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Salt Lake Symphony Vienna Ball

Saturday Feb. 12 @ University of Utah

by Austen Diamond

February 10, 2011

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The concept of the Vienna Ball goes back to Emperor Joseph II’s (1765-1790) belief that balls shouldn’t be restricted to the nobility. Now, during the three-month ball season—coinciding with Carnival celebrations—there are more than 200 on the national calendar.

That black-tie spirit culminates here in Utah with one passionate evening: The 25th annual Vienna Ball. Hosted by the Salt Lake Symphony, local nobility-for-a-night dance the Viennese waltz, slow waltz, slow foxtrot, tango, quickstep and polka schnell, to name a few. As is customary in Viennese balls, a speech (in this case from emcee and composer Kurt Bestor) and a floor show (the BYU ballroom dance team) kick off the glammed-up festivities. The Mark Chaney Jazz Trio also will perform, and there’s a full sit-down dinner and a silent auction, to boot.

In Vienna, balls can last until 5 a.m.; this one adjourns at midnight.

Salt Lake Symphony Vienna Ball @ University of Utah, Union Ballroom, 200 S. Central Campus Drive, Feb. 12, 8 p.m., $75 reserved seating, $50 general admission. BrownPaperTickets.com, SaltLakeSymphony.org