Out & About: Fort Ligonier 12th Night gala has air of historical authenticity
The holiday season was officially laid to rest on Saturday evening at Fort Ligonier with the fourth annual Twelfth Night Celebration.
The event offers modern-day revelers a taste of an 18th-century wintertime gala:
Period music by the classically trained Wayward Companions? Check.
English country dancing? Check.
A Twelfth Night fruit-and-nut cake made with Martha Washington’s recipe by Confections by Christina Elizabeth? Check.
The proceedings received an extra air of authenticity with spritzes of Caswell-Massey’s Supernatural VI, courtesy of George Washington portrayer, Dr. Bill Choby. Choby explained that the cologne was the favorite scent of George Washington.
The maker’s website reveals that the woody-citrus fragrance is “the longest continuously manufactured fragrance in America, created in 1772 and exclusively produced from the original formulation in Caswell-Massey’s archives. It features a bright opening of sparkling bergamot, rosemary, and neroli which evolve into a warm, enveloping heart of rose, clove, and golden amber. A complex accord of white musk and premium-harvest lavender provides the perfect finish to the scent.”
John Quincy Adams, Buffalo Bill Cody and George Gershwin also were devotees.
Although period dress was not de rigueur, many guests came attired in their colonial best.
Alatheia Nielsen, a historical costume-maker from Edgewood, was resplendent in a handmade, emerald green robe a la Francaise, a style of gown popular in 18th-century Europe. She noted that the gown was constructed with 13 yards of silk taffeta and 40 yards of trim.
The highlight of the annual party is the English country dancing, which went on despite scheduled dance master Brett Walker being unable to attend due to illness. Walker, who teaches lessons at the fort and danced in the Colonial Williamsburg troupe, was replaced by a Mary Fantozzi, who attends Walker’s dance classes at the fort and at Woodville, a historic plantation site in Allegheny County.
As she encouraged folks to step out on the dance floor, Fantozzi said, “If you’ve never danced before, I’ve never called before.”
Julie Donovan, the fort’s director of marketing and public relations, called out, “You’re doing great, Mary!” Dancers responded with a round of applause — and an enthusiastic round of a dance called The First of April.
Seen: Fort Ligonier Director Mary Manges and Director of Education Matt Gault, along with Ray and Tami Meloy, Gary Cramer, Jason and Michelle LaFosse, Bruce and Patti Oldaker, Emily Schuler, Angel Tunstall, Amy Kittka, Bruce Shirey, Cindy Brown, Jeff and Halina Gronsky, Tom and Beverly Ravida, Stephen and Dawn Hart, Leslie and Carmen Rose, Chris Mitchell and Linda McCardle.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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