Breezers Ball organizers hustle to prepare for Saturday’s extravaganza

As the date approached for the March 14 Breezers Ball, bartender Marina Schiering at Sweet Basil’s restaurant was fine-tuning a signature cocktail for what the organizers promise will be “Waltham’s best party.” In went Espolon Blanco tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, jalapeno and Combier Le Bleu curacao, which provided a tropical aquamarine hue to go with the teal color scheme for the ball. She gave the cocktail shaker a good thrash and decanted the liquid into old-fashioned glasses that had been rimmed with coarse salt and crushed Aleppo peppers.

Waltham, meet the Breezerita. The members of the committee took sips of the libation and pronounced it delicious. “An insouciance of heat,” declared David Nauss. The other committee members raised their glasses in assent while interjecting their own judgements. “Refreshing.” “Not too sweet.” “OMG, the salt and pepper flakes … to die for!” It’s a tough job, organizing a party.

The cocktail tasting was a well-deserved reward for months of planning. In addition to the theme color, the committee chose a tagline, “Bloom where you’re planted.” They invited the Waltham Garden Club to provide grand floral arrangements, booked a jazz band, and arranged for Ramble Market to gussy up the jazz lounge from their inventory of unique period furniture. They plastered the town with posters inviting one and all to attend Waltham’s premier social event.

Waltham’s own Jen Williams from House of Glōw and Makbeatz will power the dance floor with a potent mix of sounds. Williams taught free Zumba classes on the common last summer, building up a fervent fanbase of dancers who love her joyful spirit. People lucky enough to snag tickets can look forward to her vibrant energy next Saturday.

Details and credits

The 10th Annual Breezers Ball is on Saturday, March 14, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. Tickets are available here. The $60 cost includes two drink tickets, all you can eat of Waltham’s finest (see restaurants below) and as much dancing and friend-making as you can squeeze into four hours.

Like a fine cocktail, a party is only as great as its ingredients — the volunteers and supporters who make it happen.

These Waltham restaurants are donating food for the grand buffet:

These companies pitched in with financial and in-kind support: