The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers

About The Winter Delights 1890's Ball

The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers are pleased to announce the Winter Delights Ball, an evening of 1890's music, dancing and entertainments. The ball will run from 7:30 to 11pm at the Holliston Town Hall. Formal or semi-formal attire is requested, attire of the 1890's is especially welcome. Live music will be supplied by Spare Parts: Bill Matthiesen, Liz Stell and Mark Bagdon. Dance cards will be distributed at the beginning of the ball. Note: late arrival will limit the availability of prospective partners whose cards may already have been filled. The Ball will be held in Holliston, MA, at the Holliston Town Hall, 703 Washington Street, Holliston, MA.

Instruction in waltz and polka will be provided by Patri J. Pugliese at an afternoon workshop, 3-5pm, also in the Holliston Town Hall. There is no charge for the dance workshop.

DIRECTIONS Holliston is west of Boston, just off the Mass Pike (I-90) near Framingham, MA.

From Mass Turnpike (I-90): Take Exit 13 to Rt. 30 West and follow to Rt. 126 South. Rt. 126 will bring you into Holliston. Look for Police Station on left after Rt. 16 joins Rt. 126. Town Hall will be on the right about 1/2 mile from Police Station.

From Rt. 128 (Rt. I95): Exit onto Rt.16 west. Follow through Wellesley, Natick and Sherborn until you reach Holliston. Look for Police Station on left after Rt. 126 joins Rt.16. Town Hall will be on the right about 1/2 mile from Police Station.

From Rt. 495 South: Take Exit 20, go to end of ramp and turn right. Follow to set of lights (get in left lane) and take left turn on Fortune Blvd. Travel up and over the hill to the second traffic light and take a left onto Rt. 16. Continue on Rt. 16 east, into Holliston and through downtown. Town Hall will be on the left after the large white church with the green out front.

From Rt. 495 North: Take Exit 19, go to the end of the ramp and take a left. Follow to set of lights (get in right lane) and take right turn on Beaver St.. Follow to next set lights and turn right on Rt. 16. Continue on Rt. 16 east, into Holliston and through downtown. Town Hall will be on the left after the large white church with the green out front.

Parking: There is parking BEHIND the town hall, and on the street. The large lot NEXT to the Town Hall (south side) belongs to the church, we ask that you do not park there.

There will be a Pre-Ball dance workshop at the Town Hall on the day of the Ball, free of charge. It will be taught by Patri Pugliese; he will teach some basics of 1890's dance, the level of instruction will be tailored to those who attend. The workshop will take place from 3-5pm on January 15 (the day of the ball).

Though a partner of one's own is a help at a ball please don't let the lack of one keep you away. During the ball folks mix and dance with many different partners throughout the evening. We also do not Gender Balance so singles will not be placed on a waiting list.

The perennial question that confronts one when getting ready for a ball is "What shall I wear?" For our vintage Balls we encourage our patrons to wear period style dress, or dress that is evocative of the period if they wish but modern formal or semi-formal wear is also equally acceptable. Please don't let the lack of period clothing keep you away from the ball. The main thing is for you to come and enjoy the evening.

For this Ball a modern full length gown (or as close to that as possible), full enough in the skirt to allow freedom of movement would be just fine. Shoes should have low or medium height heels, spike heels can be dangerous and difficult to dance in. For the Gentlemen a suit and tie is also an acceptable alternative to white tie and tails or a tuxedo. For those who wish to recreate the 1890's we have a guide with illustrations of some of the styles worn during this time. please visit Evening Dress of the 1890's for detailed information about proper period dress.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Holliston Town Hall provides a lovely space for dancing, but space for changing clothes is extremely limited. If you can arrive dressed for the evening, or substantially so, there should be adequate space for attendees travelling from great distances who have no alternative but to change at the hall.

Bed and Breakfast Inns

Sherborn Inn, The closest, about a 5 minute drive, and quite nice. This is on Rt 16 a few miles northeast of the Holliston Town Hall. The Inn is attractive and historic. Sherborn is a very picaresque town, and for those wanting the "New England Countryside" experience, this would be a highly recommended place for lodging, and is also a well regarded restaurant. Rates are $130-$150 per room, includes continental breakfast; each room holds at least two people. See their website for a more detailed description. Visit their website at: http://www.sherborninn.com/ .

Arabian Horse Inn , Sudbury, MA (12 miles/45 minutes from Holliston) (978)443-7400 (800)272-2426 $169-319, full breakfast included. Secluded on nine wooded acres with a horse farm, this 1880 Queen Anne Victorian with at least 10 guest rooms, including a separate guest house. arabianhorseinn.com

Hunt House Inn, Sudbury, MA (12 miles/45 minutes from Holliston) (978)440-9525 $85-100 4 rooms or suites all with private baths; one suite holds 4 people, one three, the other two rooms only 2 each. Online Reservations, well-suited as a bed and breakfast, this early American farmhouse and barn is located in the King Philip Historic District. Fully restored, it is furnished with period antiques, and owners Jim and Molly pride themselves on their variety of breakfasts. http://www.hunthouseinn.com/

Longfellow's Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA (12 miles/45 minutes from Holliston) (978)443-1776 $96-155, 10 rooms. Henry Ford founded the non-profit corporation that manages the Wayside Inn in 1944, to preserve it as a historic and literary shrine. http://www.wayside.org/

There are other B&Bs in Stow and Grafton, but in spite of the geographic proximity to Holliston, the disposition of roads make them likely to be a good hour's drive to the ball.

FRAMINGHAM/NATICK AREA: (closest big city)
15 minutes drive from Holliston, just a sampling of the many hotels and motels here.

The Hampton Inn, (508) 653-5000, 319 Speen St., Natick, MA, hamptoninn.com

Courtyard by Marriott, (508) 655-6100, 342 Speen St., Natick, MA, marriott.com

MILFORD (next closest city, 17 minutes drive from Holliston)

Holiday Inn Express, (508) 634-1054, 50 Fortune Blvd., Milford, MA, holidayinn.com

Radisson Hotel, (866) 298-3548, 11 Beaver St., Milford, MA, radisson.com

Bertucci's,414 Washington St., Holliston , MA 01746, Phone: (508) 429-4571.

Acapulco, Mexican restaurant, Rt. 16,

Michi Kusa, Japanese, Framingham, at the intersection of Rt. 9 and Rt. 126.

Sherborn Inn, Rt 16 a few miles northeast of the Holliston Town Hall. The Inn has a restaurant in addition to its guest rooms. See their website for a more detailed description. Visit their website at: http://www.sherborninn.com/.

There are also many dining (and shopping) options in Framingham, too numerous to list here, visit this link for further information: Framingham restaurants

Each year we sponsor several open-to-the-public balls. The most likely annual schedule is: an 1890's Ball in mid-winter, The Returning Heroes Ball in late-winter (the only ball where period dress is required), A Ragtime Ball in late Spring, the Nahant Victorian Day Ball in July, a Civil War Young Peoples Ball in the early Fall, a less formal Civil War Salem Light Infantry Ball in late Fall, as well as tea dances on the second Sunday of the month throughout the fall and spring. We also host the magical Newport Vintage Dance Week each August in Newport County, Rhode Island. This annual schedule is subject to change. Please consult our Events Calendar for up-to-date information.

To get on our general mailing list or to get information regarding bookings, classes, or our events calendar, please contact:

THE COMMONWEALTH VINTAGE DANCERS
P.O.Box 9, Nahant, Massachusetts 01908
e-mail: 
phone: Hannah Roberts Artuso: (781) 662-8344
or Patri J. Pugliese: (781) 396-2870
(before 10:00 pm eastern time, please)