Live music by Fireside Social Orchestra, Triplum, and Musica Universalis
English Country Dancing with caller Laura Hatch
Sword fighting demonstration by Academia Duellatoria
Puppet show by Jacob Breedlove
Late night after-party with classical dance remixes in Lola's Room

This event is eligible for a just-for-fun McMenamins History Ball Passport stamp.

McMenamins cordially invites you to our second annual History Ball at the Crystal Ballroom, this year with two floors of live entertainment-the Crystal Ballroom main stage & Lola's Room!

This grand affair celebrates the historical costumes of the world before 1920, inspired by Bridgerton, Jane Austen, The Gilded Age, and more! Whether you love Renaissance fashion, the Court of Versailles, Regency elegance, Victorian styles, or the Edwardian age, don your chosen fashion and dance the night away to classical ballroom music spanning centuries, performed by three live ensembles: Fireside Social Orchestra, Triplum, and Musica Universalis.

Over the course of this magical evening, you'll get the chance to learn traditional English Country Dancing with dance caller Laura Hatch, watch a sword fighting demonstration from Academia Duellatoria, experience an old-fashioned puppet show, and fill out your keepsake dance card. There will also be free dancing, partner dancing, a photo station, and time for simply enjoying the music and the historical ambience.

Plus...stick around for the late night after-party in Lola's Room with classical music techno dance remixes. Imagine Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Vivaldi supercharged with electronic beats. Party in your powdered wigs and minuet 'til midnight-and beyond!

Have questions? We have answers! Visit our History Ball FAQ page for more details.

Please note: While we take delight in the beautiful fashions and styles from history, we embrace and celebrate today's modern expressions of freedom, acceptance, and equality for all. Vintage style, not vintage values!

Fireside Social Orchestra is a seven-piece ensemble from the Northwest specializing in the music of the 19th century, in the style of small orchestras featured in parlour and ballroom dances of long ago. Their large repertoire includes quadrilles from Foster's Social Orchestra published by Stephen Foster in 1854, music from the Aurora Colony, established in 1856, and other music from old Oregon, light classical music, waltzes, and more. Members include Gayle Neuman (violin, tenor horn), Phil Neuman (flageolet, tenor viola, tuba), Mark McCormick (cornet, alto horn), LeeAnn McKenna (flute, recorder), Nicole Buetti (bassoon), Cindy Markham (clarinet, recorder), and Laura Kuhlman (flute, recorder).

Triplum is a Portland-based instrumental trio of bass clarinet, viola, and harpsichord, performing a repertoire spanning from medieval to ragtime music on historical instruments. Aage Nielson (bass clarinet, douçaine) performed for over twenty years with the Boise Philharmonic. Ben Neubaurer (viola, vielle) studied at Oberlin Conservatory. Jacob Breedlove (harpsichord, hurdy-gurdy) has a background as a multi-instrumentalist, puppeteer, and harpsichord builder, and is regarded as one of the foremost hurdy-gurdy players on the West Coast.

Musica Universalis is an early-music ensemble based in Portland, Oregon. The band plays mostly music of medieval Europe, with occasional forays to other times and continents. Members include Laura Kuhlman (woodwinds, rebec), Ester Saulle (woodwinds, viola da gamba), Elizabeth O'Connor (bowed strings), and Paul Beck (cimbalom, percussion).