An UnCon-Eventional Story: Ballare 2019

UnCon-Eventional Stories are event recaps more on the event itself than the experience.

Wonder what the event is like in the field? Check out A Con-Eventional Story: Ballare 2019


Credits to the Château Facebook (Sourcefor the featured image, and the various images seen in this post.

I DO NOT own the rights to any of these photos (If mentioned), ALL rights belong to Château.


Introduction

For those expecting a ball related joke.

…yeah no.

We have Standards here.

…most of the time. 🤔


The FAQ is this?

Ballare 2019 is the 3rd iteration of an absurdly unique ACG themed event, that revolves around the idea of a Ball.

Cosplay, Ball.

I can’t even make this up if I wanted to. 🤔

The dancing kind, no other. 🤔 (Readers, plz behave.)

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

Despite it being a concept that started in 2016, the 2018 iteration was skipped in favor of plans for 2019, which in hindsight, would make for a very good decision in the context of events in 2019. 🤔

For you see.

You’re not dealing with the average Ball anymore. (☞゚ヮ゚)☞


First Contact

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

Announcing the comeback for Ballare on March 15th, the initial plans for it to be on September 21st got pushed back to October 5th instead.

Comment.png
Source.

For those confused by the photo, check the comment section over at the original post here to get your confusion cleared.

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

We first ran into the Château folks over at Season4Otaku, where I recall we stood there dumbfounded whilst internally asking the question, “Wait wtf, there’s such an event? 👀”

I think that was the same place we picked up a badge from Château as well, but it’s not with me at the moment so no pics here.

But in short, the impression was very, intriguing, more than anything.

Certainly an event that’s, tempting to check out for sure. 🤔

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

Of course, they too showed up at AMG-Chan, but this time, with some space for dance practice.


Registration Open Season

Two things that Ballare opened up Registrations for.

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

First up being, of course, a performers audition for the night’s stage shows of, mild spoilers for folks who haven’t seen the other story, mostly singing.

And something about a Whole New World, both figuratively and literally. ._.

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

Next up, is the much anticipated limited time registration for Ballare itself opened on May 17th, as is tradition with the event’s nature.

The 120 buck price tag is enough to scare off most people, but if we’re being brutally honest, this is still more merciful than ticket prices to the KL Majors last year. o.e

But, one is granted access to all sorts of stuff for that event.

Apart from access into the event to dance, and its activities, there’s more to know below.


Lineup Starts Here

Before things get started, there’s one note that’s important to talk on briefly.

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

While most organizers of any event have the right to not put out a post like this, it’s important to reassure attendees that things will be safe.

After all, if all the paperwork’s cleaned up and ready, there’s really nothing to fear by putting out a public assurance like this.

Okay back to the stuff people actually care about, the lineup! (☞゚ヮ゚)☞

Credits to Château for the photos.

Starring, the High Performance acts of,

  • Trident, returning to some Ballare action!
  • William, with sunshine, smiles and a big 🤔 to draw you in!
  • Johan, brings with him a show from a literal Whole New World!
  • Sandra, who shall mesmerize alongside one of the other performers! <Spoilers>

But this being a Ball and all, surely there must be well prepared folks to take attendees for a spin.

A job for none other than the hosts of the evening.

Credits to Château for the photos.

Starring, the following fabulously suited folks from the local scene,

Huh, you could make a TV intro for this segment and it would fit the event. 👀

Now yes, some of you are starting to ask, “WTF was with the permits anyways?”

Announced a little late, but joining the host team for Ballare comes,

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Credits to Château for the photo. Source.

From our neighbors Singapore comes Asta & Mein, as Tamaki and Sogo!

And no, lettuce stop you right there, they’re both ladies, not dudes.

Anyways, event guests aside, now comes everything the attendee needs. 🤔

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Credits to Château for the photo. (Source)

Location? Check in over at HXC Ballroom, by ICC Pudu.

Credits to Château for the photos.

Rules & FAQs in both languages? But of course.

Credits to Château for the photos.

It can’t be stressed enough that this is a formal Ball, a time to bust out all those Jojo Refer-…uh I mean Standards.

So suit up those Formal Wears and Cosplays, or consider renting some suits from Eternal.

For there comes an award for the Best Dressed attendee. 😮

…wait, if it’s a suit that wins, does that make it a Best Suited Award? 🤔

Credits to Château for the photos.

Speaking of Standards, best to not get too touchy for people and belongings. 🤔

This is always important, even for events outside of Ballare. (☞゚ヮ゚)☞

Credits to Château for the photos.

Why not try one’s luck at landing a slot for the Grand March?

Or bring together a partner to getto a Small Gift by the door that needs holding?

Alternatively, there’s time to get some Unlimited Memories for the night, sponsored by the folks over at Cupcat Images.

That’s for photos btw, not PC memory, although some of us would opt for that. 🤔

Credits to Château for the photos.

Also, it’s not a Ball without a playlist of slow smooth sailing tracks, and a Host Dance performance for folks to see in action. 😮

Without having to get dragged along for a wedding dinner.

Credits to Château for the photos.

Lastly, a Schedule for folks to plan for, with a handful of Highlights to round things up for attendees.

OH F-, WE ALMOST FORGOT.

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Credits to Château for the photo. (Source)

That Emcees exist to get things rolling out smoothly. ;-;

Starring, the familiar and absurdly tall Junnie, and the returning to action, Kai, with a surprise comeback is real to serve alongside. :monkaS:


The Good Goods

The Good Goods brings you ALL the best bits an event has to offer!

Please keep in mind this is only for the current iteration of this event, which may or may not repeat for future events.


