I could have danced all night

This Saturday I took the plastic cover off of the burgundy ball gown I got four years ago in Vienna, pulled on a pair of flat black shoes and ivory ruched opera gloves, and sat in front of the mirror for about an hour while my lovely friend Serena pinned my hair on top of my head in a chaotic tangle of twists and curls and braids.  I met Andy (in white tie) outside, and off we went to the ball.

Yup, the ball.  As in:

(Look out for the couple at about 0:17 with the woman in a blue scarf.)

His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador Dr Emil Brix brought himself and his impressive title here from London to host the Grand Viennese St Valentine Ball in the Oxford Town Hall.  We waltzed and polkaed and quadrilled and marched and galloped and polonaised and mazurkaed as a vivacious orchestra frolicked its way through three hours of Strauss and company.  It all evoked the strong sensation of being in Vienna again.  I danced two dances--a staggeringly athletic polka and waltz--with a French friend, and spent the rest of the time hanging out with my date, dancing and having a wonderful time, enjoying the fabulous music.  We ended the night dancing to An der schönen blauen Donau.

Just like that time four years ago in Vienna when I went to the ball in the Hofburg palace with my roommates, I have caught myself in the days after the ball absently humming songs like "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "Shall We Dance."  I've earned some odd looks, but have made no effort to do anything about it.  I intend to hang onto this sensation of having visited a fairy tale for as long as possible.

The photo album is here on Facebook, and there are two more very short videos from the ball: waltz and polka.

This is a short post, so I will now provide you with an appendix of relevant youtube videos so that you can waste as much time here as you normally would if you were reading one of the long effusions I usually write.  The following three videos sum up Saturday night quite nicely: