Shirley Wilson and Jeremy Griffiths are ready for the Vintage Summer Ball.
PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS
Shirley Wilson and Jeremy Griffiths are ready for the Vintage Summer Ball.
PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS
Get out your old time glad rags, put on your dancing shoes and get ready for the 1920s Vintage Summer Ball.
Allison Douglas and Shirley Wilson are part of the team organising the ball to be held on the Sunday evening of Anniversary Weekend next year. Running the event is theCosmopolitan Club and a committee formed especially, says Allison.
The ball has been held for the past two years at the Cosmopolitan Club and there was a strong chance the coming one would not be held. "Most of us happen to dance at St John's as members of the Dance Adjunct," says Allison, "So we got together as a group and formed our own committee at the Cossie Club." There are five in the committee and it was formed purely for the one event.
Double Click from Wellington is the band and Allison and Shirley, who have heard the band before, say they play a good mix of music for modern and old time dancing. The band plays regularly in Whanganui. At the ball they will play from 7.30pm until midnight. "They have quite a following in Wellington so we could see a few of them coming this way," says Allison. As well as rock and roll and music to "twitch your tail feathers to" there will be music for lovers of social ballroom and the old favourites like the Gay Gordons.
The theme is in keeping with Whanganui's Vintage Weekend and Allison and Shirley say there is always a good turnout for the ball. Costumes shouldn't be a problem, says Shirley. "Most people [dancers] keep a little flapper dress somewhere." I assume she means the women ... although ... If you can't manage a vintage costume, formal dress is expected.
At only $30 a ticket — which included supper — they expect to just cover costs. The Cosmopolitan Club will cover the cost of the band. "If people want to sit as a group they need to book a table," says Allison.
Anniversary Weekend 1920's Vintage Summer Ball Sunday, January 21, 2018 $30 per person; tickets from the Cossie Club Members and bona fide guests welcome Tickets are limited so early booking is preferable.
