Nobody could catch cold by the sea; nobody wanted appetite by the sea; nobody wanted spirits; nobody wanted strength. Sea air was healing, softening, relaxing — fortifying and bracing — seemingly just as was wanted — sometimes one, sometimes the other.

(Sanditon, Jane Austen)

The beneficial effects of the salty sea air and the cool seawater are well known to the ladies of Stichting Réverence. It is June 1819 and the bathing season is imminent. On the fifth of that month the Dutch newspaper “De ‘s Gravenhaagsche Courant” mentions that the sea baths there will be put into operation the same week, as well as its sea bathing carriages and bathhouse. The ladies travelled with a large group to the new seaside resort to benefit from the beneficial effects of the sea. But before the cures can start, we must have a ball.

 

Stichting Réverence opens the bathing season!

Historic ball

Sunday, June 9th, 2019 (Pentecost)

Location: Paviljoen De Witte in Scheveningen
Time: 19.30 till 24.00 uur
Ticket price: € 99,00 p.p.
Dress code: Empire / Regency

On Sunday evening, the 9th of June, the ‘Searoom’ of Paviljoen de Witte will be transformed into a ballroom and the pleasant sea air and the view can be enjoyed on the spacious terrace. The dances will again be led by the British dance teacher Diana Campbell Jewitt. Music ensemble Sospiri Ardente provides the musical accompaniment during the dances. In addition to the music and dance, there will be more entertainment to give everyone a pleasant evening.

“I must beg you not to talk of the sea. It makes me envious and miserable;—I who have never seen it!

(Emma, Jane Austen, 1815)

Are you also eager to travel to the coast; observe the sea as you step across the dance floor?

You can now buy your ticket(s) in our shop!

Tickets include:
• A whole evening of dancing and entertainment in a beautiful house at the seaside
• A warm welcome with coffee/tea and a small sweet delicacy
• Live music by the ensemble Sospiri Ardente
• Dance instructions by British dance instructor Diana Campbell Jewitt
• Several snacks during the evening
• Drinks (soft drinks, beer and wine are freely available during the course of the evening

Dancing experience is not required. However, a few dances will be reserved for the experienced dancers.

Note: Purchased tickets cannot be refunded. When ticket sales prove not to be sufficient Stichting Reverence reserves the right to cancel the activity in question. In this case, the purchase money will be refunded.

Location

Paviljoen De Witte

The ball will take place at ‘Paviljoen de Witte’ te Scheveningen. This pavilion was built in 1826 by King Willem I for his wife, Queen Frederica Louise Wilhelmina. She had poor health and came to Scheveningen for the healthy sea air. She drew and painted a lot in this idyllic spot, with magnificent views of the sea and beach. The pavilion is built and decorated in neoclassical style with many references to sea and sea creatures. It is not for nothing that the pavilion is also called the ‘pearl of Scheveningen’!

Weekend Program

“Oh, yes! I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the sea-air always does good.”7
(Persuasion, Jane Austen, 1817)

To fully enjoy the healing effect of the sea air, a ball will not be enough. That is why, in addition to the ball on Sunday, we organize additional activities this weekend.

Saturday June 8th, 2019
10.30 – 11-30 Guided tour in museum Panorama Mesdag
12.15 – 13.30 Lunch at beach pavilion la Cantina
13.30 – 16.00 Painting workshop on the beach
13.30 – 16.00 Join us on the beach!

Sunday June 9th, 2019
12.30 – 14.15 Dance workshop (sold out)
14.45 – 16.15 Lecture on Regency & Empire fashion
19.30 – 24.00 Historic ball at Pavilion de Witte (sold out)