East Bay period enthusiasts re-create historical costume dances 

Once a month at the Elks Lodge in downtown Alameda, a large empty ballroom is transformed into a bustling party scene, with lights and decorations, and furniture shoved aside to make space for a dance floor.

After the doors open, the eager attendees seem to belong to an era untouched by modern- day fashion, technologies and mannerisms.

They might don regal pastel-colored ball gowns and pressed suits taken straight out of a Victorian Era clothing catalog. Or they’ll slip into sequined flapper dresses and sleek trousers synonymous with the Roaring Twenties. Come Halloween time, onlookers will find crowds draped in hauntingly gothic-inspired clothing.

Upcoming on Sept. 6 is The Great Gatsby Ball, inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.

The masterminds coordinating these parties aren’t historians, but rather historical reenactment enthusiasts from an Alameda nonprofit called Period Events and Entertainments Re-creation Society, Inc. The group is “dedicated to remembering, researching and re-creating the performing arts of the past” and “to the idea of entertainment as something for people to do rather than watch.”

The number of people interested in attending costume balls has surged in recent years thanks to popular period dramas like Netflix’s “Bridgerton” and HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” The old-school glamor, fashion and aesthetics have inspired birthday parties, restaurants and even weddings.

In fact, the Historical Reenactment Apparel Market, which monitors how much money people spend on replicating the clothing and accessories worn in various time periods, was valued at $1.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $2.8 billion by 2032.

James Myers and his wife Cathleen were early to the trend when they started PEERS in 1992. Since then, hundreds have attended the organization’s balls and other social events, in which participants learn more about history, improve their dancing skills and build camaraderie.

“We try to do a good mixture of different styles of events, different times and different themes,” James says. “It changes from year to year.”

Before “Bridgerton” aired, PEERS’ Regency themed balls had “light attendance,” according to Steve George, the organization’s treasurer. Now people show up to them in droves, wearing glamorous homemade or store-bought costumes.

The PEERS Facebook group boasts more than 4,000 members, who post everything from costume suggestions and photos of previous PEERS gatherings to information about where to find the best historical dancing classes in the Bay Area.

The region is home to popular historical re-creation fairs, including The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City, which revisits England’s Victorian Era, or the Northern California Renaissance Faire in Hollister.

The Myers, who have been regulars at the fairs for years, said they were inspired to create PEERS after seeing how popular the fair turnout was.

“We wondered, why can’t we do other periods, in fact all of them?” Cathleen says.

PEERS’ previous events include a re-creation of a 1930s Mystery Party, a 1920s speakeasy, a Gold Rush-inspired ball and the annual Le Bal des Vampires, a re-creation of a 19th century French costume ball. Anyone can purchase tickets, which range from $30-$35, to attend.

Themes may be inspired by scenes from classic books, comics and plays, such as Shakespeare, Batman or “The Phantom of the Opera.” They’ve also dabbled in recreating popular fantasy realms such as “Game of Thrones” or “Star Trek.”

The organization offers weekly vintage ballroom dance classes for $10 on Tuesday evenings (7 p.m. for newcomers, 8 p.m. for those with experience) at the Elks Lodge. Most PEERS events take place at the lodge, though some, like the annual 1900s- inspired picnic in August, are at Lincoln Park in Alameda.

PEERS members are always striving to make the event as authentic to the period as possible, according to George.

“One of the things we’ve been encouraging is the incredible diversity of thought and costuming and acting,” he says.

PEERS will arrange to have singers perform a song similar to how it was done during the chosen period. Members bring in costume experts who can comment about the authenticity of appearances. These activities help the organization preserve the historical arts, George said.

Volunteer Michele Apriña Leavy says PEERS wants to make the balls a fun experience for attendees of all ages and backgrounds. Leavy, who has been helping the organization for three years, appreciates the diversity and kindness of all members, new and returning.

“People are so accepting and welcoming,” Leavy says. “What (PEERS) has created is a safe place for people to come and find joy.”

Period Events and Entertainments Re-creation Society, Inc.’s Great Gatsby Ball is at 8 p.m. Sept. 6 in Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, Tickets are $30-$35 at peersdance.org/gatsby.html, 

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