Sai Kulkarni '23
Production Editor
This past weekend, I got to take part in my second and final Barrister’s Ball. It was a joyous night and a great opportunity to see the Law School come together to have a great time. It is rare to find an event where law students of all ages, drinkers and nondrinkers, gunners and non-gunners, can have a good time on the same night and in the same place. The event was masterfully designed and executed by two of my dearest friends, Paige Kennett ’23 and Ragan Minor ’23,[1] with plenty of teamwork with SBA President Juhi Desai ’23. The theme was Crystal Ball—an ode to the stars and all things magic. That magic was certainly present all night, from the pregames, to the transportation to the venue, all the way to the afterparty. Each person certainly had their own version of the night, but I think I speak for all of the attendees when I say that I had the time of my life.
Barrister’s, for me, began much earlier in the week in debating which dress I would wear, figuring out how in the world I was going to keep my hair straight all night, and coordinating with my friends about when to get our nails done.[2] The preparation was well worth it, though, because after a little help from a friend with my makeup,[3] I was able to arrive in style to my pregame location.[4] My friends had done a great job of booking a party bus to take us to the venue so that we could have a little extra time together. I have to recommend that to all of the current 2Ls for next year. Although the Barrister’s Committee did a great job of organizing school-wide buses, I have never felt as bougie as I did coming out of a party bus to the Ball. You all deserve to feel that way.
Once we got to Boar’s Head, I was surprised from the start. Even though it was the same venue as last year, it beat my expectations at every turn. The check-in process was smooth, and I was inside in under a minute. The professional photographer and iconic background in the entryway made all of us feel like celebrities. The real improvement came in the libations. With a number of bar stations, I was able to be in and out of line in five minutes every time, a massive step up from last year. There was food on both sides of the dance floor that didn’t run out within the first hour of our arrival. But the real kicker was the décor. The Crystal Ball-themed balloons at the tables and the actual tarot reader really met the theme. The DJ was great at his job and was able to keep the vibes up the entire time that people were dancing.
The party didn’t stop there, however. As we all headed to Rapture for the afterparty, I was secure in the knowledge that, at the very least, the club room was open.[5] But once we got there, I was still set to receive some surprises. It’s one thing to read in an email that the afterparty has food and it is completely different to see it placed in two different locations and constantly be refilled. Whether we got lucky or whether the entire venue was booked for us (still not sure which is true), it felt like a truly unique experience because I did not bump into a single undergrad that night. I was able to sneak out at my convenience and find myself in bed within an hour of reaching the afterparty—concluding my night.
My experience was amazing. The best part was, as it always is for me, the excellent pictures I got to take with all of my wonderful friends. But I am sure everyone had different things they enjoyed. I wanted to take some time to share some closing thoughts on the event and similar events, though. My time on this paper will soon be coming to an end. Over my years writing for the Law Weekly, I have become a bit of a heel, writing about parties, fun, events, and my friends, with only a few brief deviations into the serious. But I did that, passionately, because I believe that such writing has its place. This Barrister’s Ball was truly a night to remember—it’s not the only one, however. Whether it’s Dandelion, Bar Review, events led by student orgs, or any of the Feb Club events, I have always tried to memorialize the fun parts of law school. It’s a stressful time that we go through during our precious three years here. The real world is hard enough as it is. But if we can have good nights, like Barrister’s—and if we get to memorialize them in writing—maybe we can look back on these times with the fondness they deserve before our firms or public interest employers work us to the (mental) bone.
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omk6cg@virginia.edu
[1] Or as I affectionately refer to them, Peggy and Rae.
[2] To all of the men, I will take no criticism for including this, you have it easy. Also, it’s my article.
[3] Thank you to Brecken Petty ’23, you absolute angel.
[4] Morris House. The universe’s gift to partying.
[5] No blame to anyone, but it is less than fun when we have a school-wide event there with only half the bar available.