Why More Women of Color Should Participate In The Annual Quadrille Ball—One Performer Shares Her Experience
By Shara Talia Taylor | November 25, 2024 | The Soft Life
Efforts to promote a historical French dance event to benefit the German-American Scholarship Association have geared up.
The German Consulate, which presents the annual Quadrille Ball, hosted an evening reception last week to bring attention to the upcoming 64th event, which will be held at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on February 8, 2025. One of the performers shared with DivaGalsDaily how much she enjoyed the preparation for the event and would encourage young adults from all backgrounds to join as performers.
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“It’s definitely something that people should try, especially if you are a young person in New York City looking for a network and a group of friends,” said 29-year-old Ahnna Wilkes. “This would be the perfect fit.”
Wilkes, from Elgin, Illinois, wanted to meet new people and build a network when she first moved to New York. She learned about the historical dance through a friend who recommended her, and she performed the year after.
It’s a cultural experience as performers interact with each other and learn a traditional French dance, its history and etiquette. Wilkes said her class last year was the most broadly represented regarding countries and origins.
Additionally, the German-American Scholarship promotes cultural and educational exchange between Germany and the United States. The annual white-tie ball helps raise funds for exchange students.
Wilkes said those between 21 and 35 who are interested can apply to be a part of the four or five pairs of men and women who dance together. They begin practicing in the fall and pay $500-$600 for a discounted ball ticket to the annual white-tie event. They are encouraged to network and create interest among their friends and family.
“One thing that’s challenging is just learning the curtsey and the etiquette behind the dance because it’s kind of a lost art compared to a lot of what we’re exposed to right now, but it’s not bad,” she said. “They go very slow with the training and the teaching.”
More information regarding the event and tickets can be found at quadrilleball.org.
photo credit: BFA / Madeleine Thomas
