Viennese Ball at Collins to dazzle dancers

This weekend, Edmondson Dining Hall at Collins Living-Learning Center will be transformed into a celestial universe for its annual Viennese Ball.

The designated theme “Stardust Melody” will feature outer-space-themed decorations.

“We’re going as simple as possible and doing stuff with lighting to play up the celestial theme,” said Meghan Hutsell, vice president of the Collins Board of Programmers.

The board used cardboard to construct comets, a sun and a moon, as well as origami stars out of paper. The group decided to focus on a silver and gold motif, Theme Committee Co-Leader Farrell Paules said. She said there will also be a walkway to lead people onto the dance floor.

The board started planning Saturday’s ball in early January. The funding for the event is generated through the extra fee Collins residents pay to reside in the Living-Learning Center.

The first hour of the night consists of waltz dancing with music by the Hoosier Youth Philharmonic.

“I enjoy having them here,” Paules said. “It’s very different dancing to live music as opposed to recorded music.”

Hutsell said the board has workshops today and Saturday to help students learn how to waltz. There are also mask-making workshops so students can create a mask to wear to the event.

After the first hour, the rest of the night will have a more active beat, and the music will become more lively, Hutsell said. 

She also said a surprise is being planned for the end of the dance.

“It’s something that will hopefully liven it back up and keep people feeling like they can go for another hour,” Paules said.  

The ball is advertised as formal, but Hutsell said students should wear what
they have.

“Just wear the nicest thing you own. If it’s a business suit, go for it,” she said. 

Senior Alex Lahmeyer taught the waltzing workshops last year and will do it again this year.

He said he encourages non-Collins residents to attend the ball.

“We love to see people who don’t live here, as well,” he said.

Last year’s theme was Japanese Spring Festival, and the year before was 1940s Hollywood Entertainment. The decorations included a red carpet and “Walk of Fame” stars. The theme is original but also classy and fun, Lahmeyer said.

“It’s kind of like a Valentine’s Day dance, although we try to stay away from a Valentine’s theme,” Hutsell said.

Paules said she has helped plan the ball every year she has been at IU and is in her fourth year living at Collins. Because this is her last ball, she said she really wants to make it special.

“I just instantly felt like that was perfection,” she said. “They’re going to have to drag me out.” 

All IU students are welcome to attend the ball from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday.