GATSBY-UTIFUL. Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrayed Jay Gatsby in the 2013 film adaptation
of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary classic, The Great Gatsby, probably won’t be in attendance,
but it’ll be classy even without him.

Somewhere along the line of a silver platter-bearing butler knocking at your door with an invitation addressed from “Jay,” to climbing through a rustic, password-protected entranceway, you’ll find the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble’s take on The Great Gatsby is far more intricate and grandiose than your gimmicky prom night theme was.

One of the Gatsby Gala’s coordinators, Jason Anderson, has ambitions to strike a balance in the yearly calendar by rivaling Spring’s Viennese Ball, as he believes in “celebrating every season,” and reinvigorating fall in the midst of post-homecoming blues.

“The whole idea is a ’20s speakeasy party with the two best jazz bands the upper Midwest has to offer.” – Jason Anderson, one of the organizers of the Gatsby Gala at UWEC

“The whole idea is a ’20s speakeasy party with the two best jazz bands that the Upper Midwest has to offer,” Anderson said. “It’s intended for the Eau Claire community to recognize what a vibrant jazz theme we have, and for us to rethink conceptually what the big band extravaganza is all about.”

What was once a public showcase in Zorn Arena intended to tribute both veterans and jazz music from the ’20s and ’30s has now moved to a grander scale in the Davies Center with the same intentions, but a more focused theme.  

Since plans to put on the Gala actualized in May, and the Gatsby theme was pinned down in August, preparation on behalf of the university and community have pressed to make the “roaring” aesthetic of the ’20s come to life with fastidious detail.

The party will feature a host of characters, choreographed dance and play, but will be framed in an unceasing “battle” between the UW-Eau Claire’s Jazz I and II programs broken into three sections.

Anderson said Eau Claire’s collaborative spirit is pulling together to paint the most authentic scene possible. In addition to clothing outlets such as Muldoon’s and Sandy’s renting dresses and suits, a host of dance classes will run, local salons will style hair, and the Chippewa Valley Museum will contract a small platoon of antique shops to orchestrate the perfect decor.

The Gala won’t be entirely old-school, however. Anderson said the idea is to connect current and past music to what jazz was like in its heyday.

“Most of the charts are original 1920s and 1930s tunes people will know, but we’ve rewritten them, putting some hip-hop beats and driving bass lines under them,” Anderson said. “On the flip side, there are also complete, original re-orchestrations of modern charts with a jazz theme.”

Marketing for the event will ramp up as the party approaches. Through social media, the ensembles are prepared to release teaser recordings of their songs, which will include a range of artists like Fergie and Stevie Wonder (their versatility shouldn’t be taken lightly).

Prepare to climb through a mysterious speakeasy entranceway to immerse in a cast of rakish flappers, dapper suits, and vintage automobiles.  According to Anderson, the event is “moderately costed given what one will have the opportunity to experience.”

The Gatsby Gala will be 8-11pm Friday, Nov. 14, in the Ojibwe Ballroom. The all-ages event is $15 for students, and $25 for members of the public.