October 20, 2006 - Masquerade Ball

[Rick]

Join author Rick Chiantaretto and professional ballroom dancers for an evening of literature and art during a tratitional Masquerade Ball on the evening of Friday, October 20th, 2006 from 7:00pm to 1:00amin Salt Lake City, Utah.

Events include performances, dance lessons, dancing, food, and prizes followed by a book reading at midnight, and an unveiling of the masks.

This event is free for you and a guest if you have puchased a book, or $5.00 per person without. The event will be alcohol free. Though open to the public, an invitation is required.  Over 18 only please.

A mask is required, and the dress is traditional semi-formal.

A limited amount of books will be available for purchase ($22.00), but must be purchased before the event for free entrance.

The address will be listed on your formal invitation.


We look forward to seeing you there.

Go to www.facadeofshadows.com/masquerade.htm for more information.

[KingOfNerds]

I am planning on being there, but the only problem is that I don't want to spend a lot of money on a Tuxedo or a Dress for my wife. pretty much any dress that we get her now will not fit for long because she is pregenant.

[Rick]

Dress has been a concern for a lot of people, and although there are going to be many that go "all out," it is not a requirement that you rent a tux or get all fancy.  Slacks with a tie would suffice, or a pant suit for your wife will be fine.  You can even wear jeans if you can pull it off!  The only requirement is a mask, which you can pick up rather cheaply ($2.00).

[KingOfNerds]

That is good to hear.. I plan on being there.

[Rick]

A bit of tragedy struck this weekend. During a dress rehearsal of the performances scheduled for the Masquerade Ball that was to be held October 20, 2006, an unfortunate accident resulted in four serious injuries and a forced cancellation of the event.

All 30 dancers were required to pull out of the event at the request of their insurance company, and all of their competitions, exhibitions, and performances have been cancelled for the remainder of the year by the National Ballroom Association.

Obviously this is upsetting to us all, and I know that many people have purchased expensive costumes and masks for the event. Please try to understand and join me in expressing sympathy for the dancers whose careers are now on hold, and possibly permanently suspended. Without the performances, lessons, and ballroom guests, the even looses not only its financial backing, but its elegance and formality.

While I am now trying to find an inexpensive place to hold a masquerade party, it will be difficult to pull something together alone in two weeks. Even if I am able to continue with some sort of event, it will not be a ball, will be much less formal, and will be of no cost to the participants.

I apologize again for the disappointment. To me, a book release party and a formal masquerade event is not worth the career of 30 dancers.

For those who would like to have books signed, I will still be at the Book Festival located in the Salt Lake City Library (200 East 400 South) from 9am to 6pm on October 28, 2006. If your purchased tickets to the ball, please let me know if you prefer to have the funds directly refunded via paypal, or if you prefer to receive a check in the mail.

We, of course, hope to be able to put a similar event together sometime in the future.

[KingOfNerds]

good thing that another place was found.

[Rick]

Thanks everyone who came to the masquerade ball, I know I had an enjoyable time, and it appears you did too.  I was looking over the pictures of that evening and am about to post them (sorry this has taken so long, I've been rather busy this last week).  A few of them turned out a bit blurry, but will be posted for their abstract beauty.  In fact, there is one with me and a woman, and no one seems to know who she was   

Which brings up another point... the strange occurance of orbs in almost all of the lower floor pictures.  Perhaps we had some uninvited guests among us? Muah hahaha.

Look for the pictures in the image gallery in the next week or two.  Thank you all again for the fantastic evening.

[KingOfNerds]

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures.

[Rick]

The pictures are up.  See the image gallery

[KingOfNerds]

Cool! I set the picture of my as my wallpaper!