THE CYPRIANS' BALL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2008

at the

SAN MATEO MASONIC LODGE
(San Mateo)
100 N. Ellsworth, at Tilton

Doors open 7:30

The ball starts with "Congress of Vienna" at 8:00
$15 in advance.
$20 at the door

There's a two-dollar GBACG discount (for the GBACG member only) in advance or at the door.

Scandalous early-1800s costume - the era of "Pride and Prejudice" admired
but not required. We cannot, in good conscience, recommend that young ladies
damp their muslins in the Bay Area in February. (Modern festive or formal wear, or
courtesan wear from any era - after all, they were doing Cretan revival in Paris at
this time.)

For more information, call 650/365-2913 or visit
www.baers.org (where you can download a registration form)

Directions: From Highway 101, exit at 3d Avenue. Go west on 3d, turn right
at N. Ellsworth. The temple is at the corner of N. Ellsworth and Tilton.

(Note: "The Cyprian" was a Regency nickname for Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, who
was associated with the island of Cyprus. Cyprians, then, were devotees of
Aphrodite; in other words, courtesans, who held an annual ball to shop for new
"protectors" who could keep them in good style. So there's an extra degree of
flirtatiousness at the Cyprians' Ball.)

All country dances taught and prompted. Fun will be had!