I am ecstatic about our 18th-century Chevalier event happening this October 5th! Inspired by the life of Jospeh Bologne (the Chevalier des Saint Georges) this event is titled: Salon at Palais Royal.

For those planning to attend, or who are interested in Joseph Bologne, please read on for details. The information and links below will make your event all the better, and acquaint you with the man behind the name. The two sections below cover The Event, and The Man.

Why Palais-Royal? It is significant as the name of the palace in Paris where Joseph Bologne conducted Le Concert Olympique and also where Bologne later resided when he began his anti-slavery work as an abolitionist. Why “Salon”? Historically, salons were private social gatherings, most often hosted by women, where a mixture of guests discussed art, literature, music, philosophy, and politics. At a salon guests would mingle and talk in small groups, hearing different views from varied levels of society and encountering new and sometimes radical, ideas. There could be dancing, short acted dramas, intellectual debates, and card/ parlor games. Which is exactly what we will have.

The Event

Salon at Palais Royal weekend event begins on Friday, October 4 with happy hour at Cortina at 5pm, then a private dinner at Cortina in Seattle from 6pm – 8pm. The private dinner dress code is – do what you will! (Yes, you can dress historically or you can dress casual, the goal is to hang out together over drinks and food). You can buy tickets for the private dinner or make a reservation at Cortina on your own as space allows.

On Saturday, October 5 ticket holders will meet at the Women’s University Club for the Afternoon Lectures and Demonstrations. Doors open at 12:30pm. From 1pm to 4pm attendees will be treated to a lecture on Joseph Bologne by Dr. Bianca Dang, a lecture on Louis-Julien Clarchies by Susan de Guardiola, a class on historical games by Agnes Gawne, a swordplay demonstration by Jenn Bahrs and Jason Ellis, and lastly a short dance class by Charlene Kern.

The doors for the main event, the Salon at Palais Royal, will open for ticket holders (in attire appropriate to 1779-1799) at 6:30pm at the Women’s University Club in downtown Seattle. When you enter you’ll begin at the check in desk to receive your program. Then enjoy a glass of something refreshing, take photos with our two photographers, and socialize in the beautiful Georgian Revival atmosphere.

At 8pm there will be a concert of Bologne’s Sonatas by classical violinist Selina Siow.

Then from 8:30pm to 10:30pm you can enjoy dancing in the ballroom, relaxing and embroidering in the drawing room, having a portrait taken in the library, socializing and playing historical games in the Gold Room, or sampling the hors d’oeuvres in the dining room. The cash bar will be open during this time as well.

At 10:30pm we will have a few announcements in the ballroom and say au revior. Doors close at 11pm.

So this event can be enjoyed fully by all attendees we ask that the following courtesies be shown:

• Refrain from wearing scented products to show regard for those with chemical sensitivities (no perfumes, please) Read more on fragrance-free events here
• In the ballroom please keep your conversations quiet so the dancers can hear the caller give instructions
• All dancers should wear soft-soled shoes that are secure on the foot (no mules)

The full 18th-century dance program list, from which Salon at Palais Royal dances will be chosen, is:

• An Adventure at Margate
• Chevalier Rondo
• Dover Cliffs
• Gentlemen’s Pleasure
• La Nouvelle Anglaise (The New English Lady)
• Le Billet Doux (The Love Letter)
• Madame Cordé’s Frolic
• Miss Dolland’s Delight
• Ruffs and Rhees
• The Contending Parsons
• The Cotery
• The Spaniard

For those interested in reviewing dance steps ahead of time, you may view the videos for The Spaniard, Madame Corde’s Frolic and The Cotery, three dances on our dance program list.

By attending this event you are agreeing to abide by Costumers of Color policies for behavior and code of conduct outlined on this page. Consequences for policy violations as well as our grievance policy are also described on that page.

The Man

TL;DR is that Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, born on the island of Guadeloupe in the West Indies, became one of the most important French Classical composers, writing numerous operas, string quartets, and sinfonias concertantes. Saint-Georges was also the greatest French violin virtuoso of his generation. Though known as “The Black Mozart,” it was his music that influenced the younger Wolfgang.

There are many videos on Bologne on YouTube but this one by Babatunde, the HipHopera Guy, is my favorite — Who is Joseph Bologne? There is also this documentary you can watch in addition to the Hollywood film.

For a lovely immersion into Bologne’s music, check out this Spotify playlist curated by Cedilla Records

Gabriel Banat’s full-length biography of Joseph Bologne (The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow) is considered to be the most definitive. You can find it in many libraries, and it includes a comprehensive list of Bologne’s compositions.

For musicians, information about modern editions of many of Bologne’s works can be found in the directories of the Music by Black Composers project, which you can find here.

For a longer bio of Jospeh Bologne, start here.

Feel free to email us with any questions at gigi@costumersofcolor.org