Anyone ever gone to a murder mystery party?

[mominwestlake]

Our band parents group is looking for an idea for a social gathering. We've done both casino and night at the races themes so now we are looking for a new idea. The main purpose is to be able to mingle with others who support our K-12th grade music program- band parents, choir parents, and really anyone in the community. It is an adults only party at a local party hall.

One idea that has gained some interest is a murder mystery party. There is a group that we would hire to act out the murder. The committee's job would be to make the invitations, decorate, assign roles (I am assuming the acting company would give us a list for the parts), organize food and beverages, and perhaps come up with door prizes.

First of all, has anyone gone to this type of event on a large scale (hoping for 150 plus people)? If so, how did it work?

Does anyone have ideas for decorations and door prizes?

Any thoughts on raffle prizes or some way for us to raise money for the music program in our school district?

I would really appreciate any ideas!

 

[Tinijocaro]

No, but you've given me a great idea for the next time I host "dinner club". Each month, the host comes up with a theme (Canadian, Alchohol, German, Japanese) and the whole meal is based on that theme. My last one was a Japanese dinner called Shabu Shabu and it was such a hit, I couldn't figure out how I would ever come close to that. A Murder Mystery Dinner!

Thanks so much for the idea!

 

[mominwestlake]

You're welcome! I just wonder if it would work on a much larger scale?

 

[KandD]

I'm actually hosting one this Halloween for the first time, but on a much smaller scale. There are actually a lot of websites that you could take a look at to see if it is something you would be interested in. It seems like a lot of fun to me!!

Just google murder mystery party and there are a lot of sites that have the kits for small parties (like 8-16 people) but they also have large (I think they call them corporate) parties too.

 

[clarabelle]

I did a small one at my home -and it just wasn't me. I was too busy being a hostess to participate -and I don't see as much of my friends as I would like -so having them around -but not being able to talk about regular stuff was hard.

I can't help you with the big group part -but I can tell you about what was fun about ours.
Dressing up! It was a 1920s speakeasy theme. It was a blast seeing everyone in costume.
I used big foam dice and chocolate poker chips for decoration. We took pictures of each couple (my DD acted as photographer)
I had 1920s music and drinks.

If I were going to do if over again I would recruit help and I would also make dinner -just dinner -so everyone can talk and not worry about maintaining character. It sounds like yours would be different -if actors are doing the mystery itself.

Maybe this will help a little

 

[golfgal]

We did one for a work event for DH's company. It was a lot of fun but I would say it doesn't lend itself to mingling much. It is very much like going to watch a play-the audience sits there and watches.

The group that we used acted out the main parts but then we were to select people to fill in other roles. The key is to get people that will get into their parts. They provided the costumes, scripts, etc. The actors had to be there early and they went over their parts for a while. The rest of the group had cocktails before the show and dinner started.

If people know each other somewhat, they are even more fun.

 

[mominwestlake]

Thanks KandD. I will definitely google and look at corporate size. Anyone have any other social/fundraising party ideas?

 

[golfgal]

Thanks KandD. I will definitely google and look at corporate size. Anyone have any other social/fundraising party ideas?

Do you have access to a riverboat cruise of any kind? Those are usually fun.

What about just a dinner/dance and silent auction of some kind? You could get business to donate gifts to auction off during dinner and then have a dance. Maybe during dinner have some of the music departments coordinate duos/quartets to play background music. The kids could also offer silent auction items like car washing, house cleaning, babysitting services, etc. We did this when I was in high school with our orchestra and raised over $10,000 in our first year.