Austrian Gala Ball

It is probably safe to say that gala balls are on a list of endangered species as an event genre. We have seen the German Canadian annual gala ball fall by the way side and wish that someone would resurrect it in a traditional style. The annual Swiss ball is always a success and there is no reason why there cannot be three balls in the German speaking community, if timed somewhat apart from each other. They do not have to be huge as a venue; intimate is well received, as was the latest addition of the Canadian Austrian Society. Held in the conveniently located Delta Chelsea Inn downtown Toronto. 120 paying friends of the society gathered for an evening of old fashioned old world charm.

It started out with a champagne reception in the ample space of the foyer on the ball room level. A piano was played as pleasant background to the tinkling of glasses and the clicking of cameras, as guest arrived, were greeted and settled in to find their friends and acquaintances for a nice chat. It was like a party before the party.

When it was time to go into the Churchill Ballroom and everyone had found their table and chosen their seat on the beautifully dressed tables with the gorgeous centerpiece they were greeted by Master of Ceremonies Herbert Wolf to the 38^th consecutive ball.

The head table

He then introduced the head table: Dr. Alfred Wirth, National Chairman of the Austrian Canadian Council, Mrs. Veronica Wolf, President Lomaver Tours, Christine Meyer, President of the Canadian Austrian Society, and then with some fanfare His Excellency, the Austrian Ambassador to Canada, Mag. Werner Brandstetter and Mrs. Brandstetter entered the room.

Christine Meyer also welcomed the guests and expressed her delight to introduce yet another part of her beautiful country, the Salzkammergut and its amazing landscapes and history, which could be appreciated on the two giant screens that were put up at either end of the ballroom.

In good company

Then the table service commenced while Ken Jones played the piano throughout dinner. The Tomato Bisque was so delicious that many had a second helping. A delicate salad followed before an amazing piece of Alberta Beef was served with delectable accoutrements.

While everyone enjoyed the equally wonderful desert His Excellence Mag. Brandstetter expressed his delight to be there as patron to the ball. He related a few well chosen stories in a charming and humorous way that put everyone into an even better mood.

Russian soprano Helena Holl	Canadian tenor Michael Ciufu

It was after this speech that Doug Zimmermann introduced the next part of the entertainment. He started with a history of the Operetta as an art form for the uninitiated and called out two fabulous singers: Russian soprano Helena Holl and Canadian tenor Michael Ciufu. They delivered with gusto a variety of popular Austrian and Hungarian arias to much applause and were later available for photographs in the foyer with their devoted fans.

And now the ball could start in earnest. Mr. Brandstetter and Christine Meyer danced the first waltz played by Matt Lebar and his band and they were soon joined by anyone who had a partner.

Matt Lebar and his ensemble

Later in the evening the door prize was drawn and the winner was a repeat guest, Heinz Ollesch from Hamilton, who was so happy he nearly did summersaults when his ticket was drawn for the flight and hotel to Vienna. John Raschke, Past President, made the announcements and was assisted in this by Mrs. Brandstetter, Herbert Wolf, Mrs. Wolf, Christine Meyer and Sybille Forster-Rentmeister.

The winner of the draw
Past President John Raschke	Heinz Ollesch (r.), the winner of the draw

Other prizes were to be given to various ticket numbers in the Windsor Room after that. And while the band played for another while the patrons of the ball slowly started to drift away, some with the centre piece that they had won, happy to have been part of a lovely traditional Ball.