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Arts & Entertainment

The Moth Ball Will Honor Roxane Gay This Year


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 4, 2019

Modified Feb 4, 2019


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Liz Ligon/The Moth


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 4, 2019

Modified Feb 4, 2019


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The Moth announced details around their big annual Moth Ball event, taking place on June 4th this year (it's a Tuesday, and looks like your calendar is wide open that week). Their honoree will be writer Roxane Gay, and the retrofuturist theme will be "A Wrinkle In Space and Time." Catherine Burns, Artistic Director of The Moth, says the theme "highlights the power of storytelling to shift our perspectives and to change our world."

If you don't know, the Moth Ball takes place annually at Capitale on Bowery, and if you are going to spend money on any Ball in your lifetime, this is the one. The evening includes copious open bars around the venue, hors d'oeuvres floating around, a delightful bunch of attendees often dressed to represent the theme, lots of time for mingling and dancing, and if you splurge: a seated dinner during the big event (which is storytelling).

"The Moth Ball is always an evening of imagination, inspiration and pure fun," says Burns. And it is. I, a person who rarely commits to a social engagement or "goes out," even enjoys it! So much so that I write this post every year on the day of their announcement. "Can't believe it's almost Moth Ball time again!" I exclaim, to general indifference.

Sarah Haberman, Executive Director of The Moth, spoke more about this year's honoree, saying that, "[Gay] uses her own personal story to call out oppression of every kind and to restore hope where it’s been obliterated. And, the humor, authenticity, and vulnerability she consistently shows in her work epitomize The Moth's deepest values of honesty and connection. Roxane is fierce, brave, and riveting—and we can’t wait to celebrate her this June." Hear hear!

The event (which benefits the non-profit) will also feature stories from Moth GrandSLAM winners, a silent auction, and more. Tickets range from $500 to $10,000. They are available by contacting [email protected].

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Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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