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Venue The Hotel | The Ballroom | By Rail | By Bus | By Car | Accomodation | Discounted Hotel Rooms The ball will be held at the prestigious Randolph Hotel, located in central Oxford. Hotel staff will be in attendance at the bar and on the door throughout the night. 
The venue itself is the private ballroom of the Randolph Hotel, which has been exclusively reserved for the Dark Masquerade for the entire evening. The ballroom features a dance floor, three chandeliers, and its own private bar. Please note that the bar is the only smoking area for the event, and the dancefloor itself is smoke (and smoke machine) free. The venue is also wheelchair accessible.
For those arriving from outside Oxford, regular trains run to Oxford train station from most major stations. National Rail timetables for trains to and from Oxford can be found here. To reach the Randolph Hotel from the train station, exit the train station via the main exit, walk across Frideswide Square in the direction of Hythe Bridge Street, and cross at the first set of lights. You will find yourself on George Street. Continue along this street until the large crossroads; turn left here, taking Magdalen Street West, which soon turns into St Giles. Continue along this street until you see the front of the Randolph Hotel on the left. The hotel is about ten minutes' walk from the station.London ballgoers can take advantage of the Oxford Tube and Oxford Espress buses, both of which depart from nearby Gloucester Green bus station throughout the night and run direct to Shepherd's Bush, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria. To reach the Randolph Hotel from Gloucester Green bus station, exit the bus station by Harvey's cafe; you will find yourself in Gloucester Green square. Walk directly across the square towards the taxi rank; turn left when you reach the taxi rank, and proceed up Gloucester Street until you reach Beaumont Street. Turn right on Beaumont Street; the Randolph is at the end of the street, on the corner with St Giles. Those arriving by car will find several car parks nearby. The spaces in the centre of Broad Street (~3 minutes from the Randolph) cost £1.50 for the entire evening, but are often occupied. The Hythe Bridge Street car park is larger, but also slightly more expensive. As a last resort, the Gloucester Green car park does now allow parking past midnight, but requires a £5 extra charge on top of the ticket - and an attendant has to be found to let you out at the end of the evening. Unfortunately, the Randolph itself is only able to provide parking for ballgoers who are also staying at the Hotel.  There are several hotels and Bed and Breakfasts in the nearby area, some within easy walking distance and some requiring a taxi. Nearby Gloucester Green square has several cafes and restaurants, and the Randolph's own restaurant is open before the ball for those wishing to eat out.However, for those wanting to finish the evening in style, the Randolph Hotel itself does offer accomodation - and at a reduced rate for ballgoers! The Randolph has generously offered to reduce the prices of hotel rooms to £110 for single occupancy and £130 for double occupancy, which represents a reduction of about £50 on their usual price. Simply quote your name, the Masquerade Ball and your ticket number when you make your Randolph booking, and you should receive the discount. Dress Code  Black and wispy, dahling...! - no, not really. The theme is A Dance With The Damned, so expect decadent, Gothic, horrific, historical and debauched. Bring out your very best gown or tails and your imagination. A mask is mandatory, even if you just paint it on! Traditional formal Gothic dress is also suitable, but non-formal and cyber-themed wear is unacceptable: no glowsticks please, the Devil is a fussy... devil. Please note: The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry on any grounds, including lack of mask or unsuitable dress.
Tickets Information on ordering tickets can be found on the Tickets page. The Event The event begins at 7pm on the 26th of January 2007, when you can come in, have a glass of something, and dance to your favourite New Romantic/Traditional music. At midnight is the traditional unmasking (when you can find out just WHO it is you've been snogging all night...). The music will also cease at 12, so arrive early to make the most of the evening! The bar will close after 12:30, and you may stagger out like little creatures of the night at 1am. The King and Queen In grand traditional style, a King and Queen of the Ball will be crowned on the night. After careful research following last year's event, the Organisers have elected to once again use the highly scientific "yowling vote" method, so if you want a chance to be royalty for a night, use all your costume ingenuity! Postulants for the role of King and Queen must enter as a couple, of any gender combination; the winning couple may fight over the titles themselves. The term "couple" does not imply that entrants must be partners, sexual or otherwise. At the Organisers' discretion, there may be a little something in it for the winners... Music Music will be organised by Joff. Our DJ for the event is DJ Sable, a prestigious veteran of many such events. The music will be distinguished Gothic, New Romantic and Traditional, in the elegant style of the venue and the ball itself. |
