Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-29
"EGYPT|AN' GAYETY
RE|GNS OVER BALL
Annual Arts Club Fancy
Dress Affair Draws 1000
Merrymakers.

Capital social life at the Willard Hotel
last night when the Arts Club of Wash
lngton gave its annual costume ball.
With nearly 1000 persons in the gayest
Of costumes. gayest of spirits and in a
setting suited to the humor of the COM
Dany. the ball will do down as being the
most complete fancy dress affair seen
here in years.
The Minister of Egypt and Nine
Samy sat enthroned in the box of honor.
which occupied the center of the side
wall, and were delighted and amused
at the American viewpoint of Egyptian
art, though some Of the really artistic
features were secured through the
courtesy of the Minister. Also lending
distinction to the ball were the Minister
of Persia. Mira Davoud Phan Neftah,
and the Minister of Panama and Sonora
de Alfaro, as well as representatives
from the Turkish embassy and other
embassies and legations.
There was a revel in the streets Of
Cairo of diplomats Senators and Rep
reSentatives in Congress and other Of
flcials and many society folk. But, Of
course, the artists of Washington and
members of the Arts Club lent the chief
charm. furnishing the real atmosphere
for the party.
Egyptian Setting for the Ball.
The ballroom setting gave rosy glow
to an Egyptian street, the boxes and
lighting carrying out the idea. while the
Caliph, Dr. Frederick v. Coville, in
gorgeous raiment formed the center of
attraction in the Egyptian Temple at the
far end of the ballroom, the pillared
edifce with It's lofty entrance showing
divans, hangings. low tables filled with
brass and copper ,receptacleS for use
and ornament and over all weird blue
and rose color light.
Guests were greeted on the ballroom
floor with bit of desert life, presided
over by L. M LeiSenring. with a snake
charmer. dancer, a camel which later
did overtime on the ballroom floor, and
many interesting features within the
tent that added to the comfort of
guests.
Programs were dispensed with and
guests were kept wondering as to the
features to occupy the main street.
Perhaps aside from genuinely artistic
value, the American group doing tour
OF, Cairo. furnished the most laughs
Seeing ourselves as others see us--in
Egypt-was the snappy feature pre-
sented by the faculty and students of
the Abbot School, and with field
SloSoco' AuBSaSc Va cFcty AlilO, CoSIuHiCu
for either mountain climbing or attend
ing grand opera, the entire skit. was
one Of the best presented.
The grand caliph arrived at IL
o'clock-Dr. Coyille, president of the
Arts Club. heralded by trumpeterS in
Egyptian costumes Of black and white,
and blowing their long silver trumpetS,
made way for him down the ballroom,
six royal runners preceding him. The
dignitarieS of the court in grand attire
were in procession, as were street fol-
lowers Of every kind. The lone camel
made his debut and carried precious
freight, not only for the opening scene,
but for the greater part Of the evening,
many whimsical guests enjoying, the
fun. The lusty 20 wa, o wa" furnished
agreeable noise and atmosphere.
Costumes Judged.
The judges awarded the first prize,
that for the most beautiful costumes, to
John A. Detweiler, who was dressed as
Ramesis, In a gayly decorated panel
like gown and gold headdress like q
halo about his head and outlined his
figure to below the knees. His COM
panion was Miss Mary Scaife, who wore
an authentic Egyptian costume Of much
beauty. "F&
The second prize was given to
Sonora de Prieto, wife of the military
attache Of the Cuban embassy, as hav-
ing the most interesting costume. It
was of gold cloth, made with trousers,
full at the hips and tight about the
ankles, a tight-fitting, coatlike, sleeve
less bodice which had peplum cut
circular and wired to stand out from
the body. The whole was embroidered
in gayly colored stones which formed
H., TO-
keeping with the Egypt of that period.
duction of her own costume.
The third prize was awarded to Miss
Margaret Russell Roller as being the
most amusing. She appeared as "tele-
phone" doll, her bouffant skirt of flesh
color satin edged with lace and having
pannierS of pale blue satin, also edged
with lace. Her bodice was tight fitting
and had a vest of lace through which
Miss Roller looked and breathed and
spoke. The snow-white neck, shoulders
and the dainty head topped with a
powdered wig perched where Miss Rol-
ler's hat should have been Her COM
panion was F., G. Grass, who walked be-
tween the pages OF giant telephone
directly and constantly rang the tele-
phone bell.
Among the unusual costumes were
those of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Thiss,
he dressed in white, with South
African hat, and she appearing as a
mummy. She was bound in natural
color burlap, her face bound in white,
and her case was of the burlap and
labeled on the back Prof. G. A.
Reiser's Harvard Exposition" Last
Winter Mrs. Thiss won a prize by her
costume Of "A Bride and Bridegroom %
Mr.. Thiss was the minister last year.
Sonora de Alafaro, wife of the Min
lister OF Panama, wore charming cos
tune OF white made in flounceS and
over hoops. Each fiounce had a narrow
band of embroidery in black and was
edged with a narrow ruffle of white
The tight-fitting bodice had dropped
shoulders and tiny little short sleeves,
with several narrow ruff1eS. each edged
with threads of black. On her head she
had two narrow bands, which held large
clusters Of forget-me-nots over each
ear.
Capt. Frank Mccarthy, u. S. A., ap-
peared as an Egyptian beggar. with
greenish-black burlap hung from one
shoulder, large bulky bundle in burlap
hung from the other shoulder and an
old, generous-brimmed soft hat was
pulled down over one eye and ear, and
NAAo ShhA W a. q NoLA uild oWdILIly LGO.
He carried tambourine in which to
drop the coin extracted by his begging.
odd Crow" was there in brown jug
and his name painted on a white label
across one side. The neck and stopper
OF the jug covered the head Of Robert
Fleming.
Box Parties Added Luster.
DR.. and Mrs. Coville entertained in
their QaHrafQru nf
Mrs. Jardine, Mrs. Anne Archbold. Mr..
and Mrs. Francis Walker and others.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry j. Staley had in
their box Representative and Mrs. Fred
s. Purnell of Indiana. Representative
and Mrs. David H. Kincheloe of Ken
lucky. Representative and Mrs. Carl r.
Chindblom of Illinois and Represent