Austria is renowned for its prestigious ball evenings where waltz dancing takes place. But failing to go there, enthusiasts created an association to organize Viennese balls in Vienna. The next meeting is in Jaunay-Marigny, near Poitiers, on February 1.
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Sophie Gros and her husband Nicolas have always loved ballroom dancing, tango, rock and especially the waltz from the Vienna balls. So, failing to go to Austria, the couple brought the Vienna of Vienna balls.
I tried to take part in a Viennese ball, but it's a bit complicated to get around and not easy to get places.
Sophie GrosPresident of the association “Le Bal des Poitevines”
Sophie and Nicolas Gros at an association ball
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© Electron Photo Club – Lydia Averty
Sophie Gros is the president of the association “ The Poitevines Ball » : « In Vienna, the ball season begins in November and ends in March with around 450 balls. It's truly an institution for them. It’s really this type of ball that interests me. I tried to take part in a Viennese ball, but it's a bit complicated to get around and not easy to get places. In Paris, there is an association which organizes some Viennese balls in magnificent places. We registered for it, but it fell in the middle of confinement. So, I said to myself, we're going to try to set something up and we created an association to be able to organize this kind of evening. »
Prom evening in Vienna
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© Christian Delberghe
And this is how the association “ The Poitevines Ball » which today has around thirty members. Several events are organized during the year, but immediately, it is the big Viennese Ball which keeps the volunteers busy. Last year, around a hundred dancers from all over France and even Belgium took part.
We have a classical orchestra with violins, cellos, no electric guitars.
Sophie GrosPresident of the “Le Bal des Poitevines” association
This year again, around a hundred people are expected for this evening of February 1 in Jaunay-Marigny, near Poitiers: « The Viennese ball as we understand it and as it still exists in Vienna, it is a ball where waltzes are mainly danced. We have a classical orchestra with violins, cellos, no electric guitars ! There is a dress code which is a long dress for women and black suit for men, there is a good meal and between two courses, there is dancing. We also bring in young classical dancers and lyrical singers who participate in the entertainment of the evening,” adds Sophie Gros.
Around a hundred dancers participated in the Viennese ball in November 2023
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© Christian Delberghe
And it is truly enthusiasts who participate in this type of prestigious evening, because this splendor has a cost : 120 euros for entry. A price that Sophie Gros thus justifies : « You can't have a Viennese ball for 30 euros. The good dinner that goes well has a cost, the room that goes well has a cost and if you want an orchestra of classical musicians, that has a cost. »
Dancers from the association in front of the Château de Dissay, in Vienne, during Heritage Days
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© Electron Photo Club – Lydia Averty
This year, it will be the orchestra “ Breath of Vienna » who will liven up the Viennese ball. These are professional classical musicians, mainly teachers from the Châtellerault conservatory. « The Poitevines Ball » also offers waltz lessons throughout the year and an outdoor ball is also organized during the summer, often in a castle courtyard. That of 2025 will take place on June 28. The association will also perform in the Passage des Cordeliers in Poitiers on January 18 to make itself known to the general public.
