In the past year, Bounce Innovation Hub has continually set the bar higher in its events by converting our spaces into a lively banquet hall for “Perfect Pairings: Tequila… and more Tequila,” and an energetic conference center stage for 2024’s Startup Showcase. This year, for our third annual Perfect Pairings fundraiser, the team set out to build on the presentation of past events and expand that into the brand-new second floor of The Generator completed last December. An idea blossomed to turn Bounce into an exclusive swinging jazz club with a secret speakeasy on the second floor where attendees could connect and convene over live music and craft cocktails. Thus, “Perfect Pairings: Gin & Jazz” came to be.
The evening started as many of Bounce’s signature events do, with both new and familiar faces entering the front doors and striking up conversations with each other on their way to grab a drink or a seat in The Generator. However, as staff ushered everyone into Bounce’s Signal Tree event space for dinner, the night took a turn from years’ past as live jazz music began to play from the room. An ensemble of local jazz artists, hand-selected by the University of Akron’s Chris Coles, filled Signal Tree with energy and excitement for what was to come throughout the night.
During an elegant dinner, Bounce CEO Jessica Sublett took to the stage to welcome everyone and kick off the festivities with a presentation from the event’s alcohol partner, Seven Brothers Distilling Co., on the history of gin production and an overview of some of the spirits that would be available to sample later in the evening. Following them, Tony Troppe of the BLU Jazz family of companies took the stage and enchanted the audience with a showcase of Akron’s role in shaping the jazz scene in the region, as well as highlighting the different ways and places where people can go to support and enjoy jazz in the Akron area.
At the conclusion of the meal and presentations, Jessica announced that each table would be dismissed to ride up Bounce’s freight elevator as the only way to enter the speakeasy that was created for the event. Excited chatter could be heard around the room about what to expect and where they would be going. When the elevator reached it destination one floor up, guests were immediately met with more live jazz music, this time from Louis Pettinelli Entertainment waiting just outside the elevator. Black and green curtains invited guests into the back entrance of the Burton D. Morgan Ideation Studio on the second floor of The Generator, along with a sign that read, “Welcome to THE HUB Speakeasy and Lounge.” Inside the doors, the space had been transformed from a state-of-the-art classroom into a moody speakeasy; complete with curated furniture from Birchwood Supply Co., silent movies playing on a screen, and just enough ambient lighting to give the entire room a warm, intimate glow.
The room quickly began to buzz as everyone made their way around to see all of the décor and vignettes placed throughout. On one side, a line formed at a craft cocktail bar featuring spirits from Seven Brothers. On the other side, the distillery had set up a station for gin samples where guests learned more about the flavors in each of their recipes. A stunning dessert spread from Westside Charcuterie lined the back wall to tempt all those who walked past. In every direction, groups of people had formed to network over drinks, snap commemorative photos with a custom backdrop made by Sabertooth Public Art, and take in the atmosphere created for the evening.
The hustle and bustle continued into the night as the event concluded with winning raffle announcements. Cheers erupted as winners made their way to collect baskets featuring exclusive packages from BLU Jazz+, Hand & Stone, the Cigar Lounge, and Seven Brothers. A few final remarks and thank-you’s were made to the crowd before the lights came on and guests made their way through the exits; smiling, laughing & chatting about their experience of an unforgettable evening at Bounce Innovation Hub.
