University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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European extravaganza In Eau Claire VIENNESE BALL All it tcx k was a bit ol man-made magic. For two nights, April 11 and 12, the upper level of Davies Center was transported from student stomping ground to a little piece of the old world, in the form of the 13th annual Viennese ball. Students, faculty, and members of the community took the opportunity to trade in their street clothes for an evening of bowtics and tails, corsages and ballgowns, then danced the night away to music provided by UWF.C’s Singing Statesmen, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble I, and several members of the voice faculty. Music was also provided by a Milwaukee polka band, a local pianist, and Chicago musicians Janet Stessl on zither and Cerda Kenzer, vocalist. The Eau Claire Musical Arts Chorale rounded out the entertainment roster, performing Viennese and American Operetta selections in the Maria-Theresien-Saal. Food for the ball was provided by Professional Food Management, and served in The Festsaal and the Weinstube zur Blaucn Donau. PFM also provided the traditional Sacher Torte, the highlight of the Sacher Cafe. Over eighty tortes per evening were also donated and made available for hungry patrons in the Sacher and Dcmcl’s Cafe. The elaborate decor for the evening, fea- turing artificial stained-glass windows, was created by Josef and Mary Rose Bender, Bernard and Nancy Falkncr, and Ronald and Greta Green. The Benders also created a back-lighted scene of “Old Vienna” in the Kaisergartcn. According to senior Sue Toman, it was this attention to authenticity that made the Ball so special for her. “It was a chance to experience something from a different era, she said, and that's something you rarely get to do! Her favorite part of the ball Just the feeling!” The Viennese Ball was first held in 1974, and has sold out every year. Ticket prices were then two and three dollars, and the event had little of the formality associated with it today. Ada Bors has been with the Ball committee since its origin, and says that, “the original and primary focus of the event is University-community relations, with secondary emphasis on providing scholarships for the music department. Among those scholarships is a $1000 grant for international studies in Austria, Germany, or Switzerland. Bors said that since the Viennese Ball began, over $112,000 has been raised. Lori Knope The Eau Claire Muucal Art Chorale made iheir teventh appearance al the Ball Their program ra» typical ol performance held in ca lle», palace , and elegant European home . Viennese ball 21

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20 campus events Walt crs arc advised in their program to wait counter clockwise and to the left lor thrir safety and pleasure. The Singing Statesmen made their third appearance at the Viennese Ball, doing nostalgic numbers and “show-stoppers. One ol the pseudo stained-glass windows created lor the Kaisergarten by members ol the Viennese Ball Committee.

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Monica Henne i featured in a number from Ihc movie Victor Victoria , part ol a tribute to Cabaret VIII, From The Movie . “Michael Jackaon , Peter Natrke, and gang member Melina Brown and Jonathan Peteraon boogie to “Beat It . Iron America Finest. Cabaret IV. What’ a great ahow without a great linale? The entire caal join force (or “Liie la A Cabaret! '.