Whats On: May Week Edition

May Week is hectic, or so we are told: thanks to Covid, experiencing May Week will be a first for many of us this year. Glitz, glamour, exhaustion, we are expecting it all, and if you want a definitive list of all the colleges’ May Week events, then look no further. Here is all the key information you need to know for this year’s May Week…

Christ’s

Set for the 21st of June, the Christ’s May Ball looks to be a timeless event, with the theme of “Mythos”. Amongst garlands and Greeks will be headliner Scouting for Girls, known for hit “She’s So Lovely”, among others.

Corpus Christi

Promising whimsical décor and beauty in excess, the Corpus May Ball’s theme is “Arcadia”. Occurring on the 24th of June, the final day of May Week looks set to end in style with Corpus headliner The Amazons. Indie Rock fans everywhere will be thanking this year’s Corpus committee.

Darwin 

Based more on the Leonardo Di Caprio film rather than the sinking itself, Darwin’s May Ball theme is “Titanic”. As the May Ball is occurring at the end of May Week, ticket holders are still waiting eagerly to hear who the headliner will be.

Downing 

Bringing Hollywood to Cambridge, Downing’s Theme is “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (here’s to hoping that the May Ball committee doesn’t share Quentin Tarantino’s love for feet). Happening on the 23rd of June with headliner Example, this May Ball looks set to be a success.

Emmanuel

Revelling under the stars, Emma’s theme is “Into the Night”. Listening to the music of Olivia Dean, Emma May Ball will welcome its guests on the 19th of June.

Homerton 

Starting May Week with a bang, Homerton May Ball was a great success, with headliner Big Narstie and the theme of “Gaia”.

Trinity 

Set to happen the day before Trinity’s famous rival St John’s, Trinity First and Third Boat Club May Ball will be on 20th June and presents stiff competition, with headliner Priya Ragu. This event promises to exude opulence.

St John’s 

If you have survived this long in Cambridge without hearing that John’s May Ball was named the 7th best party in the world by TIME Magazine, then well done (how did you manage it?). Keeping its theme secret until the day of the Ball, Johns has already got off to a strong start by announcing headliner Rudimental (after initial performer Clean Bandit dropped out just weeks before the event). John’s May Ball will be on the 21st of June and is set to be a night to remember.

Gonville & Caius 

Employing all the beauty and temptation of Eden, Caius is set to be a garden of paradise with the theme of “Saliga”. Welcoming its guests on the 21st of June, Caius presents headliner Netsky.

Churchill 

Turning back the clocks (to when brutalist architecture was popular?) Churchill’s May Ball theme is “Rewind”. Occurring on the 18th of June with headliner Breakfast, this May Ball looks well worth the trek.

St Edmund’s 

Paying homage to one of the most famous nightclubs in New York, St Edmund’s theme is “Studio 22”. Celebrating tolerance, diversity and acceptance, this May Ball promises to be vibrant and is headlined by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs on the 18th of June.

Image credits: Stephen Percy

King’s Affair 

Promising to be the ‘antidote to May Balls’, the King’s Affair theme is “Metamorphosis” (although, hopefully, nobody turns into a giant bug). Welcoming its guests on the 22nd of June, King’s Affair will be headlined by HAAi.

Jesus 

Unlike much air travel at the moment, Jesus’ May Ball is ‘Taking Flight’ on the 20th of June. Headliner Sigala promises to make this event the envy of many.

Robinson 

Alluring guests with the world of Cabaret and Courtesans, Robinson’s May Ball was a triumph, with headliners KAWALA incredible performance, and the Ball’s beautiful decorations.

Sidney Sussex 

Don’t forget your pennies for this one. Sidney Sussex’s May Ball theme is “Arcade”. Performing on the 23rd of June, the headliner is L Devine.

Trinity Hall 

As you would say to someone who mistakes Trinity for Trinity Hall, everything is not what it seems. This year’s Trinity Hall June Event theme is “Mirage”. As the event is not until the 23rd of June, the headliners are yet to be revealed.

Image credits: Eve Singleton

Pembroke 

Much like Serena Williams in this year’s Wimbledon ballot, Pembroke’s May Ball seeks to be a “Wild Card”. Welcoming guests on the 22nd of June, time will tell whether the secret headliner will blow all of Cambridge away.

Peterhouse

Occurring at the end of May Week, the oldest college’s May Ball looks set to be a starry night full of constellations. Biding their time, the May Ball committee has yet to reveal the headliners.

Hughes Hall 

Like many of us, with our exam results coming soon, Hughes Hall seeks to be “Out of the Woods”. Opening its doors on the 18th of June with an undisclosed headliner, time will tell whether Hughes Hall is in the clear.

Wolfson 

Inviting you into a fairytale, the May Ball theme is “Once Upon a Time in Wolfson”. As the May Ball is not until the 24th of June, the headliners have yet to be revealed. However, it has been confirmed that there will be a ball pit, which is hugely exciting for all those attending.

Image credits: Natalie Cotton

Magdalene June Event

Transforming Magdalene into every gardener’s dream, Magdalene’s June Event theme is “The Secret Garden”. Revealing what’s behind the door on the 22nd of June, Magdalene seeks to amaze with headliner FEET.

Murray Edwards Garden Party 

Promising to be one of the best day events in Cambridge, Medwards’ Garden Party theme is the “Summer of Love”. Bringing back the blue skies, the garden party is happening on the 19th of June, and features headliners Sam Parker and Codeko.

Lucy Cavendish Garden Party 

Seeking to be the main event, Lucy Cavendish’s Garden Party, “Lucy in Wonderland”, may outshine Queens’ May Ball. Occurring on the 18th of June with a silent disco, this event looks set to make Lewis Carol proud.

Newham Garden Party 

Let them eat cake: that’s the motto of Newham Garden Party. With the theme of “Versailles”, the garden party is set to be extravagant on the 21st of June.

Whether you are going to one May Ball or ten, this year’s May Week going head presents a welcome sight to all those who have been involved in years of May Ball cancellations. Pinned as the best week of the year, we hope you all have the most amazing time.

Feature Image Credits: Kiara Quirk 

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