Mar
31
Dancing with the Duke, General, etc.
March 31, 2008 |
Posted by Karin
The culminating event of Monroe’s Custer Celebration 2008 is a lavish soiree and ball honoring Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis. Join us for this memorable occasion and Dance with the Stars of days gone by.
Hobnob with royalty, distinguished generals and military officials, dignitaries and prominent citizens. So far the celebrated guest list includes the Grand Duke Alexis (guest of honor), General George Custer, and Buffalo Bill Cody. We’ll keep you posted as this esteemed guest list grows.
You won’t want to miss this grand affair! Only a limited amount of tickets will be available. As soon as we know ticket details, we’ll post them here. Meanwhile, save the date - Saturday, October 11, 2008.
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Details for the Grand Duke Alexis Dinner & Ball will be forthcoming very soon. The grand finale is shaping up to be more exciting with each passing day. I strongly urge your readers to reserve their tickets promptly once the details are made public.If you wait for a formal invitation you may find your self with out one.
Attendees will have this opportunity to shine as everyone will be wearing either any historical period formal attire OR modern day formal attire. What better opportunity to buy a new floor length gown, tuxedo or your favorite historial wardrobe. With the War of 1812 Bicentennial right around the corner and events surrounding our Monroe history already in the planning stages, get a jump on it now and don military or civilian dress to help commemorate that event.
Decorations will have the theme of the Russian Aristocracy, surprise touches will only be known to those in attendance. Don’t miss this chance to join Karin & Ronda in person to celebrate this historical recreation of the Grand Duke’s visit to the United States with General Custer as his personal tour guide. Their friendship ended one fateful day years later at the Little Big Horn.
Thanks for the information Sandy. Please keep us posted.
Mardi Gras was one stop on the young Grand Duke’s American tour where he was the guest of honor. I found this piece of interesting information about that visit and the official Rex the King of Carnival’s anthem.
“The official anthem of Rex is “If Ever I Cease to Love,” a song from a popular musical comedy of the 1870’s called “Blue Beard.” This catchy tune was part of the repertoire of Lydia Thompson, a popular British singer whose American tour came to New Orleans in 1872, the year Rex was organized. The Grand Duke Alexis of Russia was also making an American tour, and was the honored guest for the first Rex parade.
Legend has long romantically linked the Grand Duke with the singer, and suggested that “If Ever I Cease to Love” was performed for the Grand Duke because of his romantic interest in Miss Thompson. While this is a good story, it is probably not quite true.
Bands performed the Russian national anthem for the Grand Duke, and when Rex dismounted on Canal Street to review the parade the bands played “If Ever I Cease to Love.” It has been the Rex anthem ever since, played for Rex and his Queen when they arrive at the Grand Ball, for the presentation of the court, and after the meeting of the Rex and Comus courts on Mardi Gras night.”
Want to know more about Rex and Mardi Gras? Visit: http://www.rexorganization.com/Tradition/
Don’t forget to bookmark our site as future articles will trace the Grand Duke’s American tour including the famous buffalo hunt. Also, a San Francisco collector will loan some rare Grand Duke artifacts obtained during this visit to the Monroe County Historical Museum. Details describing that collection will soon follow.
Ronda - Sandy invited readers to join us as we celebrate this historical recreation of the Grand Duke’s visit to the United States with General Custer as his personal tour guide.
The pressure is on! Who are you going to be, and what are you wearing? I think I want to step out of real life and become “high society.” However, singer Lydia Thompson would be fun too. Any other suggestions?
Karin,
That’s a good question. Who shall I be? I ask myself that every morning, but who I shall be at the Grand Ball will require more thought than usual.
I’m working on re-vamping an old vintage gown that I got a great deal on. I’m thinking it’s going to end up 1870s style, or at least will have an 1870s silhouette. Luckily, attendees of the Grand Ball aren’t required to appear in 100% period clothing, or I’d be in trouble!
I think I’ll most likely just be myself, although the idea of becoming someone else for a few hours is intriguing.
I have no suggestions for you, but Miss Lydia sounds like a lovely choice. Do any photos of her exist?