The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26
ALL READY FOR The KIRMUSS.
The Great Event Promises 10 b a Social
and a FINANCIAL Success.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF lHE FEATURES
The German TabIcaux To be One OF the
Special Attractions The First Fer
Torrance Tomorrow VIII be Wit
messed by "a Brilliant Asscmbiage.

on the tiptoe Of expectation over the
brilliant event which VIII take place at
the Academy OF Music. in this city, on
January 9th. 2sth. 21tis and Scth-the
kirmess-a reproduction Of the costumes
and dances OF all hauons.
The klrmess viii be the grandcst So
cial and fashionable event, and the most
beautiful spectacular production ever wit
messed in Richmond Gorgeous scenery
and decorations viii be used on this oc-
CASTOR. and the costumes will be among
the most elegant ever exhibited in a
Southern State. stage decorations and
costumes VIII combine TO make scene
of dazzling spiendor, a fitting setting for
the graceful and lovely dancers.
The approaching Kirmcss has been the
theme of conversation for some weeks
past. and during this time, Mr.. a. ).
Macdonneil. the experienced director has
been busily engaged in drilling those VINO
are to take part IN the great event untii
now they have attained almost 10
state OF perfection
On the nights while this beautiful con-
ception holds the boards. the lights will
be increased untN Che Academy VIII be
"A scene of dazzling b:illiancy. reflected III
the gems and spaucles OF tie lovely cos
tunes Of the dancers.
4 GRAND TABLEAU.
Each performance will open with
grand tableau Of the nations. and a
procession. led by the Queen Of the kir-
mess Miss Bessie Martin. and twenty
four Egyptian attendants. followed by
the Representatives q Japan, Germany.
Spain England. Ireland. Scotland. France
Italy Russia. sweden, and America.
The Kirmess is not like many spec
tacular productions. a meaningless con-
glorneration Of glitter and tinsel. but Is
produced with an accuracy Of costume and
custom. and "a natural harmony and grace
which lend 1t a genuine and enduring
value. 1t is review Of the national
festivities Of all countries, properly
staged, and accompanied by appropriate
music.
Tho lovely rnaidens Of the Nile nur-
,ured bv the atmosphere which breathes
Of the Pyramids who bend adoring knees
10 Isis and osiris. and chant the uadi-
lions which have come down IRON fd-
rneses. the Great. the fairer daughters
of Greece arrayed IN The costumes once
worn bv the noble women who bore
snartan warriors and Athenan orators
the sterner beauty OF the North, Where
the rays OF the sun beat with tempered
force the brown beauty OF the malaens
of CASTLE and The Wild LOCKS ana sun
tanned cheeks OF tho 6wellers IN the
scented 10 the gaze OF the spectator III
one sparkling panorama of the nations.
The Harmony Of coiors and costumes
Tho airy grace Of the lovely dancers
and the soft. sweet strains Of the accom-
panyjng music. vvin all conspire to rem
der the Kilness q perfect dream Oh
Elysium. ..,
ORIGIN OF THE KlRMESS.
In STUDYING the source OF this delight
full Congress OF Nations. IT Is fouhd
that II Is of German origin. and was an
ancient custom. The original "oru wa
Kirch-fest or Festival Of the Church.
and was corrupted with kirch-mass'
whence comes the word kirmess. TINS
festival was given with especial rejoic-
ing al the completion of any sacred edi-
flee. and on these festive occasions the
peasants would come from the diHerent
cantons i'm various costumes. represent
ing different nations. on such occasions
there was always great rivalry between
them 10 see whose costumes should DC
the handsomesi ,,
The kirch-mass was usually neid III ihe
autumn. when songs of rejoicing and
hvmns OF THANKSGIVING over hountful
harvests were raised. and the festivities
were events OF great Importance.
Thus comes the present kirmess from
GOOD old ancestry. and Richmond's people
will see presented true 10 the HE. Inc
nrincjpal nations will be represented by
handsome young men and lovely girls.
each CARRIED in the typical custom OF the
country which they represent Greece
will tread upon the heels OF the VITA
West. and the Bohemians Will march ne
hind the dwellers beside the placid wa
tiers OF the Nile, while the warm-blooded
daughters of Andalusia and CASTLE VIII
- N
of the native of the Land OF the Mid
night sun.
WE'LL WORTH SEEING.
Those who have been so fortunate as to
witness the Kirmess say that 1t Is worth
travelling many miles TO see, and there
is no doubt that the Academy of Music
will be filled TO OVERLOOKING on each and
every one OF the four nights That the bril-
liant production is presented.
one VINO has not seen II can imagine IN
advance the dreamy loneliness OF the
scene on every side brilliant gems flash
inc back the rays from numberless lights
and I'm the midst of all lovely female
forms moving with rhythmic grace
"To brisk notes In cadence beating,
Glance their many twinkiine feet
The Kirmess is comparatively a new
thing IN the South. but from every city
in which II has been presented comes the
highest praise and appreciation.
While the work OF those who have beon
rehea,s!ng faithfully during the past
weeks has been hard. yet the charm OF
the beautiful dances and the delights OF
social intercourse have made the period OF
rehearsal very attractive 10 the partici-
pants and all have taken the deepest
interest IN the entertainment The pub
lie. too. has shown a lively interest III the
preparations. and anticipation OF pleasure
in the production OF the kirmess Is up 10
the highest point The most fitting de-
scription OF the Kirmess can be given in
one BRIEF sentence. IL Is grand triumph
of youth and beauty.
THE LAST REHEARSAL.
Last night grand rehearsal of the
entire Kirmess was held at the Armory.
and Director mcdonnell, expressed him
self as greatly pleased al the results.
The Academy Of Music viii be decorated
with a profusion OF national colors by
Mittledorfer. and will be opened to the
inspection Of the public on Tuesday morn
ing.
At the matinee on Tuesday, the price
OF general admission tickets down stairs
will be fifty cents. and reserved seats
seventy-flvc cents. Upstairs reserved
seats will be nifty cents and general adj
mission twenty-five cents
The Nile Worships and the Sphinx
dancers viii meet al the Academy
promptly at noon tomorrow for rehearsal
The Greek dances will be rehcarsed on
Tuesday.
When the curtain rises tomorrow night
the grand tableau will be seen IN all of
its dazzling splendor. Each nation will
be upon the stage and IN the grand pro-
cession Will pass before the footlights.