aware of the gravel parking lot across the street that normally offers parking for the Ritz. We recommend you choose to be dropped off or carpool with friends. Uber and Lyft are always a great option for transportation, just be sure to organize a ride back home!
Similar to or different from previous years?
“This year’s prom will most likely be more similar to Charity Ball than prom has been in the past,” says Quinn Neiley, a representative of Student Council. Stuco has rented out the entire Ritz for prom, including the upstairs floor, the private lounge room, and the outdoor yard where the Enloe Jazz band will perform. There will be cornhole and other outdoor games to play with friends. Back inside, the main dance floor will include the lower floor of the Ritz, with a live DJ booth performing onstage. The only inaccessible area will be the backstage performing area. There will be two snack bars open during the event. Treats are guaranteed as they have been in previous years, as well as soda and water, unique to this year’s prom! The comfortable lounge bar will be offered as a sort of quiet room for more casual party guests, where student council members will be directing a handful of card games, so stop by to participate in a round or two!
Is the Ritz big enough for all of us?
Many have been concerned for the capacity of the Ritz; however, the student council staff assures that Enloe guests will only meet just about half of the maximum capacity of the Ritz venue, sitting at 2000 max, as Enloe seniors and juniors make up only about 1400 students. Even considering the number of guests likely to attend prom, it is expected that only a little over 1000 guests will be attending this year, so do not worry, as there are many common spaces for guests to congregate and to spread out. Although the Ritz is normalized as being an intense concert venue, the event will be less concert-like and more sophisticated for the private setting. Expect a crowd similar to the charity ball dancefloor as opposed to your typical Ritz experience.
Activities and Prom theme
With the Ritz being a slightly smaller venue than Union Station, the student council staff will have more funding for decorations and games! As the Ritz is already quite lavishly decorated, expect a unique appearance for our casino-themed soiree. Talk of decorations has circulated among the Junior Student Council staff, with many unique ideas buzzing around, even including a slot machine. Expect casino chips, playing cards, and the signature red and black theme. Dress to the nines in a similar scheme to match these dramatic tones. According to a poll taken from Enloe guests, most attending have chosen to lean towards red, gold, green, and black hues. But there are still some who have chosen to omit matching the theme by leaning more towards blues and silvers. Either way, the dance floor is ready to feature a dramatic complement of dazzling hues and fabrics! Dress for yourself, and you’ll be sure to stand out in the crowd.
Final Thoughts
Enloe has already hosted a promposal contest from March 14 to April 14 for anyone who wanted to participate in! The winners will be announced as prom royals and will be granted a full refund of their ticket!
We’re all excited about what prom will be like this year, but our mindset will determine our enjoyment. Preparing ourselves for what it will be like and getting ready for a fun and unique evening fuels our anticipation as we round out the school year. Prepare your deck of cards for the first prom EVER at the Ritz!
