Debutante Season in the twin cities? (Minneapolis, Regal: fit in, homes, movies)

[MXT88]

Are there any cotillions or debutante balls in the twin cities?

[TropicalAussie]

When I lived there I never heard of one. Wikipedia doesn't list any for Minnesota. Aren't they a southern thing?

[uptown_urbanist]

I know the Filipino girls at my high school had one. Other than that I never heard of any, although a few may exist.

(although fun fact: Karal Ann Marling, professor at the University of Minnesota, wrote a book about debutante balls...)

[Chugga Chugga Choo Choo]

Are we in Dallas??

[MxdWithLuv]

Originally Posted by HomesickAussie

When I lived there I never heard of one. Wikipedia doesn't list any for Minnesota. Aren't they a southern thing?

For the most part they are mostly done in the South. I think in the North its called a "coming out" party.

[Chugga Chugga Choo Choo]

Coming Out?? LOL Of the closet???

[uptown_urbanist]

They're still around in other places in the South; I know they have them in New York and in California, and probably a lot of other non-Southern states as well. While there are still some bastions of the high society WASP balls of the past, I think in the Midwest, anyway, most (all?) of the ones remaining are sponsored by ethnic or race-based organizations. They're also called cotillions. I think Jack and Jill chapters (African American) still frequently sponsor them, although I don't know if their Minneapolis chapter hosts one or not.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by MXT88

Are there any cotillions or debutante balls in the twin cities?

Wow. I had to look those terms up.

[Astron1000]

Originally Posted by MXT88

Are there any cotillions or debutante balls in the twin cities?

I grew up in Minneapolis. Never heard of such a thing as an actual cotillion. It only seemed to occur in the movies.

That said, I'd really like to hear about the cultural norms surrounding these traditions! What does it mean to have a debutante ball? What's the expectations of the participants? How does this fit into the larger cultural landscape?

Thanks!

[uptown_urbanist]

Astron, check out Karal Ann Marling's book "Debutante: Rites and Regalia of American Debdom." I haven't read it for a few years (it came out in '04), but it covers the history of the balls as well as places them in a larger social framework. She also folds in related topics like Quinceaneras and proms. There's some Minnesota-specific stuff in there as well (although not much), since Marling is an art history professor at the U. It's a highly readable book, and full of interesting tidbits. I think I'm going to reread it myself soon, as I could use a debdom refresher!

Anyone remember the story from the Swedish Institute? It's been a few years since I've been there, but I remember a story about the daughter of the family (back in its private home mansion days) being shunned when she had a large party -- I think a coming out party? -- and no one showed up.