Gaskell Halloween Ball

Saturday, October 25, 7:30PM-Midnight

Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland

$20

http://www.gaskellball.com

http://oakland-scottishrite.org

http://www.brassworksband.com

“Ye Gaskell Occasional Dance Society has been sponsoring Victorian Ballroom dances for over 20 years. We currently sponsor 6 balls a year at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland.

We have live music played by the Brassworks of San Francisco, a group of 5 brass horns and a drummer led by Frank Davis. The dances feature Victorian Waltzes, Polkas, Schottisches, Mazurkas, and set dances such as the Sir Roger de Coverley and the Congress of Vienna.

The general format of the dance is three 40 minute and one 30 minute sessions of live music, with three 20 minute breaks. We also occasionally have other entertainment during the breaks such as Morris dancing. The first set starts at 8:30 PM, with the last set ending at Midnight. Starting at 7:45 PM is a dance workshop where members of the Society quickly cover the basics of waltzing, polkas and the schottische.

Our next ball is our Halloween ball, our largest and most spectacular event of the year. While you can come in semi-formal attire, Halloween is a chance to shine, so start finding/making your costume now. And bring your camera, as there we be all sorts of interesting costumes to be seen.

Now is the time for cosplay, historical costumes, future costumes, steampunk, and an array of other costumes.

Of course, do bear in mind that the goal is to dance in the costumes, so make sure you can move and turn without tripping! And no sharp, pointy parts that might damage the other dancers will be allowed!

Of course, the usual 19th, 20th and 21st century formal wear is always welcome.

Admission may be refused for those inappropriately dressed.

Refreshments are potluck finger food with the Society providing both fruit punch and ice water.”