Yellowknife (Oct 29/04) - It's time to dust off your evening gowns, Yellowknife.

The fancy Christmas gala season is just around the corner and the first event is the ballroom dance gala Wonderland By Night, Nov. 6 at the Explorer Hotel.

Seana Stewart takes a spin on the dance floor at last year's ballroom dance gala. The gala is one of the few opportunities Yellowknifers have to glam it up. - NNSL file photo

"It's the only formal event in town," said Vicenta Bugg, ballroom dance teacher and the gala's organizer.

She means formal as in black tie and floor length sequined dresses, items of clothing not often seen in the jeans and parka world North of 60.

Ballroom dancers from the Yellowknife Starlight group have had to search far afield for their outfits.

One woman who will do the rhumba found hers in the Philippines. And another woman who will perform the cha cha did her shopping in Toronto, and bought five outfits.

"The gowns are very expensive," said Bugg.

Costumes bought from dance studios average $900 to $1,000. But Bugg said most dancers consider the glamour worth the price.

"This is how much you love the dance," said Bugg.

Female dancers go all out for show-stopping looks in performances, even wearing fake nails and eyelashes.

"It's a show," said Bugg.

Dressing to the nines is also part of the fun for the recreational dancers who attend the gala and take to the open floor after the show.

"I had a woman who wanted a ticket, but had to find a gown first before she confirmed," said Bugg.

Bugg is always surprised by Yellowknifers' tendency to plan their evenings at the last minute.

Most of the 250 tickets have been sold, but she has held on to a few, knowing there'll always be a few tardy souls.

There's nothing last minute about the ballroom dance gala.

The Starlight dancers have been practising for their part of the show since January.

This year's guest performers are ballroom champions Barbara Ferchuk and Brent Smith from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Vancouver.