  • Finest Formality

Ballare is the first event so far that I can honestly describe it as, one of Malaysia’s more interesting events that’s a must to check out.

The very idea of a Cosplay themed Dance Ball is one thing, but to do it at least 3 times shows that, it works, to some degree.

And it’s this kind of fancy event that helps add flavor, to the kind of events that can sort of help grow the ACG scene to some degree.

I had a conversation once with someone, who shared with me how overseas countries implement Cosplay stuff in traditional things like fashion runways for propmaker works, as an example.

And it’s stuff like this that helps normalize the idea that even formal stuff can be casual fun for anyone really, without needing some over the top restricted industry that stops most of us normal folks from ever having the chance to attend such functions.

It’s good sheet, in short.


  • Edible Access

Hmm.

Well, the food’s good, it even comes with a Halal section.

I just kind of wish we got to drink the Jelly instead of having to scoop it out. 🤔


  • Lesson In Learning

What’s very neat about Ballare, is that even though it’s a formal Dance Ball of an event, it does go out of its way to teach folks who’ve never danced this stuff before.

…I mean, how many of us realistically can dance formally without accidentally tripping over. 👀

But yeah, it’s very cool to like do this kind of content, that helps guide folks into the event’s main activity. (Check out the Boxstep & Side by Side here.)

One thing I would suggest is if, they could do a crash course during the start of the event, as a warm up reminder before getting folks to disperse off with their partners for the actual first dance.


  • Spectator Function

One thing I really did not expect to notice, is that.

Jeezus, this is a surprisingly entertaining to watch event.

Getting in on the activities offered at Ballare is one thing, but standing on the sidelines watching awkward stuff unfold is just as…it makes you ask if you’re watching an episode of some teen drama’s prom night episode.

I can’t even make this sheet up, there’s hilarity, memes, awesomeness and some…questionable stuff, to behold.

Such that, yeah, I’m actually kind of surprised to see some pretty cool stuff in action.

Especially the minigame segments, and the near last dance where everyone holds hands and charges forward for some rally. :monkaS:


The Bad Blehs

The Bad Blehs brings up some…bad stuff, about events, which need to be talked about since no event is without issues that can’t be fixed for the future.

Future Organizers and/or spies from other event organizers, you can learn a thing or two of what not to do at your event here. (As a guide, so that you’re not too busy repeating history.)

Please keep in mind these are only for the current iteration of this event, which may or may not repeat for future events.


  • Beginner’s Confusion

Uh…

Yeah, that about sums up our time in the field, where being confused AF sums it up.

It’s a bit unclear on whether or not attendees are allowed to seat at the dining area at the start, as there’s only so many seats at the dance area.

I guess the one thing here that can resolve this, is just well, minor announcements that folks can put aside their belongings at nearby seating first then get dancing.

It’s not like a brief 10 seconds of putting away one’s stuff will mean that said attendee won’t be interested in the event.

People paid for this event, no F-ing way in hell is anyone not going to get involved.


  • Dark Light of The Force

Looking through past photos of the Ballare event, it’s a bit strange that lighting at those venues are surprisingly brighter than the one this year.

Some folks explained to me as the event wanting to settle for ambiance, which I can get behind, though it’s a bit weird.

Since past footage gave the impression that Ballare would be a literally lit AF event for photos and sights to capture with a camera.

It’s not like this is an on-stage performance filled event where lighting at the stage area needs to be dim all the time.

This is a Dance Ball, so again, it’s just a bit…strange, is all.

A minor pickle, but still something worth noting for the next one.


  • Early Suit Up

Just a simple thing to ask for, I kind of wish the promotional material for the Costume Rental place was promoted earlier, alongside registration for Ballare itself.

Why not put that out that Costume Rental post earlier to at the very least, give folks who wouldn’t traditionally have formal wear like blazers to plan out the funding they’d need to rent a suit.

Also, frequency, it’s staggering to note that this post only showed up once, on September 17th, and no other time after. 👀

And the strange thing is, with the promotional code Ballare gave, letting people know they could rent suits for the event benefits all parties involved!

Attendees get their suits for the event, the Costume Rental place gets the dough, Ballare gets people having a good time, it’s a win-win-win all round.

…so yeah, just promote that stuff earlier and more frequent I guess.


The Sequel?

Hmm. 🤔

I can’t say anything concrete here, because we honestly don’t know what lies ahead.

For all we know they could skip a year again like they did for 2018.

However, if the 2020 sequel does happen, for Fs sake, consider dropping by, readers.

The formal wear stuff can be a pickle for some, but hey, rentals exist to help folks suit up and dance.


The Verdict

I will say that, if you have the chance to attend Ballare, solo or not, it’s worth going at least once in your lifetime.

A combination of absurd uniqueness, which somehow manages to make a seemingly boring and overly formal idea entertaining, is how we can sum up Ballare as a concept.

Granted, this event is not for everyone, as a certain level of professional suiting up is needed, coupled with the cost of entry (For both the tickets and the formal wear), it’s really down to individuals to decide if they really really want to attend.

But if you do, it’s certainly well worth the time to run into people you might know and say,

What a Coincidance.”

*END*


Author’s Note:

Thank you so much for reading!

If possible, I’d love to hear your feedback on what can we do better.

Be it the bad writing, horrible pictures, or just the fact I need more water, I’d love to hear about it.


Also,

Check out more stories over at S.I.R House, of Content 2019.

That said, siteinrelief has a Facebook page now!

Page us anytime, anywhere, Amway offers will be shot on sight, no questions asked.


 

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