Gaskell’s Ball

Oh Gaskell’s– how do I love thee.
I started going to this ball some 17 years ago when I was a little gothic teenager.
I went all the time then just stopped going for no particular reason (college, maybe?)
I recent started going again and fell completely in love with Gaskell’s all over.
It feels like a fairy tale, the ball gowns and hoop skirts and everyone there is so kind, gracious and polite.
For those of you who are new to the experience here are a few of my favorite parts:
1) There is a free basic class right before the ball begins where you can pick up some of the dances.
2) You don’t need a partner. There are many kind and lovely gentlemen who will ask you to dance all night. You won’t get hit on or harassed.
3) You don’t need period clothes, but they are appreciated and oh so fun.
4) The line dances are a blast and you don’t have to know what your doing.
5) The ladies bathroom might be my favorite part. It is beautiful with red velvet couches, ornate mirrors and filled with wonderful ladies who will complement your clothes, help you fix that out of place hair, or offer you a safety pin when your dress rips.
It is a wonderful community and an absolute must experience event in the East Bay.

Ok, I enjoy dancing but that is really limited to a few classical set dances and waltzing with my wife. I’m not great at it and don’t do it enough to be better, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy an event like Gaskell’s.
The ball has a friendly atmosphere with people of all skill levels. During really busy nights the main floor can be a confusing whirl of gowns and people but there is always room in the wings for those to socialize (stage left) and take it slower (stage right). There is a live band and the set list is posted on the walls so you know what’s coming up (and when you get a break).
This is an even to dance, so it’s OK to ask people out to the floor, you don’t have to know them just be polite and approach. You may be turned down (I’ve turned down more than I’ve danced, honestly because I get nervous and bashful, and it’s no reflection on the people who ask).
There are lots of dance events around the bay area now where you can waltz and polka, but this one still stands on its own. Its accessible and central to the Bay Area, parking is available, there is room to dance and relax, and it is a time to dress up and get out of your day-​to-​day clothes and world.

After 18 years of attending the Gaskell Ball, it’s still the best social dance event in the SF Bay Area. At the low price of only $ 20, it’s far more affordable than events like the Stanford Viennese Ball, and the location is stunningly gorgeous. The Brassworks fills the hall easily with spirited waltzes, racing polkas, and melodic mazurkas.
Ladies, have no fear of trying to cram yourself in the car in a hoop skirt and corset. The ladies room is a room with several sofas and a long mirror for hair and makeup.
Dances are posted around the room. The band plays for 40 minutes, then takes a 20 minute break. This allows ample time to dance to your heart’s delight and still get an opportunity to talk to friends (or make new ones!).
Victorian attire is admired, but not required. Any 19^th or 20^th century formal dress will do, but you do have to dress up. You won’t see folks dancing in jeans and t-​shirts here!
There’s a dance class from 3:45 to 6:15 on the day of the event that covers all the basics: waltz, polka, mazurka, schottische, and Congress of Vienna. It’s just $ 10.
The Gaskell Ball is like a magical fantasy come to life!

Victorian ballroom dances
Vintage dances, including waltzes, polkas and other traveling, turning dances are incredibly fun. Gaskell’s features a live, acoustic band, friendly people who love to dance, a beginning dance lesson and light refreshments. Vintage attire is encouraged but not mandatory.

I’m a newcomer to this event, and had a wonderful time at the ball in February. Lots of friendly people, and just getting to see all the costumes is worth the price of admission.
I also did the afternoon dance class, which was kind of a «drinking from the firehose» experience for someone who had never done any of the dances before. I ended up skipping the last section (Congress of Vienna) because it was clear that my brain was full. My recommendation for other newbies: go ahead and check out the class, but if you start to feel overwhelmed when they reach the schottische or mazurka, stop with what you’ve got and plan to learn more next time.
They do post the dances so you can plan in advance, which I have since learned is not true of all such events. If you don’t have experience with waltz or polka, look for «set dances» like Sir Roger de Coverly. There is always instruction on the steps at the beginning of the dance, and if you mess up occasionally, no one will mind :)

Gaskells is a wonderful and elegant formal ball. They have a live band, Brassworks, which plays classical waltzes, and polkas beautifully. People dress up in either modern or Victorian formal wear. For me, it’s fun to dance and it’s also fun to sit and listen to the music while other people dance. There are lessons at the beginning for those who need to learn.

