The “Beaux Arts Ball” is part of a “Night Clubs” sponsored by the Athletic Association that are periodically held during the year[1]. The first Beaux Arts Ball was held during the Halloween weekend in Winchester Hall Auditorium. The first reference of the Ball could be found on the November 9, 1928 Blue & Grey newspaper. As part of the celebration, students dressed up in “bizarre and formal costumes”. Throughout the evening, “clever vaudeville acts were given for additional entertainment”. Acts included songs and dance. Although part of a “Night Clubs” event, the “Beaux Arts Ball” is commonly thought of as an annual Halloween celebration. The celebration was typically held at Coblentz Dining Hall and invitation to the event extended to non-Hood students, including the Naval Academy[2] and the Mount students[3]. Over time, the festivities evolved from a costume party with performance to costume contests. The 1975 Beaux Arts Ball celebration included two film showing prior to the ball. Additionally, sponsorship changed from the Athletic Association to the Renaissance (70s) to the Black Student Union (present day). The Beaux Arts Ball was very popular in the 70s and 80s.
Costume contest awards goes to the “prettiest”, “cutest”, “cutest couple”, “scariest”, “best look-a-like” “most obnoxious”, “most traditional”, “funniest”, “most original”, and “group” costumes winners[4]. In the 70s, fundraisers were held to fund prizes. Today, the closest celebration to the Beaux Arts Ball is “Fright Night”. Fright Night hosts a variety of Halloween activities, including costume contests.
[1] Blue & Grey, November 8, 1929
[2] Blue & Grey, November 5, 1981
[3] Blue & Grey, November 3, 1977
[4] http://www.theblueandgrey.com/index.php/2011/10/29/from-the-archives-3/ 1984
