1850's Grand Ball
Presented by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance
On June 3, 2006 Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance will again present the Court Days Festival and the 1850's Grand Ball. The 1850's Grand Ball was a runaway hit at the first Court Days Festival in 2005, with dozens of people in the visitors gallery held in thrall for several hours. Several visitors stayed over three hours, saying "This is even better than a movie."
Everyone was fascinated by the beautiful mystery woman who simply sat regally throughout most of the ball, then disappeared just before the end. One person reported that she was a professional actress specializing in 19th century portrayals. Whether they watched or danced, participants felt they had traveled back in time to the 19th century.
Ball tickets are available at ticket outlets through March 31. Ball-goers need an early start for three reasons. One, tickets are limited. Two, because dance classes start on April 6. And three, because formal wear or period clothing is required and it can take some time to assemble 1850's attire. Even ball viewers will have to plan ahead slightly. Because of high visitor attendance in 2005, there will be two seatings in the visitors gallery, one at 7pm and another at 9pm. These are available to festival button holders or you may purchase a button at the door for $5.
Help is offered on 1850's clothing at two free workshops that are part of the 1850s Revisited series that Court Days offers. "Introduction to 1850's Clothing" is presented by Kathleen Conery on March 2 at 6:30pm at the Massanutten Regional Library. "Authentic Look: It's In The Details" is presented by Janet Moyers on March 8 at 6:30pm at the same location.
19th century dance classes offered
Instructor Rob Craighurst, who hails from "within a stone's throw of Mr. Jefferson's Monticello" is a frequent Shenandoah Valley guest caller for contradancing. In his period persona as 1850's dance master, Craighurst teaches "the pleasant art of 19th century social dance" at the "Rockingham Academy of Dance".
The dances will include galops, waltzes, schottisches, quadrilles and a party-game type of dances called Germans. The Germans involve such unusual props as parasols or five bedsheets pinned together, and all participants receive a handmade favor selected by their partner.
Don Barstow, chair of the ball organizing group, says "we have an extensive new decor plan." Nancy Dauer of Dauer Designs is coordinating the design and construction of sets for the ball and local garden clubs have promised fresh flower arrangements. When Victorian antiques and masses of ferns are added the room will be completely transformed. The parlor, old fellowship hall and a Sunday school room will become the waiting area and dressing rooms for guests. Barstow said the group is grateful to First Presbyterian Church for allowing use of Showker Hall for two years running. He said that period refreshments will be served to dancers. Barstow is also vice president of the local USA Dance chapter.
The orchestra coined its name, Crozet's Cotillionaires, after Col. Claudius Crozet, a former French soldier and engineer who taught at West Point, and was surveyor of the Blue Ridge in 1839. It is a group of professional and semi-professional musicians from Charlottesville. At the 1850's grand ball, they will play period music for waltzes, circles, polkas, galups and more on instruments appropriate to the 19th century -- violin, cello, flute, bowlback mandolin and piano.
Constance Muscenti, pianist for the orchestra, teaches elementary through college level piano and is an experienced player of period and ethnic dance music. She and Colin Ramirez have played for the Staunton Victorian Ball, English Country Dances and many international dance workshops with their band "Allodola". Allodola has also entertained twice at Harrisonburg's International Festival. Muscenti has studied with such piano luminaries as Jacqueline Schwab and Bob Hallahan to add myriad styles to her classical background.
Colin Ramirez plays period wooden flute and mandolin. A love of Irish music started him back to the long abandoned flute of his elementary days. He switched to the fine wooden flutes made by Nelson County artisan Patrick Olwell, later adding a reconditioned antique, perfect for playing music of the mid 1800's. Ramirez's other musical love is the mandolin, and his Neopolitan Bowlback is authentic to both period balls and Italian and Klezmer folk music which he also revels in. In addition to playing with Allodola, he performs with the Klezmer band "Simchah" and folk-country group "Tye River Band". A doctor at University of Virginia, Ramirez says "I have an interest in medicine also, but period music seemed like more fun than period surgery."
Peter Markush plays cello in the orchestra. Ever eclectic, Markush specializes in improv Cello as well as playing piano and many other instruments. He plays classical, traditional and original music with Albemarle-based Sugar Ridge Quartet, and acoustic pop-rock/punk with the Marzaks, as well as providing supportive cello to many singers and ensembles.
Jennifer Myer plays violin in Crozet's Cotillionaires. Myer returned to her ancestral home in central Virginia after many years as a violist and baroque violinist in European chamber groups. In the decade since her return she has maintained an active symphony, quartet and teaching schedule as well as plunging headlong into the world of playing for contra, Scottish and English country dances. Admirers comment on the panache she adds to dance music. She plays with the contradance group "Catharsis" and string quartet "The Encore String Ensemble".
The 1850's Grand Ball will be held at
* Showker Hall, First Presbyterian Church,
* 17 N. Court Square, Harrisonburg on Saturday,
* June 3, 7pm to 11pm.
* Period clothing or formal wear is required.
* Tickets at $25 per person ($15 for students), and $45 per couple
* Available through March 31 in Harrisonburg at
* OASIS Gallery, 103 S. Main St., 442-8188 ; at
* Downtown Wine and Gourmet, 20 W. Water St., 432-9463; and at
* Ragtime Fabrics, 60 W. Market St., 434-5663.
Space is limited. Visitors gallery is free to festival button-holders. The Court Days Festival and 1850's Grand Ball are supported in part by grants from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and the Arts Council of the Valley, as well as generous local sponsors.
The general public as well as ball-goers are invited to 19th Century Dance Classes taught by Rob Craighurst. Classes are Thursdays 7-9pm on April 6, 20 and 27, May 4 and 11. May 18 is the dress rehearsal from 6-10pm. Each session is $5. No registration is required. You do not have to bring a partner. All sessions are at Showker Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 17 N. Court Square.
For more information, contact Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance at 540/432-8922
Photo credit goes to Allen Litten.
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