Welcome to the ball. Find out all about how we’re blending movement and heritage in a giant disco ball of joy.
The AUstentatious Ball
August 2025
On Saturday, 9 August 2025, The Austentatious Ball – a free, large-scale community dance event took over Guildhall Square in Southampton.
Working with Mayflower Studios, we created this immersive performance as a major highlight of the nationwide Austen 250 celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth in Hampshire.
“Events like this are important as they offer non-judgemental and uniting spaces to explore things potentially outside of people’s comfort zone, and also invites people to connect in movement. It builds a sense of community and unity.”
Louise, on The Austentatious Ball
Our goal was to reimagine a traditional 18th-century Regency ball with a bold, contemporary twist. We rooted the performance in the real stories, diverse backgrounds and modern movement styles of today’s local residents, blending historical elegance with contemporary street culture. Spectators and participants (our guests) enjoyed an energetic atmosphere complete with live music, professional entertainment, and traditional dance cards that got everyone chatting and moving together.
In the lead-up to the ball, we worked with our guests both online and in person to learn the Grand Finale dance and become one united community. When the day arrived, we transformed Guildhall Square into a joyous, welcoming space, with a giant dancefloor at its heart.
Guests were guided through a series of dances which blended improvisation with choreography and encouraged new connections and playful creativity in pairs and groups.
Guests aged 11 to 75 turned up dressed to impress. No prior dance experience was required and we encouraged attendees to turn up in whatever they felt comfortable in, resulting in a brilliant mix of grand period attire, everyday clothes and tracksuits!
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The % of participants who connected with someone new during the process
95%
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The % of participants who said the event helped them feel more connected to their local community
75%
03
The % of participants who rarely or never took part in dance before the ball
40%
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The % of participants who now want to take part in more dance activity
85%
“It has brought together so many people from different backgrounds, ethnicity and communities which we would otherwise never connect with in our busy lives.”
Jenny, on The Austentatious Ball
At its heart, The Austentatious Ball was about liberation, expression, and genuine connection. All played out on a giant, shared disco ball of joy!
The Austentatious Ball will be appearing at festivals in 2026/27 as The Ostentatious Ball
We look forward to seeing you there!