The final countdown is on for Toronto’s fifth fancy videogame party, the Hand Eye Society Ball. But there’s a catch: A nefarious, eldritch creature called The Party Crasher is threatening to kill the good vibes, and the only way to banish it forever is… to have a most excellent time! To aid you on your mission, we’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and other information so you can enjoy Saturday night with a minimum of fuss. Forecast is looking good, so get your weather-appropriate fancy on and we’ll see you on Saturday!

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Previous #HESB19 Posts

Games Showcase #1

Wobble Garden, Manifold Garden, GEMETON, Skeeper, Schwister, Axe in the Dark

Games Showcase #2

Light Organ, Sloppy Forgeries, Plunge, Creepy Creperie, Snake Set

Art, Food, and Grooves

Bronwen Alexina, The Only Alexandria, Emissive, Electric Perfume and Peruvian delights

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BUT FIRST: An important word about this event:

What Makes the HES Ball a Fundraiser?

After a full decade of videogame arts programming, Hand Eye Society needs your help!

As one of the most established, longest-running videogame arts organizations in the world, HES is at a critical junction. In its decade-long history, relying on an ever-fluctuating combination of project grants, membership fees, sponsorships, and volunteer power, Hand Eye Society has delivered a remarkable range of truly innovative programming that is recognized and emulated worldwide. Our activities have made a real impact in communities across Toronto, introducing hundreds of people to the gaming arts and giving game-makers a vital creative platform to express themselves. Today, Hand Eye Society continues to expand and develop its operations and programming, serving both the games community and the “game curious” public in Toronto, the GTA, Mississauga and beyond. 

Now in its 10th year, Hand Eye Society is closer now than ever to becoming an established, sustainable non-profit arts operation, staffed by a diverse and passionate group of artists, admins, and technologists who love the medium and the community. This year, we received our very first Operating Grant courtesy of the Toronto Arts Council, which is a huge step towards our sustainability goals. However, it’s not nearly enough to cover our day-to-day operations. We are always seeking alternative revenue sources in order to cover artist fees, staff labour, equipment purchases, research and development for new programming, and everything from flying in international guests to providing TTC tokens and snacks for our hard-working volunteers.

And that’s where you come in. Every ticket purchased, every sticker or shirt bought, every Membership dollar, helps keep this organization alive and thriving. It also ensures the vast majority of our year-round programming remains free, accessible, and open to the public. And with your help, we will soon be able to fully realize our long-term dreams, including artist residencies, commissioned work, new workshops and programs, more meaningful community engagement, and so much more!

We have so many plans for the future. To all of you who are helping to make that happen by volunteering, sponsoring, purchasing a ticket to the Ball, or any number of ways big and small, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

What do we do for the other 364 days of the year, when we’re not running the Ball? In 2019 alone, we also organized the following major events and initiatives: Comics X Games / Camp Make-A-Game / Game Curious at Chester Le and 4 whole programs with Evergreen Brick Works / Ontario Creates Fund Futures / WordPlay / Geek Chic Fashion Show and Play2Practice / Numerous workshops at Toronto Public Library branches all over the GTA / I could go on!

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#HESBall19: 100% Walkthrough

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Important Items to Bring
• General FAQ
• Wheelchair and Accessibility
• Safe Spaces and Contact Info
• Sponsors

Important Items to Bring

🎟 TICKETS 🎟

You will need to bring your Universe ticket with a QR code and unique alphanumber underneath, preferably printed out to minimize fumbling with devices. Each ticket is good for ONE scan at the door, after which you will need a hand stamp for re-entry.

Tickets at the door will be $60, cash only. Subject to availability.

Transfers and Refunds

There is no guest list and we don’t check names unless you are a Member or VIP ticket holder, so transferring is a simple matter of giving someone else your ticket as long as it hasn’t been already scanned. Refunding is also easy; just do it via your Universe account, or e-mail amanda@handeyesociety.com and we will sort you out.

🔎 GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID 🔎

This is a 19+ event and venue security will be checking ID at the door. No exceptions.

💸 CASH + CREDIT 💸

Food: Our food vendor Comiditas takes cash and credit.

Drink: The venue is licensed and will be running a cash bar.

Merch: We will be taking cash and credit.

There is an ATM onsite by the elevator landing on the main level, and another at the convenience store across the parkette on Scollard Street.

🌈 WRISTBAND IDENTIFICATION 🌈

We will be issuing these at the door. Please keep your wristband on at all times! It is your passport to magic and adventure, and also lets Security know you belong in the building and aren’t some minion of the Party Crasher looking to give folks a hard time.

PURPLE: VIP

GREEN: Members

TEAL: General Attendees

YELLOW: Staff

PINK: Volunteer

LIGHTS: Staff and Safe Spaces Officers

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General FAQ

When do doors open? How late can I dance for?

Doors open to VIPs at 7 PM and general attendees at 8 PM sharp. This year, we are also offering tickets at the door! Door tickets are $60 cash only, subject to availability.

The party officially ends at 1 AM, though things typically start winding down after midnight (we do encourage you to stick around at least until then, just in case something interesting happens. Just a hunch!)

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Is there a dress code?

This is probably one of our most asked questions! There is no strict or enforced dress code, but we do encourage people to put the “fancy” in “fancy videogame party”. Whatever that word means to you, whether it’s a decadent masquerade ball mask or 20 top hats stacked on top of each other, feel free to wear it!

We will also have a coat check. It is free, but neither Hand Eye Society nor 888 Yonge Inc will be responsible for lost or damaged items, so please keep all valuables on your person!

What’s the sitch with food and drink?

Our food vendor Comiditas will be providing a variety of tasty Peruvian fare including gluten free and vegan options! Check out the full menu and price list here (may be subject to change).

