Octavia’s Evening Ball
Octavia’s Evening Ball is Friday’s formal event for all ages! Prepare for a decadent evening of cosplay, music, and dance with a flair of Dark Academia. We look forward to seeing everyone dressed to the nines! This is a highly attended event. We cannot guarantee all will be admitted.
Dance Lessons
Dance Lessons provided prior to the event by ballroom dancer, Diana Hong. Formal dress is not required for the Dance Lessons.
Diana Hong is a ballroom dance geek from the DC area who has taught for 11 years at various venues – the Upper Main Line YMCA, Zenkaikon 2014 -2022, AnimeNext in 2018-2019, and Katsucon since 2013. She owned Dance Muse Studio in PA until 2012 and was the expert judge at the 2012 Dancing with the SMM Stars Gala in Drexel Hill, PA. Prior to 2009, Diana competed Pro-Am actively on the Arthur Murray circuit, winning Top Lady awards in Bronze in regional events. A rabid manga and anime fan, Diana likes shoujo and josei genres, usually with a school life or fantasy twist.
Dress Code
As with any formal event, there is a dress code and some expected decorum. Since this event’s main feature is music and dance, attendees should be sure to wear attire that they can move comfortably in. Although the dress code will allow admittance to Octavia’s Evening Ball, not all forms of dress are appropriate.
Attendees should not wear costume pieces or shoes that can easily come off. No props are allowed. Actual costume is not required, but the dress code must be adhered to.
Allowed “Womenswear”:
- Formal Costumes *
- Prom dresses*
- Formal gowns*
- Lolita (EGL/EGA)*
- Cocktail Dresses*
- Formal Separates
- Kimono and Cheongsam
- Dress Uniforms
- Formal Medieval/Renaissance/Period Attire
*All dresses/skirts should be approximately knee length or longer
Appropriate Footwear:
- Heels
- Dress Flats
- Formal and Period Boots
- Geta and Zori (only with appropriate Asian formal attire)
- Men’s Dress Shoes
Allowed “Menswear”:
- Formal Costumes
- Suits
- Tuxedos
- Oji Lolita
- Kimono
- Dress Uniforms
- Kilts (with appropriate additional attire)
- Formal Medieval/Renaissance/Period Attire
- At the least, a dress shirt, tie, slacks
In general, clothing should be modest, not skin tight, and not reveal a large amount of skin. It should also not drag on the floor with a long train. Think of what a person or character might wear to a formal event like a wedding or prom. Crossplay is welcome as long as the attire is appropriate for the character being portrayed. Accessories like top hats, canes, or hand fans are welcome.
Not Allowed
- Formal Wear that drags on the floor (examples: trains, ribbons, etc)
- Wings, armor, or other attachments that extend off the body
- Jeans
- T-shirts
- Fishnets
- Clothing with chains, straps, or buckles
- Bare midriffs
- Miniskirts
- Cut-off or shredded clothing
- Sneakers
- Sandals and flip-flops
- Boots with heavy straps and studs that are not formal in nature (examples: Doc Martens and biker boots)
- Props such as, but not limited to swords, axes, cudgels, and sporting equipment
- Other casual attire
