The lady who brought you Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday Ball has partnered with the Regency Guy to once again honor Jane Austen at this Regency yule ball. This annual event will once again occur at the same venue in Utah County—the Provo City Library.

As is to be expected, this year’s ball will be bigger and better than before! We have reserved the entire third floor of the Academy Wing and have packed it with vendors, artists, photo opportunities, dance lessons, and delicious victuals.

So come celebrate our dear authoress this December 12 at the Jane Austen Yule Ball! Ages 14+.

“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love […]”
—Pride and Prejudice

You will once again be delighted by English country dance, refreshments, games, and shopping. The illustrious Ashton String Quartet will return to provide live music.

The evening will start at 6 o’clock as you are announced at the entrance by our Master of Ceremonies. Dancing will then ensue as you are taught English country dances led by our lovely dance caller. You will have the opportunity to dance with your partner accompanied by the live string quartet until the 8 o’clock hour, when we will remember our beloved author by singing “Happy Birthday” and cutting the cake. This will then be followed by more dancing and merriment. The carriages will arrive at 10 o’clock to whisk you back to your manor, where you can rest in a sugarplum dreamland.

Debuting at our ball this year will be the lovely Kelsey Jane and her watercolor portraits. She has the amazing talent of capturing your portrait as a Regency fashion plate in beautiful watercolors.

Should you wish to memorialize the evening, a newfangled 360° photo booth will be at your disposal throughout the night. Photos will be sent posthaste to your personal electronic device. A photo backdrop will also be available.

What would a ball be without plenty to eat and drink?! Enjoy sumptuous victuals and a slice of cake commemorating Jane Austen’s 251st birthday. Wash everything down with a bracing beverage from the mocktail bar.

Prize Drawing & Vendor Market

What would the Christmas season be without gifts?! As an honored guest, you will receive a ticket to enter into our prize drawing for wonderful items. Increase your chances by visiting our vendor market. Each vendor will have additional tickets you can collect to put in the prize drawing.

We are proud to expand our vendor offerings this year:

Dance List

We are especially thrilled to offer eight English country dances. The first set is comprised of historic ones, some of which Jane Austen might have done. These dances are simple to learn.

Notes: Dance names are linked to instructions. The dance list is subject to change before the day of the event.

First Set

• Comical Fellow
• Tythe Pig
• Physical Snob
• Sir Roger De Coverley

Even in Jane Austen’s time, new music and dances were introduced each season, and it was the debutante’s mission to learn each one so she could sparkle at her first ball. Some ladies even printed the dance steps on their fan so as to not make a mistake.

Our second set pays homage to our modern day, featuring traditional dance figures set to contemporary tunes.

Second Set

• The Kiss (from The Last of the Mohicans)
• To be announced
• To be announced
• Once Upon a December (from Anastasia)

“There were twenty Dances & I danced them all, & without any fatigue….”
—1798 Letter from Jane Austen to Her Sister, Cassandra

Tickets

VIP

We are offering a limited number of VIP tickets this year. VIP ticket holders will be allowed early entry to attend a welcome reception and toast. You will also receive a 10% discount to all our vendors.

For the first time, we are happy to offer dance instruction before the event, so you may feel more confident later in the evening.

Additionally, all VIP tickets include a free watercolor portrait from Kelsey Jane and unlimited videos captured on the 360° photo booth sent directly to your phone.

Early bird pricing will be available through June 30.

General Admission

Enjoy an enchanting evening starting at six o’clock, with two sets of English country dances amid magical decorations in the ballroom. Each ticket includes a visit to our 360° photo booth where you can capture your ensemble. Browse our vendor market, purchase a watercolor portrait, play a game of cards, and enjoy delicious food and drink.

Family

We want to include families and feel it is important for the youth to experience social dance. Ergo, family tickets are available for family groups larger than three people. A family ticket can be used for up to two adults and unlimited minor children 14 years or older from the same family.

Contact us for group rates.

Early bird pricing will be available through June 30.

Dress Code

In order to maintain the Regency experience, this is a costumed event: Regency attire is highly encouraged. Should you find your closet lacking, Sunday best is acceptable.

Gentlemen doff their hats indoors.

Due to the nature of the event, high heels and boots are not permitted to be worn in the ballroom.

If you have questions about the dress code, please contact us.

Venue

Provo City Library at Academy Square
Third Floor of the Academy Wing
550 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah

Free parking is available in the library’s aboveground and underground lots, as well as on the street.

Entering through the west doors, featured in the above picture, brings you inside the Academy Wing on the second floor. There, two staircases and an elevator provide access to the third floor where the event is.

