Re: Victorian Ball, Sat. 3/24/07 in Carrboro, NC

On Mar 21, 10:49 am, trish_conn...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> On Mar 21, 8:02 am, "Amanecer" <dmsImersh...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > Triangle Vintage Dance is holding its fifth annual Victorian Ball,
> > Sat. March 24th in Carrboro, NC.  It is a great evening with energetic
> > country dances from the Civil War / Victorian eras (1860s-1890s),
> > taught and called like contra dances, interspersed with couple dances
> > like the Waltz, Polka and Schottische.
>
> Every year I go to the (Charles) Dickens Festival in Riverside,
> California. I go with a group of friends and we all get dressed up in
> clothing of the era. Most of our costumes we put together from our own
> closets or we scour vintage & thrift stores for things. But there are
> quite a few people who go who actually sew their own costumes from
> authentic patterns. It's quite the sight.
>
> It's a 2-day event and on Saturday night there is "Mr. Fezziwig's
> Ball," a dance complete with live (small) orchestra. The people who
> attended the festival during the day in their "day" outfits now change
> into their era evening clothes. This year is the first year I've
> stayed to watch the ball and I was entranced - reels, waltzs, etc. I
> can't wait to put together my formal ball gown and actually
> participate in the ball.
>
> Not everyone gets dressed up in costume - there were a few gents in
> slacks and even one man in his cowboy hat, and while some of the women
> were very elaborate with hoop skirts, etc., many were also in simple
> floor length dresses. The men seemed to gravitate toward military
> uniforms and most looked very handsome.
>
> Although the quality of the dancing was... shall I say...
> interesting ... by most of our standards, everyone looked like they
> were having the best time and truly enjoying themselves.
>
> What fun!

~
Although it's a little late for all you would-be period dancers;
Tonight Mar 24. 2007 there is the 'Grand Victorian Ball' at the
pasadena Masonic Hall. I have atended several times, and it is indeed
a  ball!  Live period orchestra, most folks are dressed, and though
it's not really dancing by our standards, it's fun playing dress-
up.    For info, see  www.victoriandance.org
~Curt