Epic Masked Ball
Sunday, April 18th, 2004
Levin Ballroom/Usdan Student Center
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02454

Ball Information:
All good gentles young and old are invited to attend a masked ball on the evening of Sunday, the 18th of April.  The theme of the ball is Gods and Goddesses in Ancient Mythologies.  Costumes and masks are highly encouraged but not required.  Baron Jehan will be judging costumes and prizes will be awarded.

During the late afternoon there will be various classes exploring this theme.  Please see below for the schedule, which will be frequently updated.  After the classes conclude there will be a pot luck dinner in the ballroom, followed by the ball, which will be "no-teach".

Gate is in Levin Ballroom Lobby.    Please report here before attending any classes.  There is currently no site fee except for possible supply fees which will be handled at pertaining classes.   A $1 donation may be suggested if there are costs to be defrayed.

There will be no merchants unless someone is interested in selling completed period masks.  Please contact the autocrat if you wish to do this.

Approximate Schedule:
1 pm: Site opens
2-5 pm: classes
4-4:30 pm: set-up for pot luck
5-6 pm: pot luck dinner
6-6:30: clean-up from pot luck, ball prep
6:30-9pm: ball
site closes after the conclusion of the ball

Autocrat:
Alessandra (Shelby Bleiweis)
shelby@brandeis.edu
MB 3539 Brandeis University
PO Box 459239
Waltham, MA 02454
Tel: (781)529-2728

Directions:
        From the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) Eastbound: Take exit 14 for I-95/Rt 128. After the toll, keep left for 95/128 North. While on ramp, exit immediately onto exit 24 for Route 30. Bear left onto Route 30. Turn right at first traffic light. Brandeis is two miles ahead on left.
        From the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) Westbound: Take exit 15 for I-95/Rt 128 and Route 30. After the toll proceed straight for Route 30. Turn right at end of the ramp, and then right again at first traffic light onto Route 30. Turn left at next traffic light. Brandeis is two miles ahead on the left.
       From I-95/Route 128 Southbound: Take exit 24 for Route 30. At end of ramp, proceed through traffic light (across Route 30). Brandeis is two miles ahead on the left.
        From I-95/Route 128 Northbound: Take exit 24 for Route 30. Route 30 is one of several options at this exit, so follow signs carefully. Turn left at the top of the ramp onto Route 30. Turn right at the traffic lights, and Brandeis is two miles ahead on the left.
        From Route 20 in Watertown: Continue down Route 20 past the large park in Waltham center. Just after the old CVS and the pet store on your right the street will split in three directions. Route 117 will be a slight left and South Street will be a hard left. Make the left on to South Street, you should pass the Walgreens on your right. Continue down South Street, Brandeis is on the left.
        By commuter rail: Commuter train service is available from Boston's North Station or Porter Square Station to the Brandeis/Roberts Station which borders the campus. Check MBTA commuter rail schedules for more information.
 Once you have turned onto the Brandeis campus, bear left, towards the Admissions Building. At the first stop sign you reach, take a left into a parking lot. This is T-Lot. Park there. Once you exit T-Lot, cross the street and walk up and past the big green building (Shapiro Campus Center).  Levin Ballroom is in Usdan Student Center at the northern end of campus.  The entranceway is to the left of the "bubbles".   It is the door opposite the main Usdan entrance.

Proposed classes:
Norse Mythology: Kali
Mask Making (felt and cloth): Cristovau
Masks on Stage: Cristovau
Who's Who in Classical Mythology: Morwenna
Gods, Goddesses and Myth in Classical Indian Dance: Lakshemi
Mythological Aspects Of The Matter of France: Alexx
Ball Preparation: An Assortment From the Playlist: Mara
Ball Preparation: English Country Dances: Justin
Basics of Poetry Involving Gods and Goddesses: Christian

Event Schedule

How to get to the classes (if you're facing the ballroom):

Levin Ballroom (ballroom track): Classes will be on the left-side of the ballroom (the rest of the room is open space).

International Lounge (dance track): Turn around and walk out of the building, past the "bubbles", into the main part of the student center, and up the center flight of stairs. The lounge is at the top of the flight of stairs.

