A ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' is derived from the Latin word "ballare", meaning 'to dance'; the term also derived into "bailar", which is the Spanish and Portuguese word for dance (verb). In Catalan it is the same word, 'ball', for the dance event.
Attendees wear evening attire, which is specified on the invitation as black tie or white tie (the most formal). Social dance forms a large part of the evening; actual ballroom dancing may or may not occur.
A Ball is a formal dance occasion. By formal is meant: people were invited, wore their best clothes ('evening attire')and the ball was held in a splendid ballroom. In former times everyone danced, but only the wealthy went to balls. Girls had dance cards: men had to book dances with them. Older people sat round the sides and watched the younger people dance. It was a society occasion.
Apsley1908
A ball at Apsley House. Shows King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra dancing a quadrille, 1908. |
The ballroom at Eglinton
Ball at Eglington Castle 1839 |
Almack's Assembly Rooms
Almack's Assembly Rooms, London, about 1820. |
Wedding ball of the Duc de Joyeuse,
Wedding ball of the Duc de Joyeause, 1581. Attributed to Herman van der Mast. |
Ball de
Bal de Tarda by Ramon Casas i Carbó, 1896 |
William Hogarth
by William Hogarth, 1745 |
Palacio San Martin
Palacio San Martín, Buenos Aires |
The Royal
Ballroom of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto |
Casa Canals,
Ballroom of the Canals family mansion, Tarragona |
Catherine Palace
The ballroom of the Catherine Palace, near St Petersburg |
   | Costume Balls in Australia - Upcoming: Public Dances & Costume Balls, Jane Austen Festival, Gone With The Wind Ball and more.... |
| | Links of famous balls - Bál.lap.hu |
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