Masquerade X at the Century Ballroom
$25-$65
Émile Waldteufel — Selected works
Dmitri Shostakovich — Selected works
Josef Lanner — Selected works
Leroy Anderson — Selected works
Giacomo Puccini — Selected works
Antonín Dvořák — Selected works
Richard Rodgers — Selected works
Duke Ellington — Selected works
Irving Berlin — Selected works
Cole Porter — Selected works
This evening is both a Masquerade ball and a concert for a select few (because balcony seating is limited). The award-winning, 9-piece Valse Café Orchestra headlines this 10th annual Masquerade at the Century Ballroom. With works arranged by Music Director Toby Hanson primarily for dancers, the evening's program – about 36 songs – features works by Strauss, Waldteufel, Shostakovich, Josef Lanner, LeRoy Anderson, Puccini, Dvořák, Rodgers and Hammerstein and others – interspersed with music from the Great American Songbook (Ellington, Berlin, Cole Porter and others).
It's a dance, yes. But also a concert that plays out across one 4-hour act in which the masked dancers become performers in their own impetuous evening. Instead of typical intermissions, top regional performers fill the brief band breaks with intermezzo cabaret performances. The night's only rule: Everyone must wear a mask (and a handful are even available at the door for $5).
All together, Masquerade X is a mix of symphonic masterpieces, classic arias (such as "O mio babbio caro"), the best of the swing genre, and compelling Latin music – all performed by an ensemble of music professionals that, for seven consecutive years, has been the recipient of coveted Sustained Support Grants for musical excellence from 4Culture, King County's arts-funding agency.
Every year we make a small number of balcony tickets available to non-dancers for $25, and this year we have just 20 of those seats. The Century Ballroom, on Capitol Hill, is a beautiful 1908 venue with impeccable acoustics. Non-dancer ticket holders have a front-row seat to the music and spectacle, as well as access to meals and libations from The Tin Table restaurant just across the hall. And yes – even in the balcony, everyone must wear a mask, if only a .99-cent Lone Ranger mask from the Dollar Store.
These balcony-seat tickets are not available online. You can get yours by contacting the Masquerade's impresario, Dean Paton, at (206) 323-1263 or dgpaton@mac.com.
Dancer tickets are $55 day of; $65 advance. Non-dancers (balcony) are $25 – available from the producer, listed above.