A Waltz Ball, 06.19.10
I don’t usually write much in my posts. I prefer to be more of a documentarian than a reviewer. But I didn’t draw much of this evening. The Golden Angel Waltz Orchestra hosted a Waltz Ball at the Jalopy, and it was just so much fun to be up waltzing.
Trio preceding the Golden Angel Waltz Orchestra's Waltz Ball, 06.19.10. Drawing by and © Robin Hoffman, 2010
The evening began with a trio playing dance music ranging from tangos to minuets to Scott Joplin rags. During this time, we attendees were encouraged to fill out the 19th century style dance cards provided; which required introducing ourselves to one another and asking to schedule one of 8 waltz slots. Not so easy for a shy person such as myself, but I did really want to waltz. Once the Orchestra finally took the stage and the gentle instruction began, my embarrassment rapidly melted away. The Golden Angel Waltz folks confidently created a slightly bizarre, slightly silly Victorian-age aesthetic which proved forgiving and fun. Very quickly, nearly everyone was up and waltzing with complete strangers, crashing into one another and having a wonderful time. The orchestra played waltzes from all over the world, with a great variety of tempi and moods. The dancing was punctuated with very brief lectures on some of the more salacious points of Victorian manners and customs. The second set began after midnight and the floor was full until the end despite the hour and the broken air conditioner.
Tags: Brooklyn Music, Folk Music, Jalopy Theater, Robin Hoffman, The Golden Angel Waltz Orchestra, Waltz Ball, Waltzing
