Have you ever experienced the grandeur of a ball?
While modern times see people socializing and dancing at pubs and nightclubs, attending balls was once a significant cultural affair. Men showcased their elegance in stylish tuxedos and lavish materials, while women adorned themselves in corsets and voluminous dresses.
Even in our futuristic present, the tradition of dancing in ballrooms wearing extravagant ball gowns hasn’t vanished. In fact, various organizations organize events dedicated to commemorating this historical era centered around ball dancing, and one such notable occasion is the Stanford Viennese Ball.
The Stanford Viennese Ball, as described on its website, stands as an exhilarating Stanford institution, featuring social dance, live music, performances, and lively contests. Originating in 1978, the ball was driven by students who had completed the Stanford-in-Austria program and were inspired by the grand balls in Vienna, Austria.
The inaugural event, held in Toyon Hall, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 350 students, marking the beginning of a tradition that has since evolved into a formal affair eagerly anticipated by students. The excitement is palpable as attendees revel in the opportunity to don freshly ironed suits, dresses, and gloves.
A highlight of the event is the opening dance, meticulously curated by the Stanford Viennese Ball Opening Committee. The opening song captivates the audience with its impressive harmony and synchronicity. Men don black suits, while ladies grace the scene in white silk dresses and gloves, executing multiple lifts and quick spins that leave the audience in awe.
The opening committee’s performance is a spectacle that never has a dull moment, featuring a series of captivating maneuvers that seamlessly flow from one to the next. Witness the charm and entertainment of their act below!
Sir Tom Jones Tear-jerking Performance Joins D-Day Commemorations
The Normandy Landings, popularly referred to as “D-Day,” were a part of the Allied invasion of Normandy in World War II, and were celebrated for the eightieth time in June 2024. Numerous memorial services have been held in the weeks that have followed, leading up to a major event on June 6th at the British Normandy memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. Along with many other well-known people and politicians, Welsh singing icon Sir Tom Jones participated in the celebrations by passionately performing “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall.”
Even though it was performed as a tribute to Tom’s late wife Linda, the song turned out to be perfect for the D-Day event, giving the celebrations a heartfelt and somber tone. Tom sung of the “honor” he felt to be asked to perform at the event, and his passionate voice gave the song a lot of fire and emotion. “It is a momentous occasion that reminds us of the limitless sacrifices of that campaign,” he wrote on social media amid the beauty.
It was very breathtaking. And King Charles III and Queen Camilla greeted the twenty-three D-Day veterans in attendance. A military piper played on Gold Beach earlier in the day at precisely 7:26 a.m. to signal the start of the commemorations and the beginning of the invasions. Together with Tom Jones’s poignant vocal performance, all of these elements contributed to a powerful ceremony that honored the veterans of the Normandy Landings.
Before the D-Day commemorative ceremony, Tom sang this particular song live and brought many to tears in the audience. In 2022, he spontaneously performed “I Won’t Crumble When You Fall” during an episode of The Voice UK, in response to numerous enthusiastic requests from the audience. Tom’s strong voice reverberated throughout the room as he performed, bringing fellow judge and vocalist Anne-Marie to tears with only the piano providing accompaniment.
Leave a Reply