"The event has its origins in, you guessed it, Burning Man, where a "dark cabaret" band called Rosin Coven built a martini bar in the middle of nowhere, playing sunset happy hour shows all week in the Black Rock Desert. Although some might assume the event is based on the opulence of the Edwardian era, it's actually inspired by costume designer, author and illustrator Edward Gorey, who became known in the 1950s for his black-and-white drawings of ghoulish characters in historical dress."
""One year in 1999, we were carousing around the bar after we played the show and noticed someone had left an Edward Gorey book on the bar. So we began reading it and just having fun, acting out the scenes," said ball co-founder Justin Katz. They decided to launch a Gorey-inspired party that very same year, back in San Francisco at the legendary Cat Club. The event attracted 250 people right off the bat, to a choose-your-own-adventure of costumed pageantry."
"Now taking place at the Regency Ballroom, the event's vibes range from dark electro dance floor to elegant ballroom waltzing. The cast of performers numbers 200 people per night, including jazz bands, neo-vaudeville troops and aerialists, totaling eight hours of immersive entertainment across three different ballrooms. However, like at Burning Man, the event's most spectacular element may be attendee participation."
San Francisco has a vibrant costume culture with events like Bay to Breakers and Burning Man, and many residents keep dedicated costume storage. The Edwardian Ball marked its 25th anniversary, originating from Burning Man when Rosin Coven created a martini bar at sunset concerts. The Ball draws inspiration from Edward Gorey's black-and-white illustrations of ghoulish historical characters rather than the Edwardian era. The event began in 1999 at the Cat Club with 250 attendees and has moved to the Regency Ballroom. The Ball features 200 performers nightly across three ballrooms, eight hours of immersive entertainment, and heavy attendee participation.
Read at SFGATE
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