Here is a favorite of mine when I was in my 20’s as friends and I would gather in all our Victorian splendor and finery for an evening of class and gentlemanly grace. With lovely ladies glowing with pride that only a ballroom and a grand ballroom dress can achieve.
For over 20 years Gaskell has been sponsoring formal Victorian Ballroom dances at the Scottish Rite temple on the shores of lake Marett, Oakland. The ball occurs everyother month on Saturday night. The live music is provided by the ever so talented Brassworks of San Francisco, a group of 5 brass horns and a drummer led by Frank Davis. The dances feature Victorian Waltzes, Polkas, Schottisches, Mazurkas, and set dances such as the Sir Roger de Coverley and the Congress of Vienna. Also, theye have very fun and frantic ballroom games where dancing and lots of laughing are involved.
Oh, do not fret, you can arrive at 7:30 for dance classes from very kind and hard toed individuals. =) Main dancing starts at 8:30 and pushes on till midnight. Refreshments are potluck finger food with the Society providing both fruit punch and ice water.
I highly recommend an evening of smiles and a taste of a time where men were debonair and the women were to be treated as they should be… ladies.
August 16^th, 2008
October 25^th, 2008
December 20^th, 2008
February 28^th, 2009
April 25^th, 2009
June 20^th, 2009
August 15^th, 2009
October 24^th, 2009
December 19^th, 2009
Check out their site more details:

My first time to the Gaskell was last year’s October ball. After a 5 minute intro to the basics of the waltz, polka and scottishe in my friend’s living room and the command to dance to everything we got asked to («you’ll pick it up as you go»); we rushed off, crinolines bustling, giggling at the fact that we were going to a REAL ball!
And that’s how it is. I have been about four times (prob. would have been more but I broke my foot at the beginning of the summer), and I can’t wait until the next. I cannot resist the allure of dressing up in a ball gown and feeling like Cinderella for a night. It can be intimidating not really knowing what you’re doing but everyone there is so wonderful and inviting that you can’t help but be caught up in the magic. I mean really, how often does a man come up to you and bow and ask if you are promised for the next dance?! *happy sigh* Okay so now I’m really excited for the next one!

The Gaskell Ball is my bi-​monthly Victorian Dance fix, and I’ve been going about 5 events out of the 6 each year for about 6 years now.
I will never forget my first time there. To the uninitiated, the Gaskell brings to life the fairy tale balls of our childhood’s stories, with beautiful music, elegant dances and fabulous costumes. The Congress of Vienna Waltz is a particular joy to behold.
The event venue is spectacular: an elegant vintage ballroom at the Scottish Rite with an amazing ceiling and a great dance floor. There’s a rather nice ladies lounge for those of us who need to primp (or put on hoops and petticoats!) and the lobby offers a beautiful photo op location.
Admission is $ 20 cash or check only, but there are lessons beforehand if you’re so inclined. The Brassworks often has CDs for sale as well, so bring extra. Some light snacks are provided along with water and punch, but I’d caution anyone against substituting it for dinner.
Parking is often problematic, since the Scottish Rite sometimes double books events earlier in the day (weddings, theatrical performances, etc) so give yourself some extra time to hunt.

Gaskell’s Ball is a Victorian Ball with live music by Brassworks held six times a year at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center. Dress is semi-​formal. Many will be there in tailcoats and ballgowns with some in period costume of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Cost is $ 20 for the evening. Doors open at 7:30pm. There’s a dance workshop at 7:45pm covering the basics of waltz, polka, and schottische. The dance starts at 8:30pm.
The evening has four sets; the first three sets are followed by 20 minute breaks. The sets are start at 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm, and 11:30pm. The final set is a 30 minute set with the dance ending at midnight. The breaks provide nice time to converse with your fellow dancers providing time to focus on dancing during the actual sets.
If you’re not familiar with the dances, don’t fret. You can still have a wonderful time at the ball. Arrive at 3:45pm and pay just $ 10 extra for the 2 ½ hour class covering many of the dances that will danced during the ball.
There’s a medium size changing room for both men and women. So you don’t need to arrive to the class in formal dress.
I’ve only attended a few of the balls so far. I’ve enjoyed them. Good dancers and generally friendly folk. There is overlap in the audience between Gaskell’s and the more casual Friday Night Waltz.
Parking can be a little difficult. I seem to end up around 3 – 4 blocks away each time. Gentlemen, if your partner is already in her gown, let her off at the front door when it’s raining. :-) I did learn during a recent ball that I need to arrive earlier to give myself enough time to change into my attire; I missed most of the first set. ;-)