Having a Ball

Novelist Jane Austen would have been in her element at the Music Academy’s Lehmann Hall when the Miraflores campus’ creative Auxiliary hosted the Aux Ball: Celebrating the Eras with 120 guests in their Regency finery, many donning tiaras, raising around $50,000 towards the SING! choral program for youngsters from first to ninth grade.

Mally Chakola, who co-chaired the fun fête with Connie Sickel, said they wanted to attract a younger audience by featuring more recent music together with the classics.

The Santa Barbara String Quartet stepped up and played a delightful selection of classical and contemporary music resembling scenes from such TV shows as Sanditon on PBS and the bodice busting Bridgerton on Netflix.

The ball shone brightly, offering a captivating journey back in time with opulent bling, glamorous gowns, and intricate hairstyles. There was even Regency-era inspired food, tarot card readers, silhouette artists, and a particularly potent Scandalous Rumor cocktail with tequila, prickly pear, lime juice, orange liqueur, syrup, and sea salt.

Even the Prince Regent, later King George IV, would have been impressed.

Among those enjoying the 19th century were Leila Drake, Michael and Kimberly Hayes, Felice Firestone, Karen Lehrer, Meg Di Napoli, and Patricia Hauptman.

Time travel has never been more fun…