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Hate to go against the grain here, but I thought that, all things considered, the Black and White Ball was awesome. It was so much better than last year that I had to post just to tell the staff what great improvements were made.  Thank you, Staffers!

The music choices were pretty good. The songs for the waltz needed to have a clearer beat, but other than that, there were lots of fun songs like the Chocobo song (great since we're at an anime con!), as well as lots of classic songs like Sing, Sing, Sing. Personally, I heard very little techno or remixed music, and what I did hear had a latin beat. We salsa'd to it, and it was enjoyable. There's nothing wrong with throwing in a "fun" song or two, especially when your audience is mostly younger people.

We have to remember that most of the attendees are young, usually in high school or early college, and they don't have dance experience. To put on a Ball that replicates an official ballroom in every capacity would be intimidating, and I think not as enjoyable. It seemed very important to the dance teachers that everyone have a memorable social experience that would leave them with warm feelings toward social dance. Although I don't completely agree with the way the lessons were taught, I liked the gist of them, and I very much like the emphasis on polite converstation and behaviour.

I agree with the lack of space, though. A bigger room would've been much better.

As for the dress code, it was enforced pretty strictly when we went in, but then, we were at the front of the line. I'm sure that by the time it got towards the end of the dance, the staffers were a lot more lax, trying to let in anyone who wanted to attend the event, since it was about to finish.

The moment I saw this thread, I HAD to register to participate. XD

I don't normally do much more than lurk around these sorts of things, but I LOVE ballroom dancing, and when I saw that Fanime was having a ball, like AX did previously, I was really excited. We found out about it last minute, and went shopping just so we would have the proper attire to attend. But when we got there...

Well, to say the least, we were all disappointed.

Firstly, the room was WAY too small, and poorly ventilated. (I think someone else mentioned this.) We could hardly breathe, let alone DANCE. We had to leave before we passed out. I understand that this may be because the popularity of such a ball was underestimated, so I hope this is remedied this year.

Secondly, there appeared to be NO dress code whatsoever. We saw lots of girls in GORGEOUS dresses of all kinds coming into the room all dolled up, only to look around the dance and realize that they needn't have bothered.

Thirdly, there was almost (I say "almost" only because I wasn't there the entire time, so I'll assume there must have been SOME) no ballroom music. There was only "dance" music. I don't mind a mix of current anime theme songs or pop songs that have waltz or swing beats to them, but there IS a whole other dance for that sort of music.

So basically, the Black and White Ball, while obviously a successful event, was not a BALL. It was a DANCE. I really liked the description of AWA's Ball, and I strongly urge the FanimeCon staff and organizers to look this over. Many of its rules should be put into effect.

People come to a "ball" because they want to feel elegant and grown-up. They want the chance to wear formal clothing and mingle with others who share their dream of living in another, more beautiful world, if only for a little while. Please, PLEASE, make the Black and White Ball a BALL, and not just another rave or middle-school dance.

Every single one of us will appreciate the wonderful pictures and cherished memories that will come from it.