Agenda

3:00 p.m. – VIP Admission
3:30 p.m. – VIP Toast and Welcome
4:00–5:00 pm – VIP Dance Instruction
5:30 p.m. – VIP Access to Vendors & Photo Ops

6:00–6:30 p.m. – Arrival and Introductions
6:30–7:00 p.m. – Announcement by Master of Ceremonies
7:00–8:00 p.m. – First Set of Dances
8:00–8:30 p.m. – Break
8:30–8:45 p.m. – “Happy Birthday” Song and Cake Cutting
8:45–10:00 p.m. – Second Set of Dances
10:00 p.m. – Farewell

FAQs

What is a ball?

A ball is “a large formal gathering for social dancing” (Merriam-Webster.com).

Do I need prior experience with English country dance to enjoy myself?

Certainly not! Instruction will be given before each dance begins. Pre-ball dance instruction will also be available with VIP tickets.

I do not have a dance partner. May I still attend?

Of course! In Jane Austen’s time, most eligible ladies and gentlemen would attend balls for the sole purpose of meeting each other. We have a fun activity planned to encourage mingling at the start of the event!

What if I do not or cannot dance? 

That’s okay! You can still have a worthwhile time socializing in person. Our event will feature a cardroom, vendor market, photo opportunities, and many delectable dishes.

I want to bring my family. Is there a discounted ticket price?

There certainly is! For families above three persons, we offer a group price to encourage all to attend.

I have food allergies. Will there be anything for me to eat?

We take allergies seriously at this event. Gluten-free and nut-free hors d’oeuvres and cake will be provided for our guests with allergies. If you have additional allergies, please reach out to us (email theregencyguy@gmail.com) and we will do our best to accommodate.

Are the photo backdrop and 360° photo booth free to use?

Yes, both are included in the cost of the ticket. We will have a volunteer at each to take pictures for you. You will receive a ticket stub for the 360° photo booth, and the video can be sent directly to your phone.

What shoes are good for English country dance?

We recommend comfortable shoes with little to no heel, like flats. Due to the nature of this event, we do not permit the wearing of high heels or boots in the ballroom. If your outfit features high heels or boots, bring an alternate pair of shoes to wear in the ballroom.

December can be cold. Will there be a coat check?

Yes! We will have a coat check, and it’s included in the ticket price.

What will card playing in the cardroom entail?

There will be decks of playing cards with instructions for five historical card games: Casino (2–4 people); Commerce (3–10 people); Whist (two teams of two players); Loo (best played in groups of five); and Speculation (best played with three or more people). One deck needed per game. No gambling.

I am a vendor and would like to join this event. To whom do I talk?

Please email all vendor inquiries to theregencyguy@gmail.com. We are excited to work with all vendors and welcome unique booths.

Etiquette

General

Respect the dance caller who is teaching the dance: pay attention, follow instructions, refrain from chatting, and speak softly throughout the teaching, even if you are not standing up to dance. Men are expected to act like gentlemen, and women are expected to act like ladies.

Screens

In light of the ubiquitous presence of screens in our society and their allure for users, it behooves the event organizers to address screen etiquette for this event. To prevent phubbing (a portmanteau of “phone” and “snubbing”) so that we are present and engaged with those around us, and to preserve the Regency atmosphere, it is polite to step out of the room if you wish to be on your device, be it for business or pleasure. The taking of photos and videos in moderation is fine, if it does not irk your companion(s), and you have the consent of the subjects.

Dancing

If you are in a dance when it starts, stay in until it is finished. If you desire to join a dance after it has begun, you must join at the bottom of the line.

Traditionally, gentlemen would dance with a lady for no more than two dances, otherwise a scandal could ensue. We encourage everyone to change partners at least every two dances, regardless of relationship status. However, we acknowledge married couples may wish to dance together as many times as their sore feet will allow, so the Master of Ceremonies will let it pass.

“So, he enquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next [dances]. Then, the two third [dances] he danced with Miss King, and the two fourth [dances] with Maria Lucas, and the two fifth [dances] with Jane again, and the two sixth with Lizzy, and the Boulanger—“
—Mrs. Bennet about Mr. Bingley at the Netherfield Ball, Pride and Prejudice

Gentlemen always lead their partner to the dance floor to begin a dance and also lead them off the dance floor at the conclusion.

As many men were enlisted in the armed forces and were in short supply, ladies sometimes found it necessary to dance with other ladies. Gentlemen should not dance together without permission from the dance caller.

“He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner.” —Elizabeth, Pride and Prejudice

Other Concerns & Legal Disclosures

To ensure a comfortable experience for all guests, we reserve the right to manage entry, including the right to refuse admission or ask anyone to leave, to ensure compliance with our security and safety standards.

Questions or concerns can be sent to theregencyguy@gmail.com