Description

Ring in the Christmas season at the Provo City Ballroom for our Second Annual Jane Austen Yule Ball. We will once again be hosting a Regency Ball on Jane Austen’s Birthday and all are invited.

“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.” – Pride & Prejudice Chapter 3

You will once again be delighted by English Country Line Dances, a celebratory birthday cake, hors d’oeuvres, games, and a vendor market. Live music will be provided by the illustrious Ashton String Quartet.

The evening will start at 6 o’clock as you are announced at the entrance by our Master of Ceremonies. Dances will then ensue as you are taught several English Country dances led by our lovely dance caller. You will have the opportunity to dance with your partner accompanied by a live string quartet until the 8 o’clock hour, when we will celebrate our beloved author by cutting a birthday 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 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.

And should you wish to memorialize the evening, a new-fangled 360° photo booth will be at your disposal throughout the night. Photos will be free and sent post-haste to your personal electronic device.

Dance Lists

We are especially thrilled to offer two sets of dances during the evening. The first set of dances are all traditional English Country Dances that Jane Austen may have enjoyed in Bath and Chawton. These dances are very simple to learn and many have been featured in period movies.

First Set of Dances

• • Comical Fellow

• • Tythe Pig

• • Shrewsbury Lasses

• • 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 of dances pay homage to this time and will feature period dance steps set to more modern tunes.

Second Set of Dances

• • The Kiss (from 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

Dress Code

In order to maintain the Regency experience, this is costumed event. Regency costume is highly encouraged. Should you find your closet lacking, Sunday best is acceptable. Due to the historic nature of the venue, high heeled shoes are not permitted.

Venue

Provo Library Ballroom – Third Floor 550 N University Ave Provo, UT 84601 Date: December 16^th, 2026 Time: 6pm to 10pm

Agenda

5:00 – 6:00 pm – Early Dance Instruction Begins 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Arrival and Introductions 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Announcement by Master of Ceremonies 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – First Set of Dances 8:00 – 8:30 pm – Photo and Vendor Shopping 8:30 pm – 8:45 pm – Jane Austen cake celebration 8:45 pm – 10:00 pm – Second Set of Dances 10:00 pm – Carriage Arrival and Final Farewells

FAQs

Do I need prior experience with English country dancing to enjoy myself? Certainly not! Instruction will be given before each dance begins. There will also be a pre-ball dance workshop where you can learn all the dances. I do not have a dance partner, may I still attend? Of course! Our ball is open to all guests. In this time period, most eligible ladies and gentlemen would attend balls for the sole purpose to meet each other. Most regency dances will require a companion and 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 vendor market, many 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 celebration 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. Is the photo backdrop and 360° photo booth free to use?

Both are included in the cost of the ticket. We will have a volunteer at each to take pictures for you. Take as many photos and videos as you desire so you can remember the evening during the cold winter. What shoes are good for English country dancing?

We recommend flats or slip on shoes. Due to the historic nature of the ballroom, we are not permitted to wear high heels or boots. If your outfit requires high heels or boots, please bring an alternate pair to wear while dancing. December can be cold, will there be a coat check? Yes! We will have a coat check as you ascend the stairs to the third level ballroom. 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.

General Etiquette

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 dancing. Men are expected to act like gentlemen, and women are expected to act like ladies.

Phones and Photography – Consent is Key

Everyone will be in lovely gowns and coats, but remember to ask permission before taking photos. Should you have a need to make a phone call or idly play a game, we ask that you step out of the room so we can maintain the a period atmosphere.

Dancing

If you are in a dance when it starts, stay in until it is finished. As dances are performed in a line, if you desire to join a dance after it has begun, please join at the bottom of the line. Traditionally, gentlemen would only dance with a lady for no more than two dances, otherwise a scandal could ensue. We encourage everyone to make new friends and change partners between dances.

“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.

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 army 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.” – Mrs Bennet, Pride & 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