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On Saturday March 6, Cranbrook is going to see an event like its never seen in its 102 year history – a full costume masquerade ball like they have in Venice and New Orleans to celebrate the end of winter and the onset of spring.
The ball is a fund-raiser for the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, one of the city’s leading tourist attractions and a Key city icon.
The inaugural event promises to add much colour to the cultural and artistic life of Cranbrook and it’s hoped it will become an annual event, says Museum Executive Director Garry Anderson.
“Historically, masquerade balls were a much anticipated part of the Carnival of Venice during the Renaissance. It was a way of celebrating the return of warmth, colour and life to the city after the cold winter,” Anderson says.
And while it hasn’t been a cold winter, it will still feel good to dress up, let your hair down a bit and celebrate those first green shoots that won’t be long in coming, he says.
The city’s first official masquerade ball will be held at 7 p.m. in the opulent confines of the Royal Alexandra Hall, which is the perfect setting for such an event. The Museum created 40 special capes and masks especially for this event, with two seamstresses hired under a provincial Job Creation Partnership program that began in August.
A limited number of these masks and capes are available to the public to rent for the occasion, and attendees are encouraged to use their imaginations when creating their costumes. While a light buffet will be offered all evening, the visual spectacle will be the main course.
Anderson says it promises to be a memorable evening as only a masquerade ball can. “With elaborate capes and masks, the revellers will welcome spring with music, dancing and laughter. It’s not unusual for participants to assume characters - not in the same sense of Halloween dress up -- but more of an elaborate costumed event.
“In Venice, attendees might arrive as characters from a pantomime, or as a caricatured version of a politician or statesman. Many would try to conceal their identity, which added to the mystery, romance and funs of the event. Exotic, fanciful masks and capes would help in the concealment.”
The Royal Alexandra Masquerade Ball will build on this theme, he says.
The licensed event will feature a DJ playing dance songs composed by the greats from the 1940's to artists who are currently taking the world by storm or have done so in the past.
“Expect to hear everything from Gershwin to Lady Gaga,” Anderson says. “It doesn’t matter if your more comfortable with a waltz than a watusi: more familiar with the twist than the tango; more jitterbug than jive. Guests will be certain to find something to bring them to their feet.”
“But you don’t have to dance or even wear a cape if you don’t want to,” Anderson says. “This will be one of the top social events of the year and you can just eat, drink and socialize if you want.”
Information on the event details, prices, ticket order forms and the inventory of capes and masks for rent can be seen on line at www.trainsdeluxe.com Early registration is recommended due to limited ticket supply. Tickets are available for singles, for couples, for a group of four, or a full table of eight.
For more information contact the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel at 250-489-3918 or email the museum at mail@tainsdeluxe.com.
