Dolley Madison Ball to be Held Sept. 27 in Ridgewood

Travel back in time and join the Village of Ridgewood at the Dolley Madison Ball, presented by The North River Colonial Dancers, on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Willard School Auditorium in Ridgewood.

The ball, in honor of the illustrious and popular First Lady, will feature patriotic music from the War of 1812 in America and the Regency Era in England. There will be a Grand March, some longways dances, cotillions, quadrilles and perhaps a very fashionable, but perhaps scandalous couple’s waltz on the dance floor.

Admission is $25 and participants can pay in advance by contacting Janice Wolk at janice.wolk@yahoo.co. Checks can be made out to Janice Wolk and mailed to Janice, who will provide a mailing address once participants email her. The first 60 to register will get a commemorative button upon arrival.

Period attire is late 18th or early 19th century. However, modern clothes are perfectly acceptable: For women, a dress, dressy skirt, dressy pantsuit or gown and for men, suit or dress slacks and at least sport coat (no jeans, sneakers or casual/sporty clothing). Ladies, please bring shoes that are suitable for dancing – i.e. ballet flats (high heels do not work for this style of dancing).

The ball will open with a Grand March and a singing of the Star Spangled Banner promptly at 7 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. to be part of the lineup.

All are welcome, though the ball will not have provisions for young children.

Participants are advised to park in the lot off California Street and walk up the sidewalk into the California Street entrance.