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| Resting from the dancing |
"A splendid ball was also given; where the CONSUL himself tripped it on the light fantastic toe." The Times, November 1803.
On Saturday 28th September, I held The Tailor's Apprentice's first
Regency Frolic! We celebrated the
1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains by Europeans with a ball in one of the Blue Mountains most iconic venues,
The Paragon Cafe.
It was a glittering affair in the elegantly appointed Paragon Cafe, the cafe was built in 1916 in the Art Noveau style popular in the period and creates the perfect ambiance for a celebration. Attendees reported that they felt they were at a private ball in a country estate, the feeling of intimacy and style was appreciated.
We started with dancing instruction from our
Dancing Master, Caroline Barrel, this gave those who had not danced in the style of the period confidence for the ball. Our music was played skillfully by
Mr Wentworth's Fancy, a group of local musicians who kept out feet moving joyfully all evening!
Then the commencement of the ball proper with a grand march, then we moved into the dances of the period. We adjoined for an elegant dinner in the style of the period, all receipes prepared by the
Two Hat Chef of The Paragon Cafe from recipes of the Regency period. This was followed by a wonderful performance by our
soprano Gabriel Bieniek. Then more dancing till we had to end. Those preferred the card room to the ballroom were accommodated with games of the period,
Loo, Over and Unders, Whist and Hazard.
As my photos below show, everyone enjoyed themselves and like all good times, there wasn't time enough to enjoy it all and we had to leave too soon!
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| Learning the steps from the Dance Master |
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| Concentrating on what is being taught |
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| Striking a grand pose |
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| Enjoying a rest |
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| Chatting in the salon |
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| Chatting about their day's shoot |
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| Resting from the dance |
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| Learning the rules of Hazard |
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| Awaiting their next dance |
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| '... and men were few' |
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| Our band, Mr Wentworth's Fancy |
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| Enjoying their meal |
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| My partner and I |
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| Our songbird, Gabrielle |
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| Regency deserts |
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| Damn, their goes the stables! |
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| Oh and now the estate! |
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| Still have energy for dancing |
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| One last swing around their partners! |
I hope to have the professional photographer's photos this week and I will post them in another blog post. On the Sunday we held a Regency picnic at
Wentworth Falls Lake which I shall tell you about in another post :)
If you'd liked to be included on my mailing list for events, please subscribe to my Newsletter on The Tailor's Apprentice
website.
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I'm The Tailor's Apprentice and I have created The Miss Page Vintage Pattern Collection.
1940s WWII dress making patterns for the 21st century woman. Patterns
created by me from my extant 1940s gowns. All my patterns are available
on Etsy and my website where you'll find out more about me as well. This year I am publishing an 1820s gown wardrobe pattern.
If you'd liked to be included on my mailing list for events, pattern release dates and interesting snippets about vintage and historic sewing, please subscribe to my Newsletter on The Tailor's Apprentice website.
