Imagine a room full of elegant revelers, each wearing a sinful, decadent, or mysterious mask. That’s the scene this reporter found herself in at the 25th Anniversary Masked Ball on Friday night in Regency VI-VII (Hy).
The line wrapped and twisted, filled with the buzz of anticipation mixed with sophistication. While waiting for The Ghosts Project to begin their set, baroque inspired riffs drifted from the sound system. The collective mood was one of subdued and respectable enthusiasm.
Masks were a must-wear to be admitted to the event, and for a brief moment, I worried for our collective safety since our lines of sight were sub-par at best. The fanciful costumes more than comforted my spirit. At a time when people wear t-shirts and jeans more often than not, we all need more excuses to get so gracefully decked out.
Dragon*Con never looked so classy!
From ruffles and feathers, to wings and corsets, to kilts and capes, most every genre found a way to integrate into the crowd. Even before The Ghosts Project took to the stage, couples joined hands and glided across the dance floor. And when the Saturday Night Fever John Travolta gentleman with the glitter-encrusted stormtrooper mask waltzed past, this reporter was sorry to have forgotten her camera. Disco stormtrooper, now that’s some seriously original style.
When the band began, the surreal music possessed an unexpected emotional depth and intensity. The cadence was reminiscent of Arabian nights under moonless skies where women blink behind their veils while enticing their lovers in rhythmic dance.
Kudos to the organizers for putting together such a wondrous event: a perfect way to celebrate Dragon*Con’s 25th anniversary.
