The San Francisco call., 1909-10-19
MASK[RS TO RfV[L
ALL NIGHT AT BALL
Seats Sell by Thousands for
Great Masquerade in the
Auditorium
Rich Prizes to Be Given Gay
Dancers for Costumes and
Characters

The popularity with which the off1-
cial masquerade ball, which will be
held in the Auditorium, Page and Fill
more streets, Thursday evening, Octo-
ber 81, is meeting, is evidenced by the
immense sale of tickets. OF the 20,o00
tickets issued the major portion have
already been sold. and every one OF the
70 boxes provided for spectators in the
balcony has been reserved There is
now not a single box to be had.
To meet the extra demand, however,
the committee has provided 800 extra
reserved seats. These are located In
the balcony which overiooks the large
space and have been priced at
So each. These extra reserved seats, as
well as the regular admission tickets,
are on sale at Sherman, Clay & Co.'S.
EVERYBODY WELCOME
The masquerade ball at the Audito-
RUM is not an invitational affair, and
everybody is welcome. The advance
sale of tickets presages that the great
est number of people ever attending
similar event in this city will be pres
ent when the opening strains Oh the
grand march are heard in the large
auditorium. monster band of 80
pieces has been engaged to provide the
music for the merry dancers. The
grand march will take place at 10
o'clock, when Don Gaspar de Portola,
arrayed in his courtly uniform, and
bearing on his arm Queen Vergilia,
will lead the thousands of loyal sub
jects.
The grand march will be one of the
most imposing pageants ever passing
in review in the history of the west.
There will be hundreds of gay grisettes
I'm beautiful and eccentric costumes,
haviaS nf htrf in hf1r1 attire
and bewildering horribles in gorgeous
and bizarre costumes in countless num-
bers. The great auditorium will be
decorated in scheme of color and
light such has never been surpassed
in the long history of amusement low
ing California.
The ballroom will simulate a veri-
table fairyland. 1t will be living
mass of red and yellow and brilliant
colors. No expense has been spared in
arranging the decorations. Dancing
will continue throughout the night
with slight intermjssions. and the doors
will not be closed on the merry throng
until 10 o'clock the next morning
During the entire evening refreshments
of all kinds will be served in the
building. John TAFT will have charge
of the refreshments.
The official Portola masquerade ball
is probably one of the most important
social events scheduled for PortoIa
week and second only in magnificence
and grandeur to the Portola bali at the
Fairmont, which precedes it or
Wednesday evening
While a large number of those In
tending to be present at the ball have
arranged for costumes, costumers will
be on hand at the entrance of the Audi
torium with a great quantity of domi-
noes and costumes for those who have
made no provision.
More than $4,000 worth of valuable
prizes. embracing creations wnich are
the acme of the jewelers. art, will be
awarded to those appearing In the most
beautiful and original costumes. These
will be awarded by a committee of
eminent public men. Prizes will be
awarded at IL o'clock midnight. They
will be distributed by Queen Vergilia
and it will not be necessary for the
recipients to unmask nor give their
names in order to receive the prizes
While midnight has been set as the
time at which unmasking will occur
sit is not compulsory that all unmask.
Those desiring to do so may continue
to wear their masks and dominoes
throughout the night.
Every effort will be made to provide
for theNpieasure of the merry throng
of dancers. A committee of AZ will be
in charge of the ball. Edgar A. Miner
will be floor manager and he will be
assisted by the following committees: