Weekend of Balls

One of the more opulent Oxford traditions is that of the commemoration ball. Hosted by the larger colleges on a triennial basis, commemoration balls are generally white-tie affairs featuring performances, games, food, and drink all night long. This year, Sabine and I made it to St. John’s Ball to find a lavish array of activities. In addition to the performances and refreshments, there were a variety of carnival games (including mini-golf!) and the chance to spy some fireworks being set off at a nearby college.

As our warm-down on Saturday, we attended the St. Cross Summer Ball, a black-tie affair at Wolfson’s de facto sister college. It was also lots of fun, and predictably overrun by rowing club comrades.

First, a few photos from the St. John’s Ball:

Finally, from the photo booth at the St. Cross Ball:

Update: We went on to attend the final ball of 2014, Wolfson College’s own “A Celestial Night” on 6 December. Joined by our Wolfson comrades, with the college decked out in its finest winter space-themed finery, and photographed by the unsurpassed Phill Brown, we partied the night away: