What's new at JFAB 2017? Well, in the 29 years of hosting this Ball, we've learned a few things, and so we are implementing some changes this year as The Project continues to evolve. Some new features that you may notice include:

Fund-A-Need – We are asking for your help this year to make this new component of our Live Auction a success. We will feature a particular Pro Bono Project program, by profiling a client success story, and we are turning to crowd-funding to make this happen.

Designed to encourage spontaneous giving to support the designated program, Fund-A-Need makes the live auction accessible to everyone. Ball-goers can give at any level, and John Calhoun will use his high-energy auctioneering-style to ask supporters to one-up each other for a worthy cause.

We will share more details soon – check back on our Facebook page, News Highlights and JFAB page on our website.

E-Tickets for Everyone – We’re converting to online ticketing via Eventbrite for all individual levels and sponsorship levels. So that means this year, everyone will receive email invitations instead of snail mail invitations. Our RSVP system will also move online and will generate all tickets. We will post more details on our website.
Patron Party/JFAB Combo Ticket – You asked, and we made it happen! Yes, this year you can buy an individual combo ticket!! Hear Leah Chase-Kamata sing, and dine on delights from Commander’s Palace at the Patron Party. Then, stick around and dance the night away to the Bucktown All-Stars at the JFAB and enjoy the rest of the fun we’re planning for you.
Special Combo Ticket Pricing for Sponsors – Our sponsorship packages are generous in the number of tickets for the Patron Party and JFAB, but sometimes you need more. We've created a sponsor-only price for the Combo Ticket so you can buy all the extra tickets you need.
Posters by Gustave Blache, III – To celebrate our Honorary Chair, Chef Leah Chase, one of her favorite portraitists, Gus Blache, will offer a limited number of signed and numbered posters of his “Pouring Oysters” painting (pictured below) of Chef Leah for sale at the JFAB. A portion of the proceeds goes to TPBP, and yes, he'll also have some unsigned posters for sale. He's also creating a unique painting for TPBP that will be a feature in the live auction.

There you have it! Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks??