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viennabelleIn our house, Valentines Day has become a major holiday. Its occurrence this year on a Saturday made it even more delightful. Several weeks ago, I promised a friend that I would attend Washington's Birthnight Ball at Gadsby's Tavern Museum--which had really been the General's favored public establishment during his lifetime. Of course, I did wait until the last possible minute to get tickets--but luckily, my friend works at the museum and had already set them aside when the event sold out!
So, we went--and made a hasty reclamation of my DH's kit, which he hadn't worn for three years. In commemoration of the date, we both wore red. It was a marvelous evening, with musicans playing from a loft above, elegant dancing, gaming, sweets and festive drinks! We mixed with old reenactor friends as well as astonished friends from the political word (who never imagined us in costume).
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joslinm wore a stupendous gown made from a sari she had custom woven to her specifications in India. My camera cannot do justice to the exquisite beauty of this fabric, which just glowed in the candlelight.
I slightly miscalculated the era of the dance (alas, my attire was a decade out of fashion), but the Mr. and I greatly enjoyed our night out. Many who attended came ready to portray various characters who were known to attend assemblies at the site two hundred years ago. To my amusement, quite a number of people asked if I was Madame George Washington! Alas, I was not her, but I was flattered to be compared with a woman of such reknown beauty!
Soon it was time for the assembly to begin! It started with a couple who danced a minuet. This dance involved complicated footwork, which the dancers executed with perfection, to the pleasure of all observing.
Then everyone started dancing!
Mrs. Gadsby observed that the evening was proceeding well and made sure that all availed themselves of the tavern's hospitality. She looked resplendent in a jeweled headdress that featured the biggest plume of the evening
This lady wore the most exquisite embroidered lawn gown and her companion may have chosen his outfit in order to send her an appealing message of love.
We were joined by a dear old friend who had found recent employment as a keeper of games and we enjoyed the delicious refreshments!
Then our tavern keeper joined us to share the latest news he'd picked up from his recent journey to Jefferson's Capitol. We amused ourselves at the gaming tables, then we remarked that the hour was late, so we commenced to journey home.
It was a happy celebration of love and a beloved president's birthnight! So...do these entertainments appeal? If you can come, consider joining us upcoming events, including one the night before CostumeCon (hint, hint!):
So, we went--and made a hasty reclamation of my DH's kit, which he hadn't worn for three years. In commemoration of the date, we both wore red. It was a marvelous evening, with musicans playing from a loft above, elegant dancing, gaming, sweets and festive drinks! We mixed with old reenactor friends as well as astonished friends from the political word (who never imagined us in costume).
joslinm wore a stupendous gown made from a sari she had custom woven to her specifications in India. My camera cannot do justice to the exquisite beauty of this fabric, which just glowed in the candlelight.I slightly miscalculated the era of the dance (alas, my attire was a decade out of fashion), but the Mr. and I greatly enjoyed our night out. Many who attended came ready to portray various characters who were known to attend assemblies at the site two hundred years ago. To my amusement, quite a number of people asked if I was Madame George Washington! Alas, I was not her, but I was flattered to be compared with a woman of such reknown beauty!
Soon it was time for the assembly to begin! It started with a couple who danced a minuet. This dance involved complicated footwork, which the dancers executed with perfection, to the pleasure of all observing.
Then everyone started dancing!
Mrs. Gadsby observed that the evening was proceeding well and made sure that all availed themselves of the tavern's hospitality. She looked resplendent in a jeweled headdress that featured the biggest plume of the evening
This lady wore the most exquisite embroidered lawn gown and her companion may have chosen his outfit in order to send her an appealing message of love.
We were joined by a dear old friend who had found recent employment as a keeper of games and we enjoyed the delicious refreshments!
Then our tavern keeper joined us to share the latest news he'd picked up from his recent journey to Jefferson's Capitol. We amused ourselves at the gaming tables, then we remarked that the hour was late, so we commenced to journey home.
It was a happy celebration of love and a beloved president's birthnight! So...do these entertainments appeal? If you can come, consider joining us upcoming events
- James Madison's Inaugural Banquet (set in 1809, costumes and modern formal wear allowed) March 14, 2009 ($100 per ticket, including dinner, $150 for pre-dinner reception).
- 18th Century Bread and Butter Ball (Set in 1790s, more advanced dances, costumes highly encouraged) May 30, 2009 ($45) (seems to me that it might a perfect occasion to debut a new stripey polonaise...).
