The spirit of Hungary soars as palotas dancers, costumed in headpieces and lace and velvet dresses, perform the intricate dance popular at court during the Austro-Hungarian Empire centuries ago. Among those watching with delight are Philip von Habsburg, archduke of Austria and prince of Hungary, with his wife Annie-Claire. Karl was the last emperor of Austria as well as king of Hungary, and his ancestors ruled for 900 years. Change the beat. Paul Chacra's Orchestre 1945 strikes up The Blue Danube, and the enchanting debutantes and their escorts glide through a magnificent waltz, turning and dipping in sync.
Proud parents dab at tears and pledge all successive generations to dance lessons.
Ball chairman Christine Nagy and her husband, Joseph, open the dancing. Hundreds step out to waltz, tango, cha-cha and polka. This is the Hungarian Ball, after all, and almost everyone knows what they're doing in the ballroom department. Tottered over to the csarda, the lively Hungarian pub where the Bogajewicz Quartet recklessly plays gypsy violin music. Guests, many born in Europe, dance with abandon, as if they were back in the old country.