"Having a Ball" features the occasionally silly but often sensible rules of 19th century ballroom etiquette, beginning with etiquette's unique history as "an American democratic right." Living history participants model reproduction ball gowns, with examples ranging from country ball gowns to those found in Richmond high society or state affairs in the Capitol City. (Girl Scouts Convention, Manassas, VA &emdash; Nov. '96, Old Dominion Cotillion, Oatlands Plantation, Nov. '96; 1997 Elizabeth Carter Lecture Series, Oatlands Plantation; Elderhostel, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, VA &emdash; June '99; National Romance Writers Convention, Washington D.C. &emdash; July 2000)
NOTE: The 1997 Oatlands Lecture was videotaped and became The History Channel "History Showcase" video, "Having a Ball: Ballroom Costume, Etiquette and Dance in the Midst of the Rebellion," which has aired several times since its first appearance in 1998.
If you'd like The History Channel to air this show again, please put in your request to The History Channel. If you're interested in learning more about the Victorian Ballroom, go to McMath's Inquire Within: A How-to Book of Victorian Entertainment.
To view a web site devoted to the history of dance cards, visit The Dance Card Museum. or view a gentleman's 1867 dance card.
One-hour presentation with questions and answers. Fee $3500.00. Contact Meredith Bean McMath.