Working on a Dream ~ Please Excuse Our Cloud-Dust
We are delighted you have found us, but we are just setting up shop to bring you the very best dancing entertainments. We expect to be under construction ... indefinitely ...
We are so glad that you have found us! Plentiful information about The Steplively Valentine’s Ball appears below in the following main sections. While viewable on smaller devices, the greatest experience is accessed via a traditional desktop machine.
ONLINE TICKET SALES HAVE OFFICIALLY ENDED ~
BUT LAST-MINUTE TICKETS MAY BE AVAILABLE!
PLEASE CONTACT MR. STEPLIVELY'S PROPRIETOR AT:
DANCINGMASTER@MRCSTEPLIVELY.COM
YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT AT ANYTIME, BUT OUR RESPONSES MAY BE SLOW AS WE ARE BUSY PRACTISING OUR DANCES... WE CANNOT GUARANTEE SECURING ADMISSION AFTER THE MORNING OF VALENTINE'S DAY - FEBRUARY 14!
A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR - EXACT CHANGE IN AMERICAN CURRENCY ONLY
Details
Fundamental Informatives:
Ball Subscriptions are $50 and are all-inclusive of refreshments, dancing, entertainments and a mid-day review session. Subscriptions can be purchased HERE, or read about under TICKETS, below.
The mid-day review session will begin at 12:30 p.m. and last until approximately 3:00 p.m. The purpose will be to acquaint novices with the niceties of English country dance, and to make quick study of some of the specific titles from the evening’s dance programme for those of all experience levels. It will be held at the Hall where the Ball will take place that evening.
Doors officially open to welcome Ball Guests at 6:30 p.m. At 6:45 there will be a General Welcome, to acquaint guests with aspects of the evening’s programme and to offer some diverting entertainment, as well. Dancing will commence at 7 p.m. At about 8:30 there will be an extended interval, featuring more entertainments and a lush array of desserts, as our REFRESHMENT for the evening. Dancing will then continue through the night, until our concluding time of 11 p.m.
Recognizing the success of last year’s inaugural Valentine’s Ball, Mr. Steplively has been inspired to continue a new tradition ~ but with his own inimitable flair! Performances and entertainments will be a hallmark of the night, as Mr. Steplively has spared no pore of his brain in conceiving of as grand and full an event as possible. A summary of these DIVERSIONS appears just below - including description of "The Valentiniest Contest!"
Returning to the familiar Country Club of Petersburg, where Regency Society of Virginia balls have been held for over a decade, attendees are sure to appreciate the grand atmosphere. There will be some distinctions from these precedent Balls, however, as given in the NOTA BENE, below.
Dress
Period costume is not required, though it is appreciated and admired. Some guests will elect instead to come in Contemporary dress. We do ask that all Guests dress as they would for an Elegant Event, regardless of era. For those with a mind towards period-specificity, costume from the late-Regency (c. 1816 – 1830) would be most relevant. However, any attempt at historic or colourful Valentine’s themed attire will be appropriate – especially those striving to be the VALENTINIEST in attendance! Read more about "The Valentiniest Contest" under DIVERSIONS, below!
Diversions
In addition to the expected feature of proper Regency dance, Mr. Steplively has drawn together many other elements to surprise and delight every ball-goer. There will be performances of music and song. There will be party games and table games. There will be chances to embarrass yourself, or be embarrassed, depending on how close you find yourself standing to our inimitable Dancing Master at any given moment! And, introduced this year – “The Valentiniest Contest”! Yes, friends – many will think to adapt their attire to reflect the Ball’s Valentine theme, and some will make more meticulous preparations and efforts than others, ‘tis sure. They who make the extra swing may fairly be called the Valentinier amongst the Assembly. But who amongst them may be considered the Valentiniest? That answer shall be determined before your very eyes! Astute and Impartial Judges will evaluate the interpretations of “Valentiniest” offered before the Assembly we shall see who most thrillingly and uniquely brings the Valentiniest to our fete!
Refreshment
The Repast provided at The Steplively Valentine's Ball will be dessert-oriented only. PLEASE NOTE: We have just learned that the restaurant housed within The Country Club WILL BE CLOSED concurrent with our Valentine's Ball. Those who desire more substantial food and drink options before the Ball itself are encouraged to explore the pleasant offerings in nearby Old Towne Petersburg.
Tickets
It is our pleasure to offer subscriptions for The Steplively Valentine’s Ball to the General Public for $50. This subscription is all-inclusive of refreshments, an afternoon review session and all the delights that wait upon your attendance. Specifics regarding Subscription Policies can be reviewed before purchase on the associated Event page. There are also opportunities to enhance the pleasures that have been plotted and aid Mr. Steplively’s efforts to provide the richest experience possible to his guests. Reduced Subscription cost is achievable by either Volunteering at or Donating to the proceedings. You can also become a Sponsor, which holds a different Subscription tier. You can read about those specifics in the "CONTRIBUTE" section at the very bottom of this Valentine's Ball page.
Nota
Bene
We are deeply grateful for the patronage and support of the REGENCY SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA, who has hosted Balls at this same Hall for many years, as mentioned. We do wish to distinguish that this particular Soirée is hosted by Mr. Steplively himself, and that there will be some differences from those marvelous events hosted by The Society. There will be no name tags provided – Mr. Steplively prefers to encourage guests to exercise their memories – part of the social challenge of the Regency Ballroom – but if you wish to adorn such a personal placard, you may certainly bring your own. There will be no Cash Bar. There will be no Raffle - a Society tradition - but instead there will be a plethora of other entertainments, including "The Valentiniest Contest"!
