Colonial Ball Through the Years

Nearly each day during the week between Christmas and New Year's Facebook's memory of the day was of the three of us attending the Colonial Ball during Patriot's Week in Trenton. I was actually surprised by how long this has been a tradition for our family.

Patriot's Week started about a decade ago now. That hardly seems possible. I think it took until the second year of the ball for me to bring it up to Don. He surprised me by enthusiastically saying he wanted to go. At that point none of us had Colonial attire, but he wore a tux he bought in 2000 when we had several events in a year where black tie was encouraged. 

The ball is designed as a chance for the reenactors gathering to wear their finery and hang out with each other. The public is invited for a nominal fee (this year it was $17.76 in advance, or $20 at the door). In exchange we were fed sandwiches and salads, and were given dance lessons so we had a shot of understanding what we are doing. The same caller also leads barn dances at Howell Living History farm. The steps are often similar. The barn dances, held three times a year, ask for $3 donation and are extremely kid-friendly.

In 2008 I wore a black dress and pearls. Ashley dressed up, too, as did Elizabeth, her American Girl Doll. Look how tiny Ashley is! 

In 2009, a year later two of us dressed in Colonial attire. Carin surprised us by making Ashley her own colonial gown, and a matching one for her American Girl Doll, Elizabeth. Don dusted off his tux. I cannot find the picture from 2010 or 2011, but I did blog about the 2011 ball.

 In 2012 we decided to go modern again.

In 2013 we wizened up and brought Maia for Ashley so they could dance together. This is around the time Cousin Hayden started to join us, too. My parents have been attending the ball since 2009. For each dance you need a partner. Everyone is friendly, and it is very easy to find a dance partner (especially if you are willing to learn the man's part), but both of us prefer dancing with Don. Fortunately he prefers dancing most of the dances. Note, Ashley is wearing the same dress she wore in 2009 (which she received the day after the ball in 2008), but with a skirt under it to lengthen the dress.

Patti and Neil also often join us at these dances. Patti loves dressing up.

In 2014 the ball was held at the Marriott hotel instead of at the Masonic Temple. It didn't feel the same. Again, Maia, my parents, and Hayden joined us. I also visited with Doreen, a classmate from high school, and saw other people interested in Trenton's history. 

In 2015 the ball returned to the Masonic Temple. For the first time my sister Melissa and her daughter, Aimee, joined us. This is the first year we have to place ourselves so Ashley is not blocking our faces. This was also the first year Ashley wore heels to the event.

In 2017 we did not purchase our ball tickets in time. In previous years we showed up at the door and paid $20 each (could have paid $17.76 plus fees had we purchased them in advance) and partied. That year they instituted a cap. 

In 2018 I made sure to purchase our tickets the day they went on sale. Good thing as it did sell out. The ticket price was raised to $25 each. Still a bargain for a night of dancing and light food while wearing period attire. Patti, Neil, my parents, Melissa, Hayden, and Aimee skipped it this year. It was odd just going as the four of us (three of us, plus Ashley's friend, Maia). The biggest challenge was keeping the camera safe and still dancing. Heidi (Maia's mom) has a friend (Jean) who loaned the girls their period attire. Heidi used her seamstress skills to adjust them to their tiny frames. They felt wearing the Colonial dresses would make their evening more fun. As they danced every dance (we sat out one to take pictures), alternating the man and the woman's sides, they looked like they were having fun. I brought my Colonial gown out of retirement for the event. It felt a little big on me. I remember the sleeves and bodice feeling tighter. The waist is a drawstring, and I had to bring that in further, too. The best part was we remembered many of the steps. Maybe this will be the year we go more often than the ball (there are monthly gatherings in Princeton of English Country Dancers).

My drawstring waist kept slipping

In 2019 we bought our tickets ($25 each) the day they went on sale. They sold out the morning of the ball. Maia came with us again, which is always a treat. Maia and Ashley danced every dance. Don and I had to take a couple of breathers. Our caller, Sue Dupre, threw in a new-to-us dance that required three dancers. Poor Maia was left out, but she made some other friends for the dance. We didn't recognize as many people, but that was okay. We had a lot of fun and danced the night away. One note: they 

pushed the tables to the outer edges and opened the library to give us more space to dance. The band only took a brief 10-minute break, barely long enough for us to take pictures.

2020

I don't know how long this link will be available, but in 2020 Sue Dupre gave a lovely talk in Patriot's Week (Day) about Colonial Balls. It was a sad substitute for the ball. Hoping the ball can return in 2021.

2023

After four long years, Patriot's Week decided it was safe enough to bring back the ball. I did see one person wearing a mask, but for the most part it was just like it was in 2019. Locally, there is an uptick in cases, but that wasn't the case when the decision was made. Don and I bought our tickets (now $40 each) as soon as Sue Dupre announced the ball was happening. My parents meant to, but they didn't until a couple of days in advance. Fortunately it had not yet sold out. Dad is having troubles walked, so he opted out of dancing. My foot has been bothering me, so I encouraged Don to invite my mom to dance a few with him while I sat with Dad. Maia is since married and living out West. Ashley and Anna were not interested in going.

Of note, while Colonial Attire was not required, the vast majority of attendees wore period attire, though not necessarily from the Colonial era. I did see one woman wearing the same Colonial dress that I own, making me glad I did not wear it this year. I know there should be no shame in wearing the same outfit, but my inner high schooler would have been mortified! This way, she didn't know.

