On May 16 of this year, Calgarians will have the unique opportunity to experience Jane Austen’s England without leaving the city. Having twice sold out their costume ball in Edmonton, Regency Encounters is bringing the event to the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, where guests of all walks of life will dress in historical costume, dance traditional English Country Dances and play card games enjoyed 200 years ago using replica antique playing cards. There is also an optional supper at the start of the evening featuring authentic dishes from the period. In order to prepare for the ball, dance lessons are being offered for the 3 Sundays leading up to the main event, where guests will learn and practice the dances they will do at the ball.

Every effort is made to maintain an authentic historical setting: use of electronic devices is strictly prohibited; ladies are given dance cards on which to enter the names of their partners for each dance; guests are provided with purses of reproduction coins with which to gamble at the card tables; the refreshments served at the ball are all based on recipes from the Regency era; and the dance lessons enable guests to arrive at the ball ready to dance, as they would have at the time. The organizers hope to see a repeat of the sold-out events which took place at Edmonton’s Hotel Macdonald. Both saw over 100 people, some coming from as far as B.C. and Saskatchewan, recreating this bygone era, which has become so popular in recent years with a renewed interest in the works of Jane Austen.

"It is truly incredible to see so many people in their costumes, in such a spirit of pure enjoyment," says Melanie Kerr, chief organizer and founder of Regency Encounters. "Everyone looked amazing, and we all didn’t want it to end. It was like a fantasy world come to life." Kerr is providing various options for guests to obtain Regency costumes. She has posted several videos on YouTube of how to create a costume quickly and with almost no budget. Guests can rent a costume directly from the organizers for $25. And the organizers also have a network of costume-makers on hand to take orders from those who would like something custom-made.

Tickets are currently available for the ball and for dance lessons, which will take place April 26, May 3 and May 10 at 5400 Dalhousie Drive. No dance experience is required and all are welcome. Melanie Kerr and a few volunteers will be engaged, in costume, giving out invitations to the ball in various locations across Calgary the weekend of March 20-22 and March 27-29. Kerr is available for interviews and photographs with or without costume.

Website (tickets and details): http://www.RegencyEncounters.com

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1511994649073100/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIn1Mil6l-w4f3pPD9wm6WA/videos

Twitter: @FolliesPast