This is a guest post by Shana Cohen, Young Adult Outreach and Engagement Manager at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
Starting in August 2011, Rabbi Avi Olitzky from Beth El Synagogue asked Adath, Bet Shalom, Hillel, The Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Shir Tikvah, Temple Israel, & TC Jewfolk to come to the table and plan a Purim bash. The committee made up of twenty lay leaders and professional staff members came together to collaborate on a Minneapolis-based Purim party for young Jewish adults in their 20’s and 30’s.
This fantastic crew of committee members had one goal in common; throw the finest Purim party this city has ever seen!
Last year, many different congregations in Minneapolis threw their own Purim parties for our generation all on the same night. Then we realized, instead of throwing competing parties, why not just throw one big party instead?
Introducing … Cirque du Purim!
The committee decided to hold the event on Shushan Purim, which falls on Thursday March 8th. Shushan Purim refers to the day after Purim, commemorating the day when the Jews of Shushan, the Persian capital, finally rested after defeating their enemies. Shushan Purim, although usually only celebrated in Jerusalem, will also be celebrated in the fine city of Minneapolis in a little less than 2 weeks!
The committee came up with some fantastic ideas of how to mark this day of victory with a marvelous masquerade party at the glamorous VFW Uptown.
Three amazing acts have been secured.
Opening the night will be comedy by Laura Thorne. Laura Thorne is an up-and-coming local comic star! She performs stand up at night clubs, charities, and private events. She recently performed opening night of the Jewish Humor Festival at the Sabes JCC.
The second act will make Miss Richfield look like brisket wrapped in bacon! Joy Veh is a hilarious drag performer with a few tricks up her sleeve.
The night will close with Cirque du Soleil-inspired acts by iGnite. Their performance will include dance, tumbling, and body balancing with UV reactive props.
And of course, Cirque du Purim wouldn’t be complete without DJ Sweet2th spinning the beats all night!
There is going to be a costume contest with fabulous prizes, cheap drink specials & all you can eat hamentashen baked by the Beth El Women’s League.
A note about the costume contest: There are 3 categories, most creative costume, best Purim themed costume, and best circus inspired costume. The prizes are $50 gift certificate to Social House, which in my opinion, has the best sushi in Minneapolis!
Cirque Du Purim
Date: Thursday, March 8th 2012
Time: Doors open at 8 PM
Location: VFW-Uptown 2916 Lyndale Avenue S Minneapolis, MN, 55408
Admission: $5 in advance and $10 at the door.
You can purchase your tickets at www.jewishminneapolis.org
“Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CirqueduPurim
(Photo: Orbmiser)
Now I wish I was 30 years younger.
Is this for 20s and 30s year olds only? How about the rest of grown ups?
In response to the comments about the party only being for the 20’s and 30’s crowd, the reason we are catering to this age range is due to the collaborative nature of the event and the intention to provide a space for young adults that have not found congregational homes in the Twin Cities. It is an opportunity for the unaffiliated and affiliated to connect to their Judaic background. It is also important to note that many synagogue communities offer Purim celebrations for all ages after their Megillah reading on Wednesday, March 7th.