Alumni Lounge (mythology track): Turn right and go up the first flight of stairs on your right. When you reach the landing turn left. The lounge is now in front of you.

Conference Room C (mask track): Turn around and walk out of the building, past the "bubbles", into the main part of the student center, and up the center flight of stairs. Turn right and when the hallway ends turn left. Make another left. It is on the right at the end of the hall.

Class Descriptions
(there are no class limits or fees for any of the classes)

Basics of Poetry Involving Gods and Goddesses (led by Christian):
This class will go over some period examples of poetry with mythological deities in them.   The poems will be analyzed for poetic elements.  Students will then use what they've learned to write their own poems.  Attendees should bring their own paper and writing implements (though there will be some provided by the instructor, just in case).
(2-4 pm, Levin Ballroom)

Gods and Goddesses in Southern Indian Classical Dance (led by Lakshmi)
 In celebration of the Epic Masked Ball, we will take a hands on look at gods and goddesses in Indian Dance - both historical and modern.  Class will include a Who's Who of the Hindu pantheon, along with how dancers typically have portrayed these dieties - in the past and the present. We'll also experiment with how to bring a little of yourself to these lively characters.
 Movement will focus on hand, arm and face movements, with a very small bit of energetic footwork and some walking.  Clothing you can move your
torso in is a plus, but not required.  Any little bit you know about dance helps, but the class doesn't presume any Indian dance knowledge.
(2-3 pm, International Lounge)

Who's Who in Classical Mythology (led by Morwenna)
If you've always had trouble telling Perseus from Theseus, or remembering which one was Echo and which one was Psyche, if you can't name all nine muses, then this is the class for you.  We will discuss and clarify some of the more popular myths and characters. Feel free to bring questions about any classical myth.
(3-4 pm, Alumni Lounge)

Introduction to Norse Mythology (led by Kali)
A review of our sources on the Norse myths, an overview of the world of the Norse myths, and a survey of the cast of characters.
(2-3 pm, Alumni Lounge)

Mythological Aspects of the Matter of France (led by Alexx)
Come learn how stories of the original Carolingians (the court of Charlemagne) tie in with earlier myths and legends.  Classical, biblical, Arthurian, and more, they took a little from everything.  Do you know what a "fata" is? Come find out!
(4-5 pm, Alumni Lounge)

Ball Preparation: English Country Dances (led by Justin)
Teaching the English Country Dances on tonight's playlist: Hyde Park, Mage on a Cree, Jenny Pluck Pears, Rufty Tufty, Chestnut, Heartsease, Gathering
Peascods.  Picking of Sticks if time allows.
(3-4 pm, International Lounge)

Ball Preparation: An Assortment from the Playlist (led by Mara)
Quick teaching/review of selected dances from tonight's playlist: Madam Socilia alman, Lauro, Gelosia, Petit Vriens, Rostiboli Gioioso
(4-5 pm, International Lounge)

Period Mask-Making (led by Cristovau)
In this workshop, students will build masks in a period style from your choice of stiffened fabric, paper mache or modern materials.  Simple masks prepared from blank forms can be made in time for the evening, though primarily this class will cover techniques for making masks for future projects.  A limited selection of materials will be available.  Feel free to bring your own mask accessories (feathers, beads, pins, trim and the like)  There is no materials fee for this class.
(2-3 pm, Conference Room C)

Mask Techniques for Theater (led by Cristovau)
"People in masks cannot be trusted." - Fezzik, The Princess Bride
This class will include a discussion and presentation of how to use a mask on stage for it's fullest effect.  Primarily the focus will be on movement, facing and gestures used in period theater.  Students will be encouraged to bring their own mask and a variety of prepared masks to explore the techniques in class.
(2-3 pm, Conference Room C)

Note: “open maskmaking space” means that during this block anyone who needs to finish their felt & cloth mask or needs a place to assemble a mask with their own materials can do so. There will be no teacher on duty so parental supervision is highly recommended if there are kids around.
(3-4 pm, Conference Room C)

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