Snow Ball fills winter dance card

The social event of the winter has a new name and a new sponsor.The Mukluk Ball - one of the staple events of Ely’s Voyageur Winter Festival - won’t take place this year.But music fans and those looking to dance won’t be left out in the cold.In its place is the first Snow Ball, set for Saturday, Feb. 5 (from 7 p.m. to midnight) at the Community Center.National blues artist Renee Austin and Minnesota-based Paul Mayasich will both perform at the event, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Boundary Waters Blues Festival.After Steger Designs opted against continuing the Mukluk Ball during the 2005 Winter Festival, committee members turned to the BWBF and organizer Mike Jankovec.“Patti (Steger) did a great job with the Mukluk Ball, and I want to make sure I don’t drop the ball,” Jankovec said last week. “We’ve tried to keep it pretty much the same, the same location, the same time, and have it run pretty much the same way. The only difference is that sales will fund the blues festival for next summer.”In existence since 2001, the BWBF has evolved from a one-night event at Whiteside Park to a two-day extravaganza at Winton’s Longbranch, bringing in blues acts from around the country and attracting fans from Ely, around the region, and even outside the state.Austin, nominated as the best new blues artist of 2004, was here during the summer but some fans missed her performance, which was delayed by a power outage during the festival. She agreed to return for the winter event.“She’s a well known player in the blues world, and we picked her because a lot of people missed out on seeing her because of the power failure,” said Jankovec. “And Paul (Mayasich) pretty much asked to come back. He’s a Minnesota artist and he really enjoyed playing here.”Tickets for the Snow Ball are priced at $15, although organizers will announce a limited advance sale, when tickets will be available for $10 at Ely’s Music Outfitters.Last month, council members agreed to give the BWBF a partial break on the Community Center rental fee, waiving a $60 per day charge but keeping a $150 fee for custodial services.“I think the blues festival brings a lot of economic activity to the city,” said outgoing council member Paul Kess.The council also agreed to allow alcohol sales for the event, pending the completion of proper paperwork and insurance requirements.Jankovec said he’s looking forward to a good show, following in the footsteps of previous Mukluk Balls, which have attracted large crowds and big-name acts to the Community Center.Steger Designs had sponsored the event for several years, and had returned proceeds to the Voyageur Winter Festival. Company representatives could not be reached for comment last week.“It’s a huge undertaking and a lot of work, but we think it’s going to be a great event,” said Jankovec.