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Load of Balls - Dancing in Vienna
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The Scene
The Viennese ball is famous the world over and it is still
just as popular in the city today as a cultural night out.
During the official ball season (between November and June),
over 300 take place and there are plenty to choose from over
the rest of the year. Traditional balls include the Kaiserball
(the New Years' Eve party for Vienna's elite which takes place
in the Hofburg Palace), the Opernball (the most expensive,
with tickets going for a cool EUR210 or EUR6,000 if you want
a table!) and the Philharmonikerball. There are however
some which are not so exclusive such as the Life Ball,
held to raise money for Aids Charities where the most outrageous
costumes can be seen, and the Regenbogenball, the Gay
and Lesbian Rainbow Ball.
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Murder on the Dancefloor
Whichever you fancy, make sure you get your ticket way in
advance as all these events tend to get booked up very early,
such is their popularity with the Viennese. The various quadrilles
(prompted dances danced from a square group formation) that
occur at regular intervals over the evening, beginning with
the one at midnight, are hilarious as the caller on the microphone
calls out the instructions for everyone to follow and lots
of confusion and falling over ensues as the music gets faster
and faster. The balls go on through the night, usually finishing
at around 5 or 6am. The Waltz is of course the most
popular of the ball dances and many Viennese take a course
of Waltzing lessons. The oldest and most distinguished of
the dance schools is the Tanzschule Willy Elmayer. Courses
start at EUR42.87 for 50 minutes tuition. The majority of
the classes are taught by the wonderful Rudolf Peschke.
Elmayer is also a school of etiquette so you can brush up
on your manners too.
What to Wear
Once you've bought the ticket and you've learnt how to dance,
the only other thing left to worry about is your outfit. Lambert
Hofer has provided the costumes for feature films and
theatre performances and is the number one ball costumier
in Vienna. Prices start from around EUR100 to hire a tuxedo.
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