🌙 Mad Hatters Ball — Gala for Raíces y Cariño
(Para español, desplácese hacia abajo)Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 7–10 PM | The 418 Project • 155 South River St., Santa Cruz
Slip through the looking glass into an evening of live performances, electric beats, surreal botanicals, and dancing until the clock forgets time.
Step into a whimsical night of art, music, costumes, games, performance, and community magic at the Mad Hatters Ball, where we’ll celebrate local creators, farmers, and partners — all while raising funds for equitable birth and family care!
Feel free to wear a costume, a “Mad Hat,” or just come as you are! 16+ please
🎶 Performances, Music & Dancing
Enjoy a vibrant evening filled with live artistry, music, and immersive performances featuring:
🎻 Adam Scow — violinist
🎤 Carlos González — teen singer
🎶 Olivia & Belly Márquez — teen performers
💃 La Angel Baby, Xinistra Gl'Amour, Gallo Gallina, and Vanessa – Vee Dee — incredible community drag performers, celebrating joy, artistry, and identity in motion.
And get ready to dance the night away with DJ Electric Tomcat!
🎲 Activities & Food
Activities include:
♟️ Life-size chess
🎨 Glaze-your-own teacup station
📸 Photo booth
🎟️ Community Raffle — enter to win whimsical prizes from local artisans, farmers, and wineries!
🍽️ Whimsical Bites & Enchanted Drinks
We’re thrilled to be joined by Areperia831, whose visionary owner Vrinda will be leading her talented culinary arts students from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education in preparing an enchanting spread of themed appetizers — including vegan and gluten-free options — crafted especially for this Mad Hatters evening.
Step into a playful world of edible imagination with delights such as:
🥒 Cucumber & chili-oil mini sandwiches
🌺 Jamaica carnitas mini tostadas
🍓🌿 Strawberry & sage flower scones
🍄 Mini mushroom tacos
🫓 Mini arepas
🍫 Mexican chocolate cookies
🧁🍓 Strawberry mini cupcakes
🍹 Sip through Wonderland with locally crafted cider, beer, wine, and whimsical custom cocktails. Zero-proof potions will also be available for a magical non-alcoholic option.
No-host bar provided by Moving & Shaking.
💸 Tickets
Support at the level that feels right for you — every ticket, every donation, and every shared dance helps us build a future where care is equitable, community-led, and rooted in cariño. 💛✨
✨ VIP Experience
For guests wishing to uplift at the highest level, we offer a limited number of premier $150 VIP seats.
🪑 Exclusive table service
🍹 Two complimentary drinks of your choice
🎁 A Wonderland gift basket filled with treasures from our Tri-County community of artisans and organic farmers
A magical way to enjoy an elevated evening while supporting local creators 🎩🌙
🌈💫 We are also offering a limited number of $0 Full Scholarship Tickets to ensure that cost is never a barrier to joining this magical community celebration.