This year, the bar is being operated by 888 Yonge, which is a licensed venue. Beer, wine, and mixed drinks will be offered. There will be bars on both the main floor in the Concert Hall and the Red Room.

Whatcha Buyin’? Whatcha Sellin’?

We’ve got merch this year, emblazoned with our cute, wide-eyed logo designed by Josh Holinaty! All proceeds go directly to Hand Eye Society’s operations and programming.

Enamel Pins: $15

Tote bags: $10

Stickers: $3

Posters: $10 ea., $15 for both

Bundle (1 ea. of above + 5x stickers): $30

Bundles are a value of $55! Save $25 and support your local videogame arts non-profit at the same time.

Plus, HES Members and VIP get 15% off! Just flash your appropriately-coloured wristband.

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Will there be WiFi?

Unfortunately, there will not be WiFi this year, so if you don’t have data, bring a friend who does! Use of the #HESBall19 hashtag is encouraged.

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Are photography and videography allowed?

We will have an official photographer and videographer on site, so please keep in mind you may be recorded over the course of the evening. Footage and photos may be used for Hand Eye Society promotional purposes, such as Youtube videos or public photo albums.

Informal photography, videos, and sharing on social media using the #HESBall19 hashtag is generally encouraged. However, please be mindful of people’s space and privacy. Refrain from taking and sharing photos that are focused on strangers’ faces or bodies without their consent, and be mindful that just because someone is dressed up in a cool outfit doesn’t mean they want people taking photos of them. Ask permission if you are unsure.

See also our Safe Spaces Policy below.

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Is there parking in the area?

There’s no venue parking, but there is some street parking on Davenport. Don’t park in the Canadian Tire lot as it closes early and traps cars. That being said, the venue is just a few minute’s walk from Bloor-Yonge Station if you’re taking the TTC.

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What about smoking, vaping, and cannabis?

The usual laws apply and you will be asked to move an appropriate space away from the venue if you need to light up outside. There is a parkette called, appropriately enough, The Ancient Path across the street that you may use as well.

888 Yonge is a licensed venue and as such, it is illegal to bring in outside drink, edibles, or other substances.

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HES throws awesome parties, but what else can I do to get involved?

So glad you asked! We’re a non-profit videogame arts organization that runs a variety of cultural and educational programming year-round, some of which is supported by your ticket purchase. Some of these activities include game-making workshops, social meetups, annual festivals and partnerships with other artistic communities both local and international. Visit our Programs and Initiatives page for more information, and consider subscribing to our e-mail newsletter, Facebook group and Twitter feed to get news fast. You might also consider becoming a member or volunteer!

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Ssshh, the Ritual is in Session….

You! You remember. The Archivist can see it in your eyes. Yes. The history of this place and the Hand Eye Society may have been scattered to the wind by evil forces, but you can help. Every memory restored in the Timeline is a seed of victory. What do you remember?

Every year during the Ball, mysteries abound. There is no FAQ for that which presents no easy answer. You may however catch an exclusive glimpse of the strangeness to come by purchasing a VIP ticket, which comes with a free drink, access to a pre-party reception in the fabled Red Room, and a chance to experience a custom game (available to VIP ticket-holders only!) designed by acclaimed local game designer Droqen and co.

As for the rest of you general attendees? Never fear! There’s always something growing in The Thousand-Year Garden, a meeting place that transcends time and space. Play games, do quests, and defeat the Party Crasher once and for all by having an inter-dimensional blast!

This year’s meta-game is brought to you by Len Predko, Paloma Dawkins, Daniele Hopkins & Kyle Duffield of Electric Perfume, Jillian Wakarchuk, Jesse Gazic, Andrew Shenkman, Alexander Martin (Droqen), Dani Jones, Mark Sparling, Kit Grant, Dani Jones, and Saffron Aurora.

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Wheelchair and Accessibility

Regretfully, although there is an access lift to certain parts of the building, 888 Yonge is not a particularly wheelchair-friendly space. There is an alternative entrance around back for wheelchairs so it is possible to get to the main Concert Hall. However, the 2nd floor is completely non-accessible due to stairs and the 5th floor may require some trial-and-error with the elevator due to maintenance issues causing the car to not line up perfectly with the floor when it stops.

There is a wheelchair bathroom off the main lobby.

If you are Disabled and/or in a wheelchair and intend on coming to the Ball, we encourage you to contact staff at ball@handeyesociety.com so that we may assist you in any way possible.

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Safe Spaces Policy and Contact Info

We have a Safe Spaces Policy which will be enforced and violators ejected. If you experience or witness harassment, contact any of the volunteers who will be prominently wearing an easily identifiable coloured light about their person. We will also have Safe Spaces Officers who are available to take down reports, and hired security onsite.

You are also encouraged to tell Safe Spaces Officers or staff about incidents or people who have made you uncomfortable, even if you don’t want any action to be taken. Awareness is a good step to prevention!

You may email us at safe@handeyesociety.com or use our anonymous reporting form to let us know of any concerns, or contact the general HES Ball team at ball@handeyesociety.com with general inquiries.

HES Ball Team

• Sagan Yee: Executive Director
• Amanda Wong: Ticketing
• Ken Cho: Tech and Equipment
• Len Predko: Meta-Game
• Brendan Lehman: Music
• Pree Rehal: Volunteer Coordinator
• Kit Grant: Volunteer Coordinator
• Kai Winter: Volunteer Coordinator

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Our Sponsors

Huge thanks to Ubisoft Toronto, Aird & Berlis LLC, CWA Canada, Game Workers Unite, Slanted Door, MKM Group, EGLX and ID@Xbox for their support!

Lead Sponsor

Artist Patrons

           

Venue Partner and Fundraising Support