By JESSE GRAHAM
GET your best dress ready, and polish your dancing shoes, because Healesville is set to host an historic 1920s-style ball early next month.
The Yarra Valley 1920s Ball will be held at Healesville’s Memo Hall on Saturday 11 October, from 7.30-11.30pm, and costumes are compulsory.
The Kimba Griffith Quintet will provide old-style musical numbers for the audience on the night, and event organiser, Deanne Eccles, urged every keen dancer to come along.
She said that she was inspired to hold the ball after hearing stories of dances during the ’20s and ’30s, put on by local guest houses.
“It was quite common for people to come together on a Friday night and go to the different dances that guest houses would’ve held,” she said.
“It was also a way of bringing the community together.”
Ms Eccles said she hoped to emulate that atmosphere for the upcoming ball, and get the community together, dressed in their best ’20s clothes, for an evening of dancing and fun.
Coming from a theatrical background, Ms Eccles encouraged residents to start thinking about their costumes, and to make their dress – or suit – as elaborate as possible.
“When you’ve got something more creative and artistic, people can forget about their worries, and also be a little bit of a star themselves,” she said.
“Rather than putting on your trackie-dacks, people should think about turning themselves into a bit of an art piece.
“This is for the community to get together – I look forward to seeing everybody there, and I hope everyone supports it.”
Aperitifs will be provided on the night, and drinks will be available at bar prices.
The Yarra Valley 1920s Ball is organised by the Yarra Valley Regional Tourism Association (YVRTA), and entry is $45, $38 for YVRTA members.
For tickets, call 1300 368 333.
To organise Charleston and Swing dance lessons, contact Corrie on 0401 096 079.
