Sipping on champagne and nibbling on sweet chocolate-covered strawberries will delight students and faculty who purchase Patrons Lounge tickets to attend the Restoration Ball. Since the Patrons Lounge is available to only those over 21, regular admission is open to all students and faculty for a lower price.
The Jefferson Society and the University Guide Service, sponsors of the Restoration Ball, use the money collected from the admissions to restore different areas of the University.
"Originally it was to restore the colonnades near Lambeth Field, but we realized we could never quite reach that goal because it was so much," said Brooke Bakun, a fourth-year College student and University Guide. "We wanted to put it toward something more tangible that we could see results from in the near future."
The money raised now will go toward renovating the courtyard outside of Clemons Library, Bakun said.
Although the money will serve the community, it also buys a night full of dancing. Many students arrive with dates, but Bakun said that several come with others of friends. The dress is formal attire with men in tuxes and the ladies in long dresses. It looks a lot like prom, Bakun said.
"I feel like it is one of the only large formal dances available for all students to attend," Bakun said. "It is kind of an alternative to all of the Greek system formals."
According to Bakun, this year's performers will include a band called The Bureau as well as the Charlottesville Swing Orchestra.
The Bureau, comprised of mainly University students, plays mostly covers. They perform at parties in the area and have been at the Restoration Ball in the past, Bakun said.
One of the most popular aspects of the ball, though, is the calling of the reel, she said.
The Charlottesville Swing Orchestra will call the Virginia Reel at 11 p.m. The reel is like a square dance, and there will be people there to help teach the steps, Bakun said.
In addition to the Virginia Reel, Bakun said the swing dancing allows her to put what she learned in Prep Step, a University short course, to use.
At the Ball, the winner of the Mary Hall Betts Award will be announced.
"The award is given out each year to a deserving organization that works to better the community," Bakun said.
Tickets to the 40th annual Restoration Ball will be on sale on the Lawn until Friday, and any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
The ball will be in Newcomb Hall Ballroom on Friday, March 21 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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