41st Kaiserball - A swinging start to the New Year – That’s Entertainment

23.02.2010

A night of Austrian waltzing tradition to the soundtrack of the great entertainers awaits at the 41st Kaiserball on 31 December 2010. This year's event, themed That's Entertainment, promises well-loved melodies and toe-tapping rhythms from artists including Frank Sinatra and Robbie Williams. In keeping with tradition, ballgoers will dance their way into the New Year to the strains of the Blue Danube waltz.

On 31 December 2010 the Hofburg Vienna will host the 41st Kaiserball, Vienna‘s most spectacular New Year's Eve ball event. "We are delighted to welcome foreign guests from over 30 different nations, and are pleased that more and more Austrians are also choosing to spend New Year's Eve at our imperial location," says Hofburg Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler.

In line with this year's theme of That's Entertainment, tunes by great entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Liza Minelli and Robbie Williams will provide the musical backdrop for the evening. The opening ceremony and midnight concert will resound to the rhythms of modern and classic showbiz greats, and this year there will be a spectacular stage show with soloists and ballet dancers from leading Austrian companies.

Austrian ball tradition also has a major part to play. The Colloredo Grenadiers will welcome guests at the entrance in line with traditional military ceremonial, the Elmayer dance school debutants committee will open with the traditional Fan Polonaise. The imperial couple Franz Joseph and Sisi will wish guests "Prosit Neujahr" (Happy New Year), while the dulcet tones of the Blue Danube waltz will provide a swinging start to the New Year.

Young people and the young at heart can dance to the disco sounds on offer at the Tanzpalast bei Hof and music from the eight live bands which move between the larger ball rooms. Culinary treats come courtesy of Catering's Best by InterContinental. Guests can choose between a four-course gala dinner or sumptuous buffet. Cocktails are served in specially commissioned Kaiserball champagne flutes which visitors are free to take home as a memento of their evening.

Behind the scenes a 500-strong team will be working away to ensure the ball is a night to remember. Around 200 artists and extras, including soloists from the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper, 50 cloakroom attendants, technicians, security officers and event organisers, and 250 waiters in specially designed uniforms will help to make the Kaiserball a unique experience.

Details of the 2010 Kaiserball
Date: 31 December 2010
Venue: State Rooms, Hofburg Vienna, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna
Admission for dinner guests: 19.30
Admission for ball guests: 22.00
Close: 3.30

Prices
- Ball ticket with gala dinner (including four-course gala dinner, welcome cocktail, drinks,
Champagne at midnight, admission and table reservation) from EUR 430 per person
- Ball ticket with table reservation (including admission, table reservation, glass of sparkling wine and snack from the buffet) from EUR 190 per person
- Ball ticket (including entry and glass of sparkling wine) EUR 140 per person, EUR 60 for students

Information
Regina Macho, Kaiserballorganisation
Mag. (FH) Claudia Lohschmid, Presse
Heldenplatz, 1014 Wien,
T +43 1 5873666 23 oder 37, F +43 1 5356426
E-mail: kaiserball@hofburg.com , c.lohschmid@hofburg.com; www.kaiserball.com