Mom was happy to dance, and Dad promised to work on PT so he could join her on the dance floor next year. The staff directed him to an exit that did not involve as many stairs, making him a happy camper at the end of the night.

2024

Another year, another ball. Don was flattened by the Flu, and I couldn't someone to take his ticket, so I went with my parents (who already had tickets). Despite Dad's promise to work on his PT, he sat out all the dances while enjoying the snacks. The event was similar to past years, but caller Sue Dupre did include a special dance in honor of the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette's grand return to the United States in 1724-25.

Once again, the vast majority wore Colonial attire. We also noticed the sold out crowd is skewing younger. Rather than being the average age, or even on the young side, we are now the older people. It is encouraging for the future of the event as ticket prices are now $40 each.

With Don sick, I nearly stayed home. I glad I went, if for no other reason so mom could dance. Thankfully the foot pain I had last year did not bother me this year, but I chose the wrong shoes. Ouchie!

Colonial Ball 2024

Another year, another ball. Don was flattened by the Flu, and I couldn't someone to take his ticket at the last minute, so I went with mom and dad (who already had tickets). Despite dad's promise to work on his PT, he sat out all the dances while enjoying the snacks. The event was similar to past years, but caller Sue Dupre did include a special dance in honor of the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette's grand return to the United States in 1724-25.

Musicians

As we noticed last year, the vast majority wore Colonial attire, with a few dressed up like me and at least one person wearing business casual. I also noticed the sold out crowd is skewing younger. Rather than being the average age, or even on the young side, we are now the older people. It is encouraging for the future of the event as ticket prices are now $40 each.

With Don sick, I nearly stayed home. I glad I went, if for no other reason so mom could dance. Thankfully the foot pain I had last year did not bother me this year, but I chose the wrong shoes. Ouchie!

Some pictures:

Until next year's ball.

Portals Do Exist

This past spring the New York-Dublin Portal (a.k.a. "The Portal") opened in New York City's Flat Iron District. I am certain I saw it being set up in Times Square before it was moved, but quick searches are not finding any proof. I doubt I took a picture of it. It was an 8' circular screen being set up with no indication of its purpose.

Soon afterwards we learned it moved, but as it was in a part of the city we rarely visit (or so we thought), we didn't think we would see it.

According to Wikipedia, The Portal is an interactive installation by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys that allows people in New York City and Dublin to interact with each other through a video screen. It started as a 2021 project connecting Vilnius, Lithuania to Lublin, Poland before moving in May 2024 to Dublin and New York. 

Within a very short time, the 24-hour/7-days a week exhibit was shut down due to inappropriate behavior. A week later it reopened. It closed again. By the time we were in the Flat Iron District it had a sign saying it was closed for the evening. Come back later. No indication of when it would be open. We ended up passing it a few more times, always seeing the same sign: Portal is asleep -- back at 8 am. As you can see in my picture, it was broad daylight. No idea what time it stopped running.

When we heard it was moving to Philadelphia, we wanted to see it before the City of Brotherly love closed it, too.

The portal opened on October 22 in Love Park, and moved a few weeks later to make room for Christmas Village. A week later we left for Australia. The weeks since we returned have a blur of jet lag, post election depression, Christmas, and illnesses. Though we went to Philly for the holiday bike ride, we did not go into Center City.

The rules in Philadelphia are different, but the gist is the same. People see into a square in real time in another country. The two big differences are instead of being on 24/7 portal, it is open from 7 am - 10 pm; and it bounces between three different cities: Vilnius, Lithuania; Lublin, Poland; and Dublin, Ireland. You can tell which country is being shown by the tiny flag in the upper part of the circle. No one notices that at first, so everyone asks the same questions allowing those who have been there for an extra five minutes to feel like experts.

It is easy to see the weather, and daytime vs. nighttime, but that's about all I got out of the experience. I'm a bit disappointed my images are not clearer.

In each case you can see a city square, people, and traffic -- life happening. What you cannot do is hear what is happening in the other sites. I was really surprised by how bizarre it is to spy on people in semi secret while they do the same. An early reviewer compared it to being on display at a zoo. While looking into the other life being lived across the ocean, I wondered exactly what did they see in our world? How wide is the lens? Can you be seen if you are not directly in front of it? How close is optimal? During COVID lockdowns it probably felt like a lifeline to a place other than where you were stuck.

As neat as it was to see, without hearing the other side, the novelty quickly wore off for me. While waiting for Don, I stood farther back and watched the crowd interactions. For me that was more fun than being one of the monkeys on display.

If you happen to be in Philadelphia, check it out. If you know someone in one of those cities, try to time the visit so you see each other. Though, with FaceTiming, what seemed like magic a decade ago is something most of us can do through our smart phones.

 

Philadelphia Bike Coalition's Holiday Ride

First there was the bum leg.

Then the bum car (after a deer ran into it).

Then the bum weather (warm, but rainy).

As they say in baseball, three strikes an you are out.

The bum leg meant Don wasn't sure if he could ride a bike.

The bum car meant the bike rack would have to go on my convertible, and would have to be two separate bikes instead of the tandem.

The bum weather meant we would get wet, and as we already had colds that would not be fun.

Instead we drove into Philadelphia and walked through the neighborhoods with the best displays. For me, this was a win ... I got to take pictures and enjoy the displays. Don, I think, missed the riding portion of the event. At least this way he could pick up the t-shirt he ordered to support the organization.

We did see them at the end zipping by too quickly to take pictures.

What fun is that?

There is also a trolley version