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Arts & Entertainment

Let's Party Like It's 1899*! Edwardian Ball Returning to LA

EdwardianBall2011_Blight.jpg
Attendees of the 2011 Edwardian Ball, held in San Francisco in January. Photo by Neil Girling - TheBlight.net

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This Saturday night The Edwardian Ball returns to Los Angeles at the Music Box (Fonda). This will be the second Edwardian Ball in LA (the previous one was in January 2009) but the event has become an annual tradition in San Francisco, where they recently held their 11th consecutive ball.

The Edwardian Ball was inspired by the stories and art of Edward Gorey and is an agglomeration of music, cirque performances, DJs, dancing, art, retail/vending… but above all, it's an excuse for many of LA's most interesting and eclectic citizens to dress up in elaborate outfits and costumes and get their party on. There will be a fair number of attendees wearing period clothing so accurate, it will look like they just stepped out of a time machine from 105 years ago. Others will be dressed in in absurd fashions that look out of place anywhere other than Burning Man. The whimsical "steampunk" enthusiasts will be there en masse as well. The various fashions will be so arresting, perhaps the only way to raise a few eyebrows would be to show up in a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

The performances will be just as varied and eclectic as the fashion. Rosin Coven (founders of the ball) will serve as the house band, while cirque-esque circus performers from Vau de Vire Society provides visual treats, with assistance from members of some local LA troupes, including Cirque Berzerk and Lucent Dossier. Other musicians include Jill Tracy feat. theremin virtuoso Armen Ra, Wiggy Darlington and several other DJs, artists, and circus & burlesque performers. Click here for a full list of artists.

Tickets are $28-$35 in advance and $32-$40 at the door.

*OK, to be accurate, 1899 was still the Victorian era... the Edwardian era didn't begin until 1901. But then the Prince reference wouldn't have worked!

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