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Your New Year's Eve Magical Extravaganza at a Glance:

*Photographs on the Red Carpet

*6 Themed Entertainment Areas Including: DJ Purnell from "New York Entertainment"

*Two Live Rock Bands and Karaoke after midnight

*Studio 54-Style lighted elevated dance platforms

*Circular LED dance stages will give the impression that you
are at one of New York's trendiest night clubs

*20 foot Video Wall

*Lighting on all levels of venue to create a unique night club atmosphere

*Disco Ball & Fog

*Multiple Food Stations

*Passed Hors D'Oeuvres

*SEVERAL OPEN BAR AREAS - Unlimited BEER, WINE & LIQUOR

*Champagne toast & favors at midnight

*Silent Auction

*FREE Coat Check

*3 Floors of Fun

1. Who is Epicenter?
Epicenter exists to take the youth of Baltimore from the corner to a career through a safe, fun, encouraging, caring and accepting environment to build practical and empowering skills through education and performing arts. www.epicenterbaltimore.org

2. Who is Caring Communities?
Caring Communities, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization (501-c3) that helps all persons with disabilities in Maryland and surrounding states. They run training and disability awareness programs and have started the largest online searchable respite care provider registery in the Maryland / DC region. They also produce World of Possibilities disAbitilies, Healthy Aging and Independent Living Expo, an annual consumer shopping, learning and networking event that is the largest of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region. Caring Communities helps thousands of people with disabilities every year, and they are always looking for ideas to raise funds to offset operating expenses. New Year's Eve is the perfect opportunity to celebrate on a magical night, have a great time at this all-inclusive extravaganza, and help us help the Maryland community with this must-be-at-event. www.caringcommunities.org

Because of the many events produced entirely by Caring Communities staff, as well as the contacts and resources of its partner organizations, Caring Communities is well established as a professional event producer and is fully capable of bringing you the finest, most exciting New Year's party you have ever attended in Baltimore. Just check out the video from last year's event: VIDEO HERE

3. Will a portion of my ticket price be tax-deductible?
Yes, $25.00 per ticket should considered as tax deductible contribution to Caring Communities, a 501c-3 charitable organization.

4. How should I dress?
Dress to Impress! We want you to be comfortable, but this is new Year's Eve! Ladies typically wear evening/cocktail dresses, men typically wear a jacket. (Note to gentlemen: Please, no t’s, jeans, or sneakers!). NO tux is required, unless you want to kick it up a notch!

5. Why host a party at a museum?
Well, we have been going to New Years’ Galas for over 20 years, and we LOVE New Year’s parties: Dressing up, arriving, the food, the people, the music, the good times. In previous years we went to many hotel and banquet hall parties, including a huge hotel-based New Year’s party in Baltimore advertised as the biggest and best. We spent plenty, and we had a pretty good time. We had friends, drinks, a little dancing. But, it was so huge we lost each other! The band, well, we’ve heard better; the food was second rate, and every “themed area” looked identical: a hotel ballroom with a DJ. We knew we could do better, and help a charity out at the same time!

This event will be so different. We will have multiple party areas with different kinds of music. Because the museum is already an attraction, with lots of interesting things to do and look at in every corner, you could wander away from your group for an hour and not be bored stiff. In fact, you’ll say, “Did you see this or that upstairs, Oh! you gotta go there!” The evening will go so quickly between food, drinks, music, dancing, New Year’s toasts, silent auction bidding, you may not have time to see it all. And did me mention the five-story climbing structure with bridges, ladders, padded areas, a zip line, and Maryland's longest enclosed slide?

