The Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild join their friends in the Bay Area English Regency Society for a Regency Shipwreck Ball
Saturday,
21 June 2008
Arlington Community Hall
52 Arlington
Ave., Kensington
Free parking at the lot across the street from the Hall
The
Ladies of HMS Magnificus have organized this festive evening
to celebrate the First Year Anniversary of the Great Gale
Force that put us down on this tropical island. We will dance
and celebrate our Good Fortune. With British Pluck and True
Fortitude, we have flourished. All aboard the HMS Magnificus
survived the Great Shipwreck. We are well and optimistic.
We have named our new home, Rex Isle, in Honour of our Beloved Monarch. We raise the Union Flag over Rex Isle and claim it in the Name of George III. Captain Edmund Horatio Heigho, Commander HMS Magnificus and his Dear Wife, Lady Sarah, are our hosts for the evening festivities. The ladies have demonstrated remarkable flexibility and creativity. Lady Sarah has been energetic in organizing our New Island Society.
In the earliest days ashore, Captain Heigho feared greatly for the ladies and gentlemen who had taken passage aboard the Magnificus. He need not have feared. These ladies and gentlemen are the finest example of True British Pluck.
We have fared well on Rex Isle. The climate is temperate. There is fresh water, shellfish and tasty fruit. The ladies in our company are all talented with their needles. They have fashioned garments from vines, vegetation, and seaweed. Captain Heigho promises to wear his new waistcoat woven of tall grasses; created by Lady Sarah.
Mr. James Langdell has had an active year, giving music instruction to many of the crew. They have formed the New World Divertimento Dance Orchestra. Sir Alan Winston (formerly of Hilaris Hall in Shropshire) will honour us by calling the dances. We hope everyone attends this fine gathering. You may expect to see ladies and gentlemen, children, seamen, Naval Officers and perhaps even some of the Pirates from the Far Side of the island. There are sure to be some tasty island delicacies served for Our Pleasure. You will find games and good humor and fine company.
Buy Tickets!
GBACG/BAERS
Advance Tickets $13
Non-members Advance Tickets: $15
Everyone at the Door: $20
Send your check to BAERS c/o Schnatmeier, 1122 Hudson St., Redwood City, CA 94061
Note: If you are purchasing more than one ticket, please list the names of each person in your party. You, and everyone in your party, must be members of GBACG in order to purchase advance tickets at the GBACG price. We need to *receive* your advance payment no later than Friday, June 20th.
GBACG Meet-up at the Ball
We will have tables marked for GBACG members. Look for the GBACG table markers.
Costume
Suggestions
What does one wear to a Shipwreck Ball? Your choices are not limited to the Regency era. Let your imagination soar. Do you have an old Regency gown or shirt that is long past its prime? Or have you found a ‘Somewhat Regency-esque’ garment at a Thrift Store? Perfect. Just the thing for this evening.
We rescued everything possible from the ship before it went down. You may find pieces of fabric that were not too badly damaged by the saltwater. Combine those bits and pieces.
Drapery — An informal Grecian-inspired gown tied on one shoulder
Mixing patterns — A simple man’s shirt in the late 18th/early 19th c. style but, made from something other than white cotton. Add a pair of breeches that are tattered, faded and/or distressed.
Natural embellishment — Stitch two rectangle panels together to form the front and back of a straight sleeveless gown pulled on over your head. Create the empire waistline with twine or raffia. Tie shells into the twine or raffia for a multi-textured look. Sew small shells or irregular-shaped beads around the neckline. Add the one good item you saved from the Sea — a lace fichu. Do place a tropical flower or a cluster of small tropical flowers in your hair.
Scruffy — Don't be afraid to appear a bit untidy. Children will likely be somewhat scruffy. They are having a wonderful time playing and enjoying the freedom of island life. You won't easily get them out of their loose, comfortable, albeit ‘scruffy’ garments. Relax. We have so much good fortune to celebrate; a little sand and dirt won't do a bit of harm.
Pirates — We'll have a table just for the pirates. We all know what scurvy knaves pirates be — old boots, torn shirt, a cutlass and an eye patch! Avast, me hearties! The pirates are ready to go to the ball!