Who Needs A Valentine? Inside Galentine's Ball

Being an Events writer forces you to venture out, and sometimes alone. This is how I found myself on Saturday 7 February, solo-hiking from Bridge Street to South Street for an 8:30 pickup. Clad in full ball-gear (blow dry, heels, dress, you name it), I was heading to EmpowHER’s Galentine’s Day Ball at the Rufflet’s Hotel, but without my gals.

My experience of EmpowHER (pronounced “empower”) is limited, although I did go to a Twilight screening and a spin class in my first year. According to their Instagram, EmpowHER’s aim is to “empower[] women and those who feel comfortable in a woman-centred space to lead healthy, well-rounded lives.” This is partly done by providing a space to build connections and friendships with other people. Both of these events I went to alone, and made friends there that I still have to this day. 

Rather unsurprisingly (but very thankfully!) I bumped into friendly faces immediately, even before stepping foot on the bus. As we got on, I spotted a pair of wellies and despaired at my choice of silver heels.

We were soon at the venue. As people filtered through the doors and got their drinks from the bar, the dance floor settled into a comfortable groove. The gals had brought their A-game, from hot-pink sequined jumpsuits to baby-pink sashed ball gowns. I was on the lookout for the best outfit of the evening.

Decorated with everything Galentine’s, the venue was host to a photo station with funky accessories, a DJ, and a dancefloor — and I mean a proper one, slightly raised from the carpet, like ones I remember from childhood dance competitions.

Unlike normal balls, it was entirely indoors — so no mud! — and was small enough not to need the dreaded porta-potties. My shoes were grateful.

When the dancefloor was in full swing, I took my questions to Ines Tramarin, one of two Directors of the Ball, along with Lily Markalunas. Tramarin had been the President of EmpowHER, but decided to move to the Galentine’s Day Ball sub-committee in her final year, with plenty of objectives in mind.

Tramarin’s “biggest goal this year was to make the tickets as accessible as possible.” Tickets were priced for members at £25, non-members at £30, inclusive of entry, transport, cloakroom, raffle and a gift bag — almost half the price of other major balls. 

This was the first year the Ball was accompanied by a dinner. The “Make a Galentine” event, hosted by The Bothy on 1 February, was where “people came largely on their own to meet other people going to the Ball.” The three-course meal, priced at £30 per person, hosted 40. Tramarin, alluding to her goal of accessibility, told me that tickets were subsidised where possible.

We discussed how the ball was accessible in other ways, with both attendees and the sub-committee ranging from first to fourth years. Tramarin told me that gender wasn’t a concern, and while most attendees were women, everyone was welcome. Membership of EmpowHER was also not a prerequisite for entry, seeing as, according to Tramarin, “out of about 170 people [at the Ball], only 30 are member […] It’s not just an EmpowHER thing.”

I asked Tramarin what Galentine’s Day means to her. 

“It’s a huge celebration of friendship. We want the ball itself to be a moment of getting together, of making friends […] and of being happy,” Tramarin explained.

From what I could see, this was exactly right.

We returned to the dancefloor for more One Direction, Chappell Roan, ABBA and, of course, Beyonce. The committee celebrated their hard work, groups merged and danced together. There was an atmosphere of mutual support and friendliness. I felt immensely happy.

The night was a blast, and for the committee, it was a huge success. I have been to a few awful Balls, but this wasn’t one of them. How grateful was I to find this one in my final year!

Photo: Hannah Treagus