6. What is there to eat and drink?
Unlike those other parties, we don't try to stuff you up with pasta and rice. This is a fancy event, so live a little! We will have an elegant assortment of fruits and cheeses, delicious Maryland crab dip, Grilled Sausages, Antipasto Skewers and shrimp cocktail, Chef Carved Roasted Steamship Round of Beef and Baked Turkey. Want something different? Try the Teriyaki Chicken or the Tomato & Basil Brushetta. Then there’s desserts and coffee in a quiet area. All drinks are available at our several open bars located on the different floors. They will have a wide selection of premium beers, wines and mixed cocktails, as well as a few specialty drinks (like the Hurricanes we had last year!) . And after midnight, enjoy a continental breakfast available at the food stations.

Looking to treat yourself? For an upgaded menu, purchase a VIP ticket that includes menu items like Bacon Wrapped Scallops and Maryland Crab Balls, Premium Bar Service, an exclusive lounge with table seating and your very own DJ/Karoke Master. And you can always access the rest of the party, including the five-story urban treehouse.

7. Where do we park?
There is a parking garage directly ajecent to Port Discovery and another one in the rear of Power Plant Live! Check out all the parking details on our Directions page.

8. Are there hotel packages available?
We have secured special pricing for rooms at the nearby Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Baltimore Inner Harbor, 101 President Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202, 1-800-228-2800 or www.marriott.com/bwifh. One King is only $119 + tax, two Queens only $139 +tax, King Suites are only $159 +tax. You must reserve by December 10.

If making a reservation on line, enter arrival & departure dates, click on Special Rates & Awards, click Group Code & enter either:
 
chachaa  for a King Room at $119
chachab  for a room with two Queen beds at $139
chachac  for a King Suite at $159

9. I need lots to do at a party. Will this keep me busy?
For starters, we’ll have plenty of food and drink to enjoy. Then there are six themed entertainment areas -visit them all! While you’re wandering around, check out the Caring Communities Silent Auction and bid on some great items including sports memorabilia, show tickets, overnight stays and a wide range of attractive products and services. And all the money goes to a great cause. Learn more about Caring Communities here.

Then there’s the museum, Port Discovery Children's Museum, which has many interesting exihibits that will unlock your imagination, entertain you, and bring out the kid in you.

10. We like some quiet time where we can escape from the crowd and talk with our friends. Is there an area to chill out?
Of course, there are many galleries to which you can escape. The exhibits will be open on every floor. For smokers, if you just want to get outside for a bit, or if you just want to see the Inner Harbor fireworks, wristbands will be issued for easy readmission. So in short, yes we expect there are ample options for a quiet retreat should you wish.

11. What is a silent auction, and how does it work?
Here is how it works: the organizers set up tables with items, or descriptions of the items (for example: Four hours rental of Confetti’s banquet hall, or Two nights stay at Hilton hotel). We may also issue a program with a list of items and their generous donors. On the table near the item is a sheet of paper on which you indicate who you are and how much you are willing to pay for the item. We may use bidding numbers rather than names, to conceal the identity of the high bidder. If you want to buy something, fill in a line on the paper. Then you can wander around look at the other items, get a drink, and hang out. Come back after a while or when you notice someone leave the table, whatever system you like. The entire auction ends for all items at the same time, probably around 11:00pm. At the designated time the sheets are collected, ending the auction. The winners are announced and you are asked to pay. (credit cards will be accepted). Your payment is partly a donation to Caring Communities, Inc., and should be considered tax-deductible. If the winner is unwilling or unable to pay then the next highest bidder is called. All transactions should be completed before the New Year’s countdown. We will hold onto your purchase if you like until you leave.

12. What is the age limit to attend?
You must be 21 or over. Valid, up-to-date photo ID with date of birth will be required, in accordance with Maryland State Law. Sorry, if you forget your ID, you will not be admitted, and NO REFUND will given.

13. We're late night party people. Anything going on after the party ends?
Yes. Since you are already parked, walk just a few steps to the Power Plant Live! entertainment complex, which is adjacent to Port Discovery Children's Museum. There you'll find several interesting night clubs will be open until 4:00 am or later. There will also be plenty of taxis right out front at Market Place.

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