Victorian Ball, Bath 2nd of May, 2020

Dance the night away in Victorian finery!

Following the success of the last five balls we organized, (Spectacular Masquerade in 2013 and the Victorian ones in 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 and 2019), we are now returning to our beautiful venue, the amazing Assembly Rooms, in the historic city of Bath.

You can read about the past events here: 2015 ball here, an about the 2016 ball here 2017 here and 2018 here !

Pass the night away dancing polkas, waltzes and quadrilles; swanning around in ball gowns and tailcoats, sipping drinks, nibbling delicacies from the finger buffet and posing for professional photographs.

The dances will be mostly called and explained by our wonderful Dance Master - Stuart Marsden, and for those who would like a bit more practice there will be dance workshop earlier in the day.There will be a few freestyle waltzes, a polka and a gallop for those who want a bit more of dancing freedom.

There will be a cash bar at the venue, and a finger buffet ( meat and vegetarian options) will be served mid evening to revive the spirits and body.

Over 18 please, (16 plus if accompanied by an adult)

Please note, it is not a re-enactment or role playing event. Be yourself and enjoy yourself!

This is an inclusive event - all nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities etc are welcome - as long as your passion is history of fashion, dancing etc, and you are appropretly dressed, you are cordially welcome.

In the past years the ball attracted visitors ot only from all over the UK, but from the USA, Ireland, Russia, Neatherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Hungary and Finland - and probably some more!

Strict dress code!

2020 - The theme is Fin de Siecle, (1890-1902), though late Bustle styles are acceptable for more mature guests who dont follow the fashions too closely!

No earlier or later dresses, please, no Steampunk and no modern corset dresses etc. Also no modern hairstyles or blatant modern make up please.

We are aiming at a high lever of authenticity - and the previous balls were remarkable especially for the high quality of clothing - either made bespoke, hired or homemade. We wish to continue this trend and drive the quality even higher as more and more people comment on how incredible the feeling is - live music, dimmed lights, silk and lace swishing around, past elegance at its best!

There is a support group for those who make their own attire, as well as specific costuming/corsetry courses over the year.

For those who prefer to purchase their finery, there are a few companies, ours included, who are offering discounts for the ball goers as well, whether for bespoke or off the peg items. The list of the official dressmakers, milliniers, tailors etcwill be sent out with the tickets purchase information.

It is much easier for gents - White tie please. Uniforms if the era acceptable too

More detailed information and guidelines will be sent over once the ticket is purchased.

Important notice: Ladies, please remember that long trains are a trip hazard. Have the train, flaunt it on the entrance, flowing after you, display it fully for the photos, but for the dancing, all the ladies are required to hold their long trains up, or pin them up or bustle them. It will not only be a historically authentic thing to do ( period dancing books do advise that as well, rather a lot!), but it will be much safer both for you, other people, and your dress. You will also enjoy the dancing much more not having to worry constantly about tripping over.... So be fabulous - but safe too...

Prior Attire will not be liable to any damage to garment or body that results from a train dragging on

the ground...

Just like in the previous years, to revive us after the ball, we will be meeting at Pump Rooms for breakfast on Sunday (booking a table advisable - most of us is booking for around 10am). The food is amazing, the building spectacular and live classical music playing too - a perfect background for a Victorian matinee:-)

In the previous years we would add more activities before or after the ball - picnics, carriage rides, boating trips - I will keep you posted what the plans involve for next year...

All the updates will be posted both here and in our facebook event

To help with decisions, a board with Victorian ball fashions for the era has been set up on Pinterest - Here

The tickets for the ball and the workshop can be purchased in our shop

Additional information:

Sample Menu - details chage slightly every year

Hot dishes:

Jerk chicken with coriander yoghurt
Cod and chips with mushy peas
Leek & Bath Ale rarebit with onion confit

Cold dishes

West Country chicken liver parfait with Somerset apple jam
Quickes Cheddar scones with red onion chutney

Desserts

Mini lemon & raspberry tarts
Coffee & chocolate choux pastries

Special dietary requirements catered for - please leave note when purchasing your ticket, or contact me a month prior to the event.

Timings -

the dance workshop - 3pm, Assembly rooms

The Ball

door open at 7 -drinks, photography and socialising

8pm. dancing commences

9.15pm Break for buffet and drinks

10pm dancing continues till 11.30

11.45pm Carriages

12.00 Good night.... :-)

Dancing

We will practice most dances during the workshop, and they will be also explained , and called at the ball -so don't worry about your abilities, just join in, most of them are simple and easy to follow. If you have ever danced at a Georgian or a Regency ball, Victorian is not that much different:-)

Sample programme:

Grand March

Spanish waltz

Polka

Haste to the Wedding

The Princess Alice Waltz quadrille

Gallop

Vienesse Waltz

interval

Mr.Hart's Lancers

Boston Two step

Waltz Cotillion

La Tempete

Sir Roger de Coverly

North Downs Waltz

Vienesse Waltz

Gallop- Flirtation Finale

Below you will find the files with instructions

12 Waltz Cottylion

Boston Two Step

Haste to the Wedding

Dashion White Sergeant

links with videos:

PRIOR ATTIRE - 19^TH CENTURY BALL- BATH 2016
Grand Polonaise	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Um3wUL-pxw	This is stage choreography, hence all the bows and courtesy- the footwork is perfect.
Spanish Waltz	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwLsJ6JIYqw	This is the folk version and very similar. We will not be turning back to back (30 secs in) but will face partner, balance forwards & back.
Boston 2 Step	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngVLzm1FuI
La Tempete	No version available.
The Lancers Quadrille	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I24v9tZQDBA 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bY8SpJsn_4 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsjrAGQiQe8	1. This is Duval’s Lancers figures 1,2 &3 which is the same as Hart’s (the version for the ball) with the first figure being slightly different- the men do not form a star or dance around-, instead, all face their corner, balance and turn corners. 2. La Visite (figure 4) This replaces Les Graces (figure 4) 3. Finale as will be danced at the ball (the finale starts at 1:50)
Viennese Waltz	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXqre5Egnmo	This is a good version as it as the English dancing master taught the waltz (men start on the left foot)
Queen Victoria's Country Dance	No version available
Quadrille- Les Graces	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsjrAGQiQe8	Your dancing master is dancing and playing!
Polka Française	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajxfQk_zbjM	The polka does not have a set pattern of figures
Dashing White Sergeant	http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01n7bgj
1/2 Waltz Cotillion	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvmzVwWdRB8	Your very own dancing master is the first gentleman. We may do the half or full version at our ball- time dependant.
Sir Roger de Coverly	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwrSy_YI2Q	This shows the energy that is needed and the couple formation. - The figures will vary- be warned!
Duke of Kent’s Waltz	No suitable version available	I cannot find a film of the original 19^th C. version- there are many versions of Cecil Sharp’s 1920’s interpretation , it is different from the original as they dance them as 2 couple dances rather than 3. We will dance the original 3 couple version.
Gallop (Flirtation Finale)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOjxrlqJ9cE	This is the RSCD version. We will dance the 19^th Century version- the men on returning from the centre face the lady on their left and have their back along the line of dance (not to the centre of the room), we will gallop and not promenade