The Beethoven Ball
Come and dance the waltzes and contradances of the early nineteenth century Viennese ballroom to the music of Beethoven and his contemporaries! Taking place in the lovely ballroom of the San Jose Woman’s Club, the Beethoven Ball features live music for your dancing from the SJSU Symphony Orchestra, and performances from Dance Through Time and The Academy of Danse Libre. Ball dances will include contradances reconstructed from nineteenth-century sources by Joan Walton.
Living History through
Dancing and Music
The Beethoven Ball celebrates the dance music from the composer's lifetime. Every two years, the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies and the American Beethoven Society present an exciting evening filled with nineteenth-century dance accompanied by the San Jose State Symphony Orchestra, bringing the elegance of Beethoven's Vienna to life.
The Event
Music
Stirring Musical Performances
Experience live the music of Beethoven and his contemporaries played by the San Jose State Symphony Orchestra, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich orchestral sounds of early nineteenth-century Vienna.
Dancing
Entertaining Dances
Engage in the delightful dances of nineteeth-century Vienna as we transport you back to a time of grand balls and elegant gatherings. No previous dance experience is required, and all dances are taught and called at the ball. For neophytes there is also a pre-event dance workshop before the ball.
Romance
Another Time, Another Place
Experience the romance of Beethoven's Vienna through an event where period costumes from the early nineteenth century are encouraged, but not necessary! This is the era of Jane Austen--born in the same year as Beethoven--and the time of the Regency in England.
Community
Dancing in Harmony
Join us to celebrate our vibrant community of music and dance lovers, who come together every two years to revel in the beauty from the era of Beethoven, ensuring an unforgettable evening.