The Bryans’ Costume Ball will be held Sept. 23 to benefit Waveland State Historic Site in Lexington.
The ball will start at 6:30 p.m. at Bell House in Lexington. Music, dancing, food, costumes and more will fill this nostalgic evening. Bell House, a grand antebellum reception house on Bell Court just off East Main Street, provides the perfect setting. Guests are invited to gather from 6 to 6:30 for appetizers and costume change. At 6:30, the Lexington English Country Dancers will teach easy dances, Jane Austen style (if you can walk, you can do them). No need to bring a partner.
The Capital City Country Dance Orchestra from Frankfort will provide dance tunes, striking up the first dance at 7 p.m. Featured will be a Grand March – a procession to music, guided by a leader – for everyone.
The admission fee of $20 per person covers dancing and lessons; gourmet hors d’oeuvres; a chance to see Bell House, and a new exhibition of decorative arts from Waveland’s huge collection of donated artifacts. Proceeds go to the Friends of Waveland to help preserve and enhance the beauty of Waveland State Historic Site.
Waveland, home of Joseph Bryan, and Bell House, built by the Bell family, are both historic residences. Waveland was built in the 1840s at what is now a state park near Man O’ War Boulevard and Nicholasville Road, but it has no ballroom. Bell House, which burned and was rebuilt in the lavish style of the late 19th century, has space for dancing and mingling.
The costume theme is inspired by the late 19th-century social whirl of Bell House. Imagine a fancy dress party in the 1890s. Guests at such parties loved to wear Victorian versions of historic dress such as Medieval, Renaissance, Colonial or Regency styles. They also liked to dress as European peasants, ancient Greeks, fairy tale and Shakespeare characters, even concepts such as “Summertime” or “The Man in the Moon.” (Dressing rooms for men and women are available at the Bryans’ Ball). The range of costume possibilities is wide open, and modern formal wear is also appropriate. Costumes are not required.
Advance registration is requested by Sept. 15. Reserve tickets through Waveland, 225 Waveland Museum Lane, Lexington, 859-272-3611.
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