Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-26

about fMn "klrmterf WIZ ''''
to 500 the erand spectacle IN all us so'-
geousness and beauty.
The proIuc.s ~ New YORK ana o'n''
i.,... cities have been called on 20 make
~ tnc former. but Richmond Is f"iiy
...,tfo OF making it the latter, when
o,,~ NJ hundred OF her faircst daughters
em be seen in the mazes OF the dance
Baltimore may have 10 furnish the cal
-,.,,,,. liebts. and New York the costumes
hat yircinas capital could furnish htty
Harnesses with dancers, and then have
,rouch girls left TO set zap beauty
show rag would eclipse the Worlds
y,fr exhibition Of feminine loveliness.
~ course. there viii be men In tho en-
tertalument. but they are mere aojuncts'
mole useful than ornamental. yet quite
essential 20 the success Of the production.
But who would delgn TO notice group
OF men. I'm whatever costume they may
be. when there. fitting hither and thither
10 the bright strains OF music, are beVy
OF cirls. every one OF them a true south
cru beauty. whose charms are but en-
HANGED by the gay attire or the Spanish
dancing-glrl or the chnging folds OF the
Grcc.an dress.
A DAZZLING SPECTACLE.
The city OF Richmond has seen in her
time many dazzling spectacies. The most
brilliant balls. the most artistic tab.etuN'
The finest theatricals She has seen. pul
oever until this coming week has she
cooked upon q Khmess-or. rather, upon
the Kirmess. for the Krmcss which Mr..
mcdonnell directs. and upon when ne
mas a copyright Is the one ana only en-
tertainment OF its Kind which has been
Or can be given in this country. In the
various large cities where 10 has peen
presented Il has created perfect Juror
OF enthusiasm. for 81 has been reveal
ton Of all that IS most pleasing 10 eye
and ear.
What is the Kirmess? That is the ques-
ton which every one SIS asking. What
the derivation of the word is Is % small
Importance TO the public at large, for
like many other words. its meaning has
undergone many changes. What its pres
cut meaning is is what the people would
like 90 know. and that question VIII be
most fully and entrancingy answered ON
Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. and
Thursday nights. at the Mozart Academy
n Music
For the benefit Of the hundreds who
IRE asking the question so eagerly, that IL
fwer. be IL known that the word Kirmess
means beauty. grace color, light, motion,
ufe music poetry.
FOR an OF these and more. the magic
word 'kirmess" stands to-day.
FORMER EFFORTS ECLIPSED.
The announcement THAI the Association
for the Preservation Of Virginia Antqui-
ties IS going 10 give an entertainment or
any kind invariably meets with en-
thuslasm, for 50 dear 10 the hearts OF all
true lovers Of Virginia is the work Of
this noble and popular association that
al It's first call for help I'm undertaking
any enterprise many willing hands are
held out 20 IL. ana the result is brilliant
success.
OF all the superb entertainments given
under the auspices Of the Association for
the Preservation Of Virginia Antiquities,
there has not been one which has failed
10 meet with the most unreserved and en-
thusiastic applause.
IN the Kirmess the association has rail-
lied fits forces for a grand master-stroke.
by which all former efforts viii be far
outshone.
IL IS a well-knOwn fact that when Rich
mond's fair daughters and brave sons
appear before the footlights the loyal
capital of the Old Dominion may always
be relied upon TO be there 10 see. But
such galaxy of native beauty as will
be seen at the Academy Of Music this
week even Richmond never dreamed OF
before More than 200 of the most beau
tiful. graceful and charming Of Rich
mond's young people In one magnificent
fste. where all nations will be represent
cd and seen from the most enchanting
point Of viewl
CHARACTERS IN THE KIRMESS.
The dances and tableaux VIII follow upon
zach other IN brilliant and Kaleidoscope
variety. Miss Bessie Martin, as Queen
OF the Kirmess. will lead the trumphal
procession Of the nations; Misses May
Handy as Virginia, Annie Mcclure as
Columbia. and Lucy Wormeley as Diana,
will make pictures, the lOveliness OF
which. once seen, will never be forgot
ten.
Tho Nile-worshippers. waving their
wands Of pampas-grass in time TO slow
music; the bright and vivaciOus Japs.
with their funny little parasols and fans;
the jolly North Country German har-
Nes.ors. In their wooden shoes; the fam
tastc gypsies shaking their tambOurines;
the graceful Spaniards. with their cast-
nets; the picturesque HighlandersI IN
their bright plaids; the merry English
lads and lassIes, in May-Day array;
lovely Grecian nymphs. IN classic robes
claahing gAtterng cymbals in time 20
their rhythmic steps; gay Swedish peas
ants, In holiday attire, tripping the light
fantastic toe TO rollcking music court
ladies OF the olden time. treading the
stately minuet, and Indian warriors, with
their tomahawks and war-whoops, 20. low
zach other In bowidering and delightful
succession
Miss Irma Rosenbaum and Mr.. Joseph
y. Myers viii make an ideal Emperor and
Empress Of Japan. Miss Hunter Fergus
son makes an attractive gypsy queen.
a pretty feature OF the Kirmess viii be
the rainbow dance by Miss Mary Hayes
which was taught for this occasion bv
Miss Mary Thaw. Miss Nina Randolph
VIII make a charming Indian princess.
\ VARIED PROGRAMME.
While a few Of the most beauufui
features OF the Kirmess viii be repeated
each night. there Will be great variety iu
the programme. for 1t would be entirely
impossible TO present all Of the dances.
or anything Ike all Of them, during one
evening. The jefferson orchestra has
been engaged for the Kirmegs. an Of
tho dancers in the kirmess Will b. adj
United free of charge TO al Of the per-
iornances. aud the chaperons at very
much reduced rates. The costumes for
Tho kirmess are probably the most beau
utm ever seen In Richmond. Many Of
chem have been obtained at great cx-
rense from Eaves, the well-known COS
tuner OF New York.
Among the most beautiful features Of
the hrmcss will be the series Of Egyptian
ttbleaux. and the Grccian fete. ana
strand entry OF Greek procession, and
'ymDal dancers. The dance Of Indian
warriors, impersonated BY twelve OF the