Space 1889: The Adventure Of Le Cirque De Venus

Rule, britannia! Britannia rule the stars! Britain’s flag extends to venus, mercury and mars! Don't miss peers' third venture in a victorian steampunk event: space 1889 - a victorian ball in space. Program your babbage analytical engines, sail the luminiferous ether between the worlds to this nineteenth century science fiction ball, and keep venus british! The year is an alternate 1889 in which, thanks to inventor thomas alva edison, computer engineer thomas babbage, software developer ada, countess of lovelace, visionary scientists herbert george wells and jules verne, and many other distinguished men and women of science and engineering, the victorians have air and space travel, high technology, computers (difference engines), efficient software (the versatile and elegant ada), and even email ("electric messaging"). The great game has extended to outer space with great britain, germany, russia and those intrepid americans rushing to colonize every planet in sight. Welcome to space 1889. This is the milieu of our ball. Join his excellency, the governor of her majesty’s crown colony of venus, for a formal ball to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of british rule on the planet. Diplomats, explorers, scientists and artists from earth and from around the galaxy are cordially invited to attend. Bangers & mash , that most british of american dance bands, plays the greatest dance hits of the late 19th and early 20th centuries for an evening of vintage ballroom dancing. Dance beautiful waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, reels, the lancers, and some of those dashing new american dances (the ragtime two-step, the one-step, and the so-called argentine tango). All "new" dances and pattern dances will be (briefly) taught or called, partners are not required (your hosts will be happy to introduce you newcomers to partners). For those of you wishing to brush up on the latest dances, there will also be a pre-ball dance class at 7:00 pm. Suggested costume is late victorian or edwardian evening dress, dress uniform (the year is 1889 but this is an alternate universe so you can use your imagination), "venusian" evening dress or steampunk/science fiction/fantasy costume appropriate to the balls theme. As usual, however, costumes are admired, not required. There will be a no-host (cash) bar and a special performance by the celebrated and daring cirque de venus.