We've Got Big Balls

For some reason, SFist hasn’t gotten the invite in the mail yet for the big Masked Ball that marks the opening of San Francisco’s Ballet Season but we couldn’t be more super-psyched. This year marks the 72nd season of the ballet and the 20th under Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson. According to Sylvia Rubin, the Chron’s fashion editor, the announcement of the Masked Ball "has sent everyone around town scurrying for something to cover their faces.” And we certainly agree as everyone we know has spent the past couple of weeks scrambling to find eye and stick masks. For those still unsure as which kind of mask to get, Jordanna Phigpen, the owner San Francisco’s Mask Italia, says "personally, I don't care for the masks on sticks, they're awkward to carry around all night…but they are more flirtatious, and frankly, they don't mess up your hair.'' A-men! Rubin also points out that the in dress this season will be the bare-shouldered look.

The gala begins at the Opera House where there will be cocktail receptions, seated dinners, and a gala performance of among other things “Romeo and Juliet.” For the celebration, the Opera House will

"take on the air of an Italian villa and gardens, with a dining terrace, a grand gate and lush, jewel-tone flowers and golden linens on the table, by Mandy Scott Flowers and Michael Anthony Design."

From there, there will be a post-performance celebration at City Hall, which

"will be transformed into an Italian palazzo, with strolling mandolin players, a grand chandelier, and numerous candelabras on tables dressed in aqua linens for the benefactor party, and fuchsia and gold for the patron party."

All this for either $800 per seat for Patrons or $1,500 for Benefactors.

Who should be in attendance? Well, since there was no Evite that got sent out concerning the Masked Ball which would allow us to see whose going and whose not going, we don’t know. Expect that the next big Catherine Bigelow column, however, will features lots of fabulous photos of the Getty’s, the Tompkins-Bell's, the Swigg-Schultz’s and a whole lot of other people we’ve never run into at Zietgiest. We’re also guessing that the newly single Gavin will be in attendance, so ladies, get your masks ready!

Photo of Alison Carlson, the 2005 auxiliary gala chair (right) and auxiliary committee member Trish Ferrin courtesy of SFGate.