Well not yet, but I will be come Saturday afternoon.  I’ve participated in a variety of dance events, but attending a ball will be a first for me.  Not only am I attending the 52nd annual Quadrille Ball, I will be dancing the actual Quadrille, which is a nineteenth century social dance.  The presentation of the Quadrille, which is performed by a new class of dancers each year, will begin the dancing portion of the evening and will hopefully be the highlight of the ball.

Karl, who danced in 2009, brought me to the Prospective Dancers’ Reception back in October and practices began shortly after that.  The Quadrille is relatively easy compared to other dance styles I’ve done.  The dance is similar to but not as lively as Irish ceili dancing so I was familiar with dancing in a carre and some of the various figures (All those Thursday nights I spent at the Sixth Street Hall dancing with the wonderful people who make up Damhsa Uisce were not in vain!).  The most difficult thing I have to remember is to start on my left foot.  But while the Quadrille is not very physically demanding, it still requires poise, elegance, and grace.

We’ve had our last rehearsal, last dress fittings, and everything is ready to go… I hope!  It better be; I don’t want to be late for my first ball!

Read the article from Ball Trotter about the Quadrille Ball here,