Ali Baba's Bal Masqué.

"MASQUE" courtly form of dramatic spectacle, popular in England in the first half of the 17th cent. The masque developed from the early 16th-century disguising, or mummery, in which disguised guests bearing presents would break into a festival and then join with their hosts in a ceremonial dance. As the form evolved, the important elements retained were the use of the mask and the mingling of actors and spectators. Reaching its height in the early 17th cent., the masque became a magnificent and colorful spectacle, presented in public theaters and, with more splendor, in the royal courts. The actors personified pastoral and mythological figures, with great emphasis placed on music and dance. The foremost writer of the masque was Ben Jonson. However, it was his collaborator Inigo Jones, the theatrical architect, famous for his elaborate costume designs, settings, and scenic effects, who gave the masque its greatest popularity. Some of their more successful masques include The Masque of Blackness (1605) and Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue (1618). from www.bartleby.com - the Colombia Encyclopaedia

December 17th 2005

Over the desert wild and free
Rides the bold Sheik of Araby.
His Arab band
At his commmand,
Follow his love's caravan.
Under the shadow of the palms;
He sings to call her to his arms.

A queue forms. The Amazon Queen snapped up the first carpet ride and le Enchanteur is not impressed to find the Queen in the arms of the Sheik of Araby.
by Heather Blakey

The Sheik of Araby
cordially invites you
to enjoy a night of entertainment
at the 2005 Ali Baba Bal Masqué
in his palace
tonight at 8:00 p.m.

Pull out your masks and gowns
and join him in the palace ballroom.
The Sheik has your name on his dance card

click dance card to enjoythe music, as suggested
by Sylvia Kleindinst

Best places for Costumes and Masks

To get your costumes and masks make sure to visit the boudoirs of Carol Abel and Sylvia Kleindinst who have provided some simply wonderful ideas.

Kiss and Tell

Do make sure to kiss and tell us all about your magic carpet ride from the Hermitage and your night at the ball when you return to the Caravanserai in the wee small hours of the morning.