Next Fundraiser For Mary Hawley Society Hopes To Evoke The Victorian Era

By Shannon Hicks

Three Sandy Hook residents have decided to help The Mary Hawley Society in its endeavor to update the third floor gathering room, its performing area, and adjacent kitchen. With that in mind, Newtown’s Fezziwig Holiday Ball is being planned for Saturday, December 14, in The Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall.

Tickets for the event, which will run from 6 to 11 pm, are $55 per person or $100 per couple for reservations received by December 5. Reservation requests received after December 5 will be subject to availability, with a price increase to $65 per person and $120 per couple.

Tickets and admission cover a feast of Victorian fare with carving table, and an open bar with beer and wine.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to The Mary Hawley Society to support the restoration of the Alexandria Room’s kitchen. Established as a fundraising tool with a mission to also raise awareness of The Alexandria Room and the renewed possibilities of hosting receptions, parties, and endless galas, The Mary Hawley Society was formed just a few months ago.

The celebration is open to “all who wish to share in the holiday spirit,” say organizers, and costumes are strongly encouraged.

“This ball is an attempt to celebrate an era captured in the writing of Charles Dickens and celebrated as the eternal holiday epoch,” organizers posted on their website, NewtownFezziwig.com. “In an effort to be true to the Victorian theme of this party we request that all guests wear some attire consistent with the fashion from the mid to late 1800s — the heyday of Dickens’ career.

“In the true spirit of the benevolent Fezziwig all are welcome,” the notice continues. “Dress as aristocrat, barkeep, soldier or chimneysweep.”

Dressing for the occasion does not have to cost a fortune. Buy, rent, or fabricate from secondhand stores or your closet, urge organizers. A simple vest, white shirt, and kerchief will suffice for men, and an old prom or bridesmaid dress will work for women. Modern evening dress is also an acceptable substitute for period costume.

“We are all excited to be in costume, but we’d rather have people come, fill up the room, and make the party a success than insist that everyone wear costumes,” said Ben Toby, one of the event’s organizers.

The Newtown Fezziwig Ball is loosely based on childhood memories of Mr Toby, who said he remembers “growing up and going to these Victorian-themed events, including Mr Fezziwig’s Balls, where people dressed up, and music was playing, and it was all very magical. Even though I was a little kid, it was something that struck me as a fun thing to do.”

Mr Toby and fellow residents Natalie and Rob Kaiser are hoping to put together an event that will recall some of his childhood memories, and perhaps turn into something that Newtown residents will also enjoy.

“When I moved to Newtown from Los Angeles with my family four years ago, I was struck by the beauty of Newtown and the surrounding area, in comparison with the modern sprawl I had lived with for 15 years in California,” Mr Toby said this week. “Especially during the weeks leading up to Christmas, our town takes on a radiant glow, which for me emanates from the town center on Main Street, out to the residential neighborhoods, each with their holiday decorations, and so many of the fine looking residences with long colorful history.

“I have gone caroling on Main Street every holiday season since we moved here, and always had a desire to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of New England at this time of year,” he continued. “This Victorian holiday ball is for me the fulfillment of that desire.”

“We had been talking amongst ourselves about doing a Fezziwig’s event and it was actually while we were looking for a place to do our party that we learned about the Mary Hawley Society,” he continued. Natalie Kaiser was talking with someone at the town hall about renting the Alexandria Room, he said, and the town hall representative had suggested that if the group were doing a fundraiser and had not yet decided who to share the evening’s proceeds with, the recently formed group may be the perfect fit.

Music will be performed by The Reel Thing, a four-member western Connecticut-based musical group that specializes in contra dances; live, costumed, authentic 18th Century colonial dances and concerts; traditional dance workshops for children and adults; and family or community “barn” dances. The band is made up of experienced, professional musicians who have a passion for folk music, dancing, and performing.

The four-member band consists of Bill Campbell of Newtown, who performs on guitar and bass guitar; Julie Sorcek, Bethel, on flute, piccolo, saxophone, and bodhran; Fran Hendrickson, from Danbury (and formerly of Newtown), on piano, keyboard, and accordion; and Gwen Glasser, New Fairfield, on fiddle, guitar, and piano.

Dance leader and consultant Patricia Campbell will be the caller for the evening. Mrs Campbell is a member of The Country Dance and Song Society of America, performs at the annual NOMAD (Northeast Music, Art and Dance) Festival and has served on the festival’s program committee for a number of years, and is married to Reel Thing guitarist Bill Campbell.

“About a year ago Rob found out about Patricia, who leads these kinds of things, and they’ve been talking about this event ever since,” said Mr Toby. “She’ll get out there and teach you how to do these period dances, which takes the edge off not knowing what to do, and makes it easier for everyone to participate, and a lot of fun.”

Reservations are requested as soon as possible and can be e-mailed to RSVP@NewtownFezziwig.com, or checks can be made out to Newtown’s Fezziwig Holiday Ball and mailed to Natalie Kaiser, 25 Glen Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482.

“We’re hoping for at least 30 people, and we’re already up to more than 20,” said Mr Toby. “We really just think this will be a nice holiday party.”

For additional information visit NewtownFezziwig.com or send e-mail to RSVP@NewtownFezziwig.com.