Pull out your formal wear and celebrate Valentine's Day
early in the high style of the old Austrian empire at the Duke Wind Symphony's
annual Viennese Ball, from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Durham
Armory in downtown Durham.
Started in 1974 as a fundraiser for the Wind Symphony's
trips to Vienna, Austria, the ball is the longest running student-led event of
its type in the country. Although the group no longer tours Austria, the
Viennese Ball remains an important tradition, bringing students and the community
together for an evening of old world music and dance.
The ball has special significance for the Wind Symphony's
director, Austrian native Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant, who is in her third year at Duke.
"It's a coincidence that I'm
from Austria and this tradition exists at Duke," she said, “but it works
out really well. The Wind Symphony's ball really resembles the ones we have in
Austria. Having both a waltz orchestra and a polka band is very authentic and
the music you'll dance to on Saturday night is authentic, as well."
The ball begins at 7 pm with an
hour-long dance lesson. All are welcome, whether you've never waltzed before or
just need to brush up your steps. The ball ends at midnight and light
refreshments are served throughout the evening.
Mosenbichler-Bryant stresses that
even though the waltz orchestra and polka band are made up of students, the
ball is an event for the whole community.
"We'd like to see everyone --
students, faculty, employees, and Durham residents -- come and learn to dance
and enjoy themselves."
As for Mosenbichler-Bryant, the Viennese Ball allows her to mix
work with pleasure. "It makes me really happy," she said with a broad
smile. "This one night feels like home to me and it brings Austria to Durham."