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The dramatic entrance to the ball, at Montreal's landmark Windsor Station, is lined with 30 ballet students bearing daffodil bouquets. Note the Russian doll props at the top of the stairs.
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A "Dr, Zhivago" vignette at the entrance to the cocktail reception, complete with sleigh.
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Models clad in furs add to the winter theme of the cocktail reception.
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A string quartet plays music from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake."
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Ballet students hold the ball's signature blooms, daffodils, as they greet guests.
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Another view of the entry staircase.
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A trapeze artist sings "Lara's Theme" from "Dr. Zhivago" in the cocktail area.
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The rigger setting up for the trapeze artist.
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Winter-theme decor in the cocktail area.
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In the winter-theme cocktail area, a 50-foot glass bar is topped with ice sculptures of St. Petersburg's "onion" spires, each incorporating frozen daffodils.
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A selection of appetizers at the cocktail reception.
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Ballet students use "daffodil bells" to call guests to dinner.
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An overview of the dramatic dining room. The winter theme has given way to a room lined with ruby-red walls and ornate mirrors with 16-foot chandeliers with daffodils and gold medallions cascading down.
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Another view of the dining room.
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Dining tables feature floor-length ruby-red satin tablecloths, gold napkins, cut-crystal wineglasses and gold chiavaris. The gold chargers are embellished with custom-made royal crests, in the style of the czars.
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The handcrafted centerpieces are minature, stylized versions of St. Petersburg's famed "onion" spires and turrets. Three different turrets are on each table, each turret is topped with an inverted Christmas tree ornament and embellished by hand with glitter and jewels. Masses of daffodils, red roses and gloriosas surround the base of the pieces.
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The workshop for the turret centerpieces.
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A closer view of a tabletop; note the czar's crest.
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A view of the five dramatic chandeliers.
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A behind-the-scenes look at the chandelier construction.
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An elaborate gold dado circled the room.
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A 3D backdrop represents St. Petersburg.
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A Cirque du Soleil contortionist--originally from Russia--shows her stuff.
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A troupe of Kalinka dancers perform the Russian folk dance.
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A trio of "zakouski" appetizers, including blinis and caviar.
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The second course: Dover Sole Tsarine with Lobster Caviar.
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The entree: Shashlik of Lamb, with miniature Savoy cabbage with kasha, potatoes and beet salad.
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The charming dessert: Charlotte Russe Pashka with Raspberry Kissel. Note the "onion spire" meringue.
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Petits fours--some in vivid red--accompany dessert.
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Guests dance the night away on the ruby-red dance floor.
For another dramatic Daffodil Ball from Alison Silcoff Events, click
here.
For more beautiful Photo Galleries, click here.
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Another view of the trapeze artist, from the Cirque du Soleil troupe.
