Sonoma State University’s Disney Club will be hosting its Third Annual Ball on Friday, April 12 at 8 p.m. in Ballroom A. This year’s theme of the ball is “Arabian Nights,” paying tribute to the highly anticipated live-action remake of  “Aladdin” hitting theaters in May.

The Disney Club was started in Fall 2016 when founder Andrew Munch was looking to find a community of people who shared his passion and interest for all things Disney. Transferring from Santa Rosa Junior College, Munch came to Sonoma State assuming that the university had a Disney club he could join. After realizing no such club existed, Munch created a place where everyone is welcome and encouraged to share their love for Disney.

“We strive to make a safe place to relax, ‘nerd out’ and find friends in the often stressful and isolating world of college life,” said Munch, who graduated from Sonoma State last year.

The past two themes of the ball were “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast,” coinciding with the release of the modern take on the classic movies. These events give Disney fans a chance to put on a beautiful dress or a suit jacket and have a magical night away from their worries.

Every year, the club kicks off the semester with their Mad Hatter Tea Party, getting everyone to mingle over tea, coffee, juice and lots of sugar. 

By coming up with ideas for the club and the community, these get-togethers provide a special place for students with the similar interests. The club provides an array of activities for students to particpate in, such as club parties, movie days and, of course, the annual ball.

Current president, Alyssa Geyer thinks they deserve more recognition and wish more students knew about the club and the benefits of joining it.

“The Disney Club has benefitted the school over the years by providing students with a vibrant community of people who want to have good, wholesome fun or want to make a difference in their community,” said Geyer. “One of our main missions is to make Sonoma State a little more magical with each passing day.”

The Sonoma State Disney Club meets the first and third Saturdays of each month from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Alexander Valley Room on the second floor of the Student Center. 

If anyone is interested in joining the club, feel free to contact them at [email protected], find them on Instagram at @ssudisneyclub or on Facebook under “SSU Disney Club.”

“I think it’s important that colleges have clubs like these where students are able to find friends with the same hobbies and interests,” said April Stoner, a relative of a Sonoma State student. “Almost everyone has a connection with Disney in some way.”

On Friday, April 12, you’ll find a whole new world with an evening of dance, color and Disney magic at the Third Annual Ball. Semi-formal attire is required, so dust off your old prom dress and come enjoy the night. 

“The two guests who seem to be having the most fun will be crowned Prince and Princess!” according to the Seawolf Living website. The ball is free and open to the public.