Just Like the Ones I Used to Know

Comments (0) By Amber Taufen Thursday, Dec 9 2010

Khyentse James, organizer of tonight’s 1940s White Christmas Ball, grew up with the sort of holiday memories that inspire classic novels. “My grandmother was on the radio in the ’40s,” she explains. “And every Christmas, she had a big party at her house, and it was amazing.” Recollections of the food, lights and songs sung around the piano never left James, and after creating the spectacularly successful summertime 1940s Ball at the Boulder Airport, she decided the time was ripe to bring the ’40s into the holidays.

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Highlights include a Bing Crosby tribute artist, who will perform with Andrews Sisters tributees Reveille 3; a twelve-piece orchestra playing ’40s tunes for dancing (swing-dance lessons are offered from 7 to 8 p.m.); roasted chestnuts, rum cake and holiday cocktails; a glass blower creating glass ornaments; and aerialist Brandy Dew, who’ll be taking full advantage of the Balch Fieldhouse’s forty-foot ceiling to showcase her sky-high burlesque skills. The entire fieldhouse will be transformed into a movie set — White Christmas, naturally — complete with falling snow, sleighs, Christmas trees, WWII-era vehicles, military reenactors and a canopy of lights.

The 1940s White Christmas Ball starts at 7 p.m. at Balch Fieldhouse on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus; admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door, with a $5 discount for seniors. Get more information at www.1940sball.org.
Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., 2010