Official programme
1
5:00 PM
H. Mass
The Candlemass Gala will start with H. Mass offered by our Guest of Honour. Of course, H. Mass will be in Latin with readings in English and Dutch.
2
6h00 PM
Walk-in
The doors will officially open at 6:00 PM, leaving plenty of time to socialise before the official start of the event itself.
3
6h15 PM
Official opening
The Candlemass Gala will be opened by the hosts of the occasion! After a short prayer, they will introduce the programme for the Gala.
4
6h30 PM
Introduction to dancing
Aware that not everyone has had the pleasure of learning how to dance with a partner, the Candlemass Gala will open with an introduction to partnered dancing! Everyone will be invited to join in, and learn enough of the basics to dance the night away.
5
7h00 PM
Opening of the Floor
The hosts will open the dance floor, after which the Gentlemen are encouraged to invite a Lady for a dance; especially those whom they haven’t met before!
6
9h00 PM
Closing of the Gala
With a short prayer, the hosts will conclude the Gala, after which the official segment is over!
7
9h05 PM
Start of the Afterparty
However, the night is still young! Those who want, are invited to stay a little longer to enjoy Latin and popular music; of course, all still within reason, given the occasion!
8
10h00 PM
Close of the Afterparty
Alas, all good things come to an end … even our Afterparty! Head home and dream about the Gala.
9
10h30 PM
Doors close
Because even the hosts need to sleep!
Dance at
The Candlemass Gala
The word “Gala” nowadays, has come to refer to a large variety of events. However, The Candlemass Gala aims to provide an ever-so-slightly more classical experience, which for us means one thing: Partnered dance!
While you can (and should) prepare by listening to jazz and swing music (and watching a few tutorials won’t hurt either), we won’t just make you figure everything out by yourself! At the start of The Candlemass Gala, we will have an “Introduction to Dancing with a Partner” where you will learn the basics of dances such as the Quickstep and the English Waltz. Of course, this won’t make you into a Ballroom champion, but it’ll prepare you to dance the night away with friends and strangers. A unique opportunity, in our day and age!
The rest of the evening then, you are encouraged to dance with everyone and anyone! Gentlemen, addressing you directly, please ask our Ladies for a dance, especially if you don’t know whether you can dance well enough. To tell you a secret: this is likely their first time dancing this way as well!
We want to discourage the typical modern practice of just standing in a circle and dancing individually. Pair up and dance together; just like your grandparents did when they were young!
(Sign up here)
Tutorials
Quickstep: basic step
Quickstep: spin turn
English Waltz: basic step
What is the dresscode for
The Candlemass Gala?
A Gala without a dresscode is just a normal party! That’s why we’ve stipulated a rather strict dresscode of the evening. Dressing the part isn’t just something you do for yourself, but for the other guests too: you are a part of the ambience!
(Sign up here)
How should the men dress?
Gentlemen, please dress according to the occasion: preferably a tuxedo (incl. black patent leather Oxfords) or at minimum a full two-piece suit with a bow tie and leather Oxfords. Please, do not wear sneakers and jeans!
How should the women dress?
Ladies, please dress according to the occasion: an ankle-length dress, neither overly form-fitting nor overly revealing. If you are unable to acquire such a dress, then any dress below the knee is acceptable. Please, no trousers or skirts!
Simple jewelry and elbow-length so-called opera gloves are encouraged. Heels are encouraged, but ballet flats are acceptable. NB: Be aware that tall, thin heels may make dancing more challenging and may damage the floor.
Are there any exceptions?
Exceptions are members of the clergy who are requested to wear a cassock, and members of the military who are requested to wear their prescribed mess dress.
Can I be denied entry if I don’t abide by the dresscode?
While we hope everyone will abide by the dresscode, we realise that this is our first attempt at organising a Gala. That means, we won’t be too strict! However, if you just show up in beat-up AirMax, we might have to reconsider 😉
What kind of music will we play at
The Candlemass Gala
If we expect you to dance with a partner (which, to be clear, we do) we can’t get away with just using a Spotify playlist ourselves! That’s why we will have something special, that takes our Gala to the next level: a professional jazz pianist and singer! Her experience in accompanying the exact type of dance that you’ll learn, will help fill the dance floor.
For the after party then, we will show our dedication once more. A DJ playing popular and Latin (salsa etc.) music will make sure everyone has a good time! Of course, being mindful of the lyrics. We are, after all, still faithful Catholics!
(Sign up here)
About the organiser: NCY
(Sign up here)
The Netherlands Catholic Youth is an organisation which, for the past years, has organised nine (!) events for and by young, lay Catholics. During these events, the NCY has aimed to bring together the entirety of the International and Dutch Catholic communities for lectures, meetings and recreation. Beyond that, the NCY manages a Catholic WhatsApp group of 800+ people allowing for events, discussion and requests to be shared to the wider community, connecting the Catholics in the Netherlands.
It is with pride that we present to you our tenth event: The Candlemass Gala!
The Gala will be completely different from all of our previous events. Not only will this be our first event with a ticket price, of which the profit will help ensure our regular events stay free, but it will also provide a completely different atmosphere: no lectures or breakout groups, but dancing and music! Our goal is to bring the NCY community together in a different light, to help us see each other in a new way, and so to forge even closer connections.
(Sign up here)
NCY Utrecht
NCY Den Haag
NCY Maastricht
NCY Amsterdam
NCY x Silent Walk
NCY x Rosary Rally
NCY Nijmegen – Centre
NCY Nijmegen – Casa Nova
NCY Leiden