Be My Valentine

What a ball night! Even at five in the morning the dance floor in the Festsaal was still packed after the orchestra’s final number, traditionally “Brüderlein fein” – the guests simply did not want to go home. The Ball of Legal Professionals, sold out for weeks, once again recorded a record attendance this year.

Guests were welcomed in keeping with the motto “BE MY VALENTINE” the moment they entered the Hofburg. The WIENER WALZERMÄDCHEN played waltz music in the LEXISNEXIS CAFÉ VALENTINE, accompanied by coffee from the espresso mobile and pralines from Altmann & Kühne. An elaborately designed photo wall with a rose arch, hearts and Cupid, along with the magnificent floral arrangements at the grand staircase, made for popular photo motifs. On the landing of the grand staircase, Emperor Franz Joseph was atmospherically decorated with rose walls and projections. The Festsaal itself appeared as a paradise of hearts and roses; the original table decoration, a snow globe with a set of scales, quickly became a sought-after souvenir.

After the traditional procession of the guests of honor and the debutantes, KS CLEMENS UNTERREINER, accompanied by the CARL-MICHAEL-ZIEHRER-ORCHESTER, opened the evening musically with “Dunkelrote Rosen”. Following the address by the President of the Juristenverband, DR. ALEXANDER T. SCHEUWIMMER, Federal Minister of Justice DR.IN ANNA SPORRER opened the ball. The waltz formation of Tanzschule Elmayer and the opening committee presented the “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in a choreography directed by MAG.IUR. REINHARD HOHENEGGER. With the words “Alles Walzer”, spoken by PROF. THOMAS SCHÄFER-ELMAYER, the dance floor filled rapidly while the PEPE ALLSTAR BAND added contemporary sounds.

Numerous acts provided musical variety: CREMISA in the Zeremoniensaal, SHE’S A DIVA in the Rittersaal, the CLEMENS SCHALLER DUO in the Geheime Ratstube, CARLA NATASCHA & BAND in the Metternichsaal and DJane MEL MERIO in the Campari Bar. For the first time, a salsa workshop with MARIA VALLES and ERIC GUERRERO was also on offer.

Shortly before midnight, entertainer GREGOR GLANZ presented singer KAYLA KRYSTIN, who competed in the ORF selection for the Song Contest with her song “i brenn”. The highlight of the midnight show followed with three-time Eurovision Song Contest winner JOHNNY LOGAN, who thrilled the guests with standing ovations and sing-along choruses. “We also wanted to place an emphasis on the Song Contest in Vienna and are very happy that Johnny Logan accepted our invitation,” said artistic director MARIKA LICHTER, delighted with the singer’s success. Heart-shaped balloons that then floated down from the ceiling created a special moment.

After the first quadrille, led by PROF. THOMAS SCHÄFER-ELMAYER, the raffle in aid of the association Wider die Gewalt took place at 1.30 a.m., hosted by its managing director MARIKA LICHTER. The winners were delighted with prizes from numerous sponsors, including Gmundner Keramik, Vossen, Lindt, LexisNexis, Manz, Casinos Austria and many more. MAG.a IUR. SILVIA SCHNEIDER guided the evening with her customary assurance.

There was also excellent entertainment away from the dance floor: the karaoke bar, the Heuriger with the DUO FRANZ LUIDOLT and the disco with the JUDGE DJS WALDI & WOLF were well attended into the early hours. Services such as KLEIDERVERLEIH ROTTENBERG, FOTOSTUDIO SULZER and the hairdressing service of the BERUFSSCHULE FÜR SCHÖNHEITSBERUFE rounded off the offering. The ball gifts – generously supported by Gmundner Keramik, Recheis, Lindor, Vossen and Manz, among others – were very well received.

“In recent years our ball has developed from an industry event into a highlight of the Viennese ball season,” concluded DR. ALEXANDER T. SCHEUWIMMER and ball director MAG.IUR. REINHARD HOHENEGGER, thanking everyone involved. “Be My Valentine” proved a complete success – a glittering ball night that leaves you wanting more.