Playford-to-the-Present Ball
2010 Information
DATE: Saturday, October 2, 2010
LOCATION: The Pasadena Scottish Rite Cathedral is located at 150 N. Madison Avenue (between Walnut and Union), Pasadena, CA 91101. Close to Old Town Pasadena, the hall is convenient to the 110 and 210 freeways. There is plentiful free parking in the lot adjacent to the hall.
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Ball dance review, focusing on the more complex dances.
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Break for dinner, or bring your own afternoon tea (see below)
A concert by the Occasional Consort will take place during the break, from
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
7:00 - 11:00 p.m. Dancing (there will be two breaks with light refreshments).
BYOAT (Bring Your Own Afternoon Tea): During the break between the Review and the Ball, the hall will be open and tables provided. We will provide hot tea, iced tea, and water. Dancers are encouraged to bring an “indoor picnic” to enjoy. At past balls, many people have brought elegant china, silver, and table settings. Please feel free to do so. If you are able, please bring an extra setting with you, and invite a new friend to sit at your table. Be prepared to take home dirty dishes; no dishwashing available. There will also be disposable plates and utensils for those who have brought food, but not tableware.
BREAK FOR DINNER: There are many nice eating places in Old Town Pasadena a half mile away for those who prefer to dine in a restaurant.
WHAT TO WEAR: Attire is “Festive/Formal” from any era. The dances span the years 1651 - 2010, and the attire in the hall will likely do the same. Some dancers will be in vintage styles, some in modern formals. Wear whichever you most enjoy dancing in. In consideration of people dancing close to you, please do not wear strong perfume or cologne. There are large dressing rooms at the hall for those who wish to change into ball attire after arriving.
LEARNING THE DANCES: Designated Ball Practice and Style Workshops will take place on Sunday, August 29 and September 19, from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the ALHAMBRA MASONIC CENTER, 9 W Woodward Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91801. Easily accessible from the 10 and the 110 freeways. Admission is $8. Attendees do not need to be registered for the Ball.
As in past years, we will be providing instructions for all the dances. These will be mailed registrants, along with a CD of the tunes, by late June. We encourage dancers to use these instructions and music to learn the dances on their own.
Please note: this ball is geared towards experienced dancers! Dances will have one walk-though and be prompted for the first few repetitions, but it is assumed that all dancers are either familiar with these particular dances or are experienced enough to pick up dances on just one walk through. Several of the dances have complex figures that will require familiarity before the day of the ball even for very experienced dancers.
One dance, the fiendishly complicated Step Stately, will be done entirely without any prompting, or even a walk through. Special teaching sessions to focus on this particular dance will be announced.
If you need further information, have any questions, or would like to volunteer to help out, please contact Ball Committee Chair Frances “Sparky” Sotcher at 310-827-3618 or fsotcher@yahoo.com, or the registrar, Annie Laskey, at CCECD@aol.com or 310-837-3427.