Ball Programme
As advertised, Mr. Steplively has conceived of a Programme which takes us through many of the dance styles popular in the later Regency ballroom. All of these styles are readily learned in their basic sense and will be especially approachable for those who have done any form of traditional set dance, from English country dance to American square dance.
We welcome all Guests of Good Humour and Disposition. Although helpful, there is no prerequisite of experience with English country dance or the other forms referenced herein in order to attend and partake of the Dancing! And, as a Social Dance, partners are in plentiful supply, so one must not attend with one. There will be an Afternoon Review Session, from 12:30 - approximately 3 p.m. held at the Hall itself. There will be both a general review of dances from the evening's Programme, and a separate break-away class which will allow the Novice dancer some introduction to the niceties of the Regency Ballroom.
Dance preparation:
Some dances on the Programme will be accessible to all, including the Novice, while some will be more accessible to the Practiced. To the extent that Guests wish to maximize their time and enjoyment on the Dance Floor, we encourage that you attend the included Afternoon Review Session; that you consider studying Ball dances on your own or with friends using these prepared INSTRUCTIONS; or that you may seek out visual instructional materials ("videos") that can be accessed through small looking portals, widely popular these days. Many of the dances on our Valentine's Programme are discoverable as "videos" (with the caveat that these may differ slightly from how a particular dance is performed at our own Ball).
Dance Context:
Those who have attended Regency Society balls in the past will know that most dances for those programmes are taken from the late-Georgian and early-Regency periods, roughly from 1770 – 1810. There are many dance forms that did not emerge until after about 1816, however, and these late-Regency dance forms paved the way for early-Victorian dances in turn.
We will feature some of these late-Regency styles in our Programme, including Circassian (or Sicilian) Circle dances, Quadrilles, and free-form partner waltzes – alongside several country dances in familiar longways formation. We will also include a different closing set dance, La Boulanger, in place of the perennial Sir Roger! Fret not! For those who have primarily done earlier longways country dances, these later forms will be easily handled as they share many commonalities. Please click here for complete and printable Dancing Instructions.
Please contact Mr. Steplively directly if you have questions about dance matters via the following address: DancingMaster@MrCSteplively.com
Contribute
While your presence itself will be a gift, you can do even more to help make The Steplively Valentine’s Ball an unforgettable event – and perhaps receive some consideration in return. VOLUNTEERS and SPONSORS are sought – and DONATIONS will be gratefully received as well! All those who offer Aid to Our Cause will receive Public Recognition (unless they desire Otherwise)! Please contact DancingMaster@MrCSteplively.com to donate.
Volunteers: We anticipate needing Volunteers to assist with several areas on the Day-of-the-Ball. You will receive partial or full discount for you Ball Subscription depending on the area and amount you provide aid. Please contact DancingMaster@MrCSteplively.com to participate.
We have been very fortunate to receive commitments of Aid from numerous individuals and our roster of Volunteers is quite full!
Welcome Donations: ~Valentine’s themed decorations or appropriate decorating materials (e.g. pink crepe, red ribbons, flowers, etc.)
~ Food items, to be coordinated with prepared menu
~ Display signs & other print materials (informational signage, ball pamphlets, etc.)
Punch Sponsorship: for $150 you can sponsor the creation of a historically informed punch to be served at the ball. The punch will be named after you, as in “Mrs. Savedge’s Punch”. You can even participate in researching and selecting the recipe, and designate whether there will be only non-alcoholic, or both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. A toast will be raised in your honour during the refreshment interval with a glass of the punch bearing your homage!
Music Sponsorship: Our musicians for this ball come from near & far – and what’s more, Mr. Steplively has envisioned a very special wind trio to create the most mellifluous sounds for our Valentine’s fete! Providing hospitality (including lodging) for these traveling and hard-working players will only benefit from additional support. For $150 you can sponsor the best music we can offer, and in turn be named “The Guests of Honour” for whom an amorous Minuet will be danced. This traditional French honorific will be performed to a piece of music specially arranged for wind trio!
Cheeseboard Sponsorship: We have already conceived of a fine palette of dessert choices to offer guests at our Ball – but we always want more and better, in all aspects of our preparations! For only $150 you can amplify our dessert offerings with a traditional English-style selection of fruits, nuts and cheese. These are typically considered an appropriate pairing with after-dinner coffee or tea, which beverages will already be served along with desserts. As with the punch, you may participate if you wish in the selection of dried fruits, berries, nuts and cheeses, and a card bearing your name will be displayed on this table during the refreshment interval.
Souvenir Programme Sponsorship: There is a fine tradition at many balls of providing ball-goers with a small pamphlet or booklet. This booklet can convey many things, including specific dance instructions, layout of the evening’s time plot, other useful details, and also thankyous and recognitions. For $150 you can make the publication of these booklets possible! Your own name will be featured in this booklet as the sponsor of such.
Publicity Sponsorship: If only publicity were free… But sadly, it is not. In order to spread word to as many guests as possible, and fetch us as healthy and robust a crowd as we can, both digital and print materials must be procured. For $150 you can not only help defray the cost of initial efforts, but allow us to amplify our reach! You will be both publicly thanked at the Ball, as well as receiving written recognition on the Ball website for your support.
Mr. Charles Steplively | Dance Master