This Wilmington Whiskey Club Gala Celebrates the Roaring 20s

To celebrate 100 years of The Great Gatsby and the end of prohibition, The Wilmington Whiskey Club throws a Gatsby Gala to benefit a local charity.

Whiskey clubs are a great way for whiskey enthusiasts to connect and engage in meaningful discussion and celebrate their love of the spirit. It was this goal of bringing people together that encouraged Jill Slader-Young to start The Wilmington Whiskey Club.

It’s also in the spirit of giving back to the community that the club is throwing a charity gala to benefit Safe Haven Healing, Inc., an organization supporting survivors of trauma tied to sexual assault and domestic violence.

“I think it’s fun to put philanthropy and folly together,” explains Slader-Young, the founder of both Safe Haven Healing and the Wilmington Whiskey Club. “Nobody likes to sit at a boring dinner and eat rubber chicken. So to have a space that’s energetic, playful and fun, but also safe, responsible and charity-driven, I think is a good combination.”

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It’s certainly a good combination in the case of the Gatsby Gala, an annual event celebrating the repeal of prohibition with a charity focus. When the club was founded two years ago, the first prohibition-style party took place, and the event has only grown—so has the club. What started as a modest 45-member local whiskey club now boasts nearly 150 members, and this year’s party promises to be the best one yet.

The Gatsby Gala: What’s in store?

Along with a trip back in time to the Roaring 20s, Gatsby Gala-goers can expect a plethora of fun party experiences. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for general admission ticketholders, and the party roars on until 11:30 p.m. Unique food stations will provide bites throughout the evening. Champagne and unlimited Gatsby-themed cocktails are included in the ticket cost. Plus, a cash bar is onsite for any other beverage needs, and unique party attractions make this gala a standout event.

“We have a tattoo artist that does flash tattoos,” says Slader-Young. “We cover that expense. We just ask that those who participate tip the artist generously.”

Slader-Young explains that the flash tattoos also tie back into the charity efforts. Many victims of sexual assault and domestic violence get tattoos and piercings as a statement of reclamation over their own bodies. Often, this therapeutic aspect of a tattoo helps survivors reconnect with their sense of self and humanity.

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“Everything starts with being human,” notes Slader-Young.

Live music and dancing, raffles, champagne towers, auctions and decade-appropriate photo-ops round out the Gatsby Gala experience for a fun-filled evening. This blend of philanthropy and folly is sure to make for a night to remember.

Come in your best 1920s-style attire for photo-ops and to make the evening feel like a complete journey to the era. Tickets can be purchased online to drink and dance the night away while supporting an incredible cause.

Interested in joining the Wilmington Whiskey Club? Learn more online.

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