Circus Dreams Revealed

The Assistance League of San Bernardino announced Monday night the theme of their 54th Annual Signature Headdress Ball, “Circus Dreams”. The annual event will be held at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino on Saturday, April 25, 2015. There will be a matinee performance at 10 a.m. that will include lunch and the presentation of the headdresses. The cost to attend the matinee is $65 per person until Dec. 31 and $75 beginning Jan. 1, 2015. The evening gala celebration will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by the Signature Club. Tickets for the evening black-tie performance are $135 per person until Dec. 31 and $150 beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Tables seat 10 for the evening dinner performance. This year’s theme “Circus Dreams” will feature a theatrical production that incorporates 11 beautiful headdresses that represent different areas of the circus experience from a child’s point of view. The Great All American Youth Circus from the YMCA of the East Valley, Redlands branch will also perform during this year’s ball. “We appreciate how the community supports the children of San Bernardino by attending the Headdress Ball each year. We are especially excited that this year’s production will include performances from the Redlands Y Circus and fun midway games,” shared Margie Arnett, Headdress Ball co-chair. The presentation of the headdresses is a 54-year-old tradition that has grown more elaborate every year. Community patrons agree to sponsor these magnificent designer creations with all of the proceeds going to charity. The headdresses can weigh 10-50 lbs. and can stand at a height of 5’-15’ before being placed on a model’s head. The headdresses are designed by local florists and artisans and they must be carefully balanced so they are wearable. The audience will be treated to custom designed headdress representations of iconic circus performers and experiences such as the ringmaster, lion tamer, tightrope walker, bareback riders, strongman, the midway, carousel, clowns, tattooed lady, and elephants. This year’s designers include: Martin Flores from Inland Valley Floral, Derrick Vasquez from the National Orange Show, Albert Villegas, AIFD, Randy Davis, Ed Mendoza, Gary Longoria, Greg Sack, Paula Bailey and Sharon Golden with new designers Tony Barber, Judy Coates and Earlene & Don Dudley. This year’s headdress models will include Assistance League® members: Cathy Bechtel (Redlands), Jennifer Hobbs (Grand Terrace), Deborah Karalun (Highland), Beth Keiper (San Bernardino), Chelsea McCammack (San Bernardino) and Edda Rosso (Moreno Valley). Representing Les Confreres, an auxiliary of Assistance League® is Geri McQueen (Redlands). Special guest models that will be representing community interests include Martha Green(Redlands) representing Loma Linda Children’s Hospital; Gigi Hannah (San Bernardino) representing Sunset Rotary; Paula Negron (Redlands) representing Redlands Opera Theater; and Dr. Anne Viricel (Highland) representing the San Bernardino Symphony. “Reviewing the amazing list of past models, I was both honored and very excited to be asked to be a part of this iconic local event. I like to think my participation will bring awareness to the Highland Family YMCA, as well as to the highlight its synergies with other organizations with which I am involved,” said Dr. Anne Viricel who is a member of the Highland YMCA Advisory Committee, the executive director of the San Bernardino Symphony and an award-winning professor at the University of Redlands. The models who wear the headdresses are generally chosen based on their contributions to the San Bernardino chapter of Assistance League® and their community service. The members with the strongest service records are honored by the membership by being given the opportunity to model a headdress. For the past four years, this honor has extended to community representatives as well. The models then commit to rehearsal schedules that last for 10-12 weeks as they practice wearing tightly cinched corsets that brace the headdresses and distribute the weight primarily on their hips. A model must learn to balance the headdress while dancing in a fully produced number. All proceeds from the matinee and the evening performances will go to benefit the children of San Bernardino through the support and funding of the Dr. Earl R. Crane Children’s Dental Health Center and Operation School Bell®, a program that provides clothing for children in need. Last year the Ball raised over $75,000. This year the organization is hoping to achieve a similar goal. For more information on sponsorships or to purchase tickets contact Elsa Carlton at 909-792-8460 or Bobbi Simenton at 909-862-0732. Tickets and donations to Assistance League® are available online at http://headdressball2015.eventbrite.com.