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Dances


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Dinner Dance poster, 1950

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The initial social event to usher in Junior week was Blazer Ball, according to tradition, marks the first official appearance of the Juniors in their newly acquired blazers. Seniors, considered guests of the evening, were given a formal farewell by Juniors. Over the years, it became an informal dance after Mother's Day.

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"Bunny Hop at the Blazer Ball.

And, remember the next

dance? Slow and easy...

but these bunnies were all

hopped out."

Belle Air yearbook, 1954

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Blazer Ball

Belle Air yearbook, 1952

 

“With our Mothers safe at home, we turned our attention to the activities to follow. On Wednesday night Frank Teti, a former Villanovan, and his Blue Notes provided the music when nearly two hundred of us escorted our dates to the Blazer Ball”—Belle Air, 1954

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Blazer Ball program, 1941

VUA 22 College and University Functions records

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Invitation, Blazer Ball, May 3, 1950

VUA 22 College and University Functions records

Program.jpg

Blazer Ball program, 1956

VUA 22 College and University Functions records

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When the twilight shadows gather

Out upon the Campus green,

When the blue and purple night

Comes stealing on the scene

Loyal sons of Villanova

Sing a hymn of praise

To our dear old: ALMA MATER

And our College days.

By Al Dubin and Joseph Burke, Villanova College Anthem

Junior Prom program, 1948

VUA 22 College and University Function records

 

Junior Prom was considered the finale of Junior Week and usually held the day after Blazer Ball. Prom was typically held off-campus and allowed to go on long after normal curfew hours.

 

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Junior Prom invitation, 1926

VUA 22 College and University Function records

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Booklet to record the names of people one intends to dance with at a formal dance | Also known as programme du bal

In the early days of Junior Prom, the booklet that serviced as the program was also a dance card to record who you planned to dance with during the night.

Junior Prom program, 1951

VUA 22 College and University Function records

Junior Prom program, 1925

VUA 22 College and University Function records

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Prom Queen | Date of a Villanova Junior | Could be any age or come from a different college

Even before Villanova becoming co-educational the Junior Promendae, or Prom, would have a Junior Prom Queen. The rules were simple that she only had to be the official date of a Villanova Junior. Five to six women would be selected as finalists and there would be voting during Junior Week on who should be selected as Queen. With a long history as a male-only college opportunities to expand Junior Week activities to center on women never really materialized when the university became co-educational in 1968.