the not so Bridgerton Ball in Detroit

[@itsjusteddie7384]

As someone who has heard nothing about this event, the sentence: “The lone violin player has spoken out, the pole dancer has spoken out.” Is insane. So excited to watch this wtf.

[@SephoneNorth]

I stopped and went “wait, did she say Pole dancer?”

[@findus6528]

and it doesnt even get any less crazy from there because turns out the violinist was a highschool student who didnt get paid and the pole dancer was hired 3 hours before

[@krixkhaos]

I came to the comments section specifically to see if there was a comment like this, because I HAD heard about the pole dancer, but I knew there would be people who hadn't and would have heard that line and gone, "The fucking what now?"

[@gggthsb]

same, the pole dancer made me nearly choke on my tea 😂 I was like either I didn't hear Bridgerton right or the pole dancer, like surely those don't go together right? 😅

[@ragdollrose2687]

Absolutely no shade to the dancer, she did what she could and pole dancing is a beautiful discipline. But for Bridgerton? 😂 Who thought it was a good idea?!

[@pralinemocha]

I yearn for the day Swell creates an "I organised a themed event so you can see how difficult it ACTUALLY is" series.

[@dougmhd2006]

SWELL-CON!!!

[@pillbugm8914]

I suspect she won't precisely because she knows how costly and difficult it is.

[@HistoricaHungarica]

A motorsport themed one?

[@Odeliabud]

Swell presents Con-con

[@is-yn6jf]

​@@Odeliabudan Australian podcast is hosting a con con in November. Its a spoof of business conferences though not of fan conferences

[@samanthal9114]

As a Glaswegian, the idea that anything disappointing can be classified as a Glasgow Experience is something I can get behind.

[@Dustylittlestudio]

I guess it's kind of a step up from our previous associations of heroin and knife crime? Go us 😭

[@samanthal9114]

@@Dustylittlestudio gentrification man, it's the gentrification, no way Finneston should be that nice.

[@JRCP144]

My Glasgow experience was having to go to primark in a hurry because I accidentally wore a green and white t-shirt... so yeah, "city of depressed oompa-loompas" seems like an upgrade.

[@Sootielove]

I'm so sad when people get scammed like this because victim blaming goes sky high. Like, yeah, could they have researched it a bit more? Maybe, but also most people don't go deep diving into instagram on every event they attend. People don't tend to go into things assuming they're being scammed. Even still, the people who decided to scam people out of their money are the ones to blame, not the people who wanted to have a fun time roleplaying a show they like.

[@alexhook9151]

I agree. Plus a scam event could have awesome and legit looking information online and promise alot but not in a suspicious way, only for you to show up and it be an empty warehouse. Plus, some of the best events I've gone to have had simple generic advertising online. Folks should be careful, sure, but people and companies can still end up scamming them regardless.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Agreed.

[@kgal1298]

I only blame event organizers in this case because they misrepresented everything.

[@vadalia3860]

Exactly and I can't help but see some issues of class & race in the victim-blaming because it's Detroit. Like "ha ha look at the ghetto people who thought they were going to get something nice and classy, when everyone knows it's not for those kinds of people"

[@hospitable_ghost]

Agree. Yes, do you due diligence, but people shouldn't have to go into every interaction assuming they're about to be scammed just to protect themselves.

[@stellasdoesstuff]

There's an organization in Seattle that puts on a lot of historical-themed events, and they had a "Bridgerton Ball" scheduled this month. Since the Detroit event happened, they changed the name of the event to "Regency Ball." They're an established event organization so I fully expect the event will be good, I just think it's an interesting cause-and-effect

[@nerdgirl7363]

It's so funny because they have "Lady Chatterbox" and do the whole "dearest gentle readers" so when I got advertised it as the Rengency Ball I knew it was really Bridgerton themed

[@AnimeMintTea]

A regency ball sounds more elegant and fun than a "bridgerton ball". That sets up weird expectations because how is it supposed to be like Bridgerton?? Is the queen going to show up?

[@Arguing.With.Idiots.]

​@@AnimeMintTea yes. In official Netflix bridgerton balls, they actually include a lot of fun things.

[@garak55]

The queen willbe black and they'll play taylor swift songs on tge violin.

[@ffwast]

They realized they could get sued.

[@mynameisanya5021]

The queen greeting people with “What Up Doe?” is so Detroit lmao 😭 (coming from a Native Detroiter)

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

I died when I heard that 💀

[@jaysax7381]

Right LMAOO

[@ClevverUsername]

Lol I'm a Mid-Mich transplant and you're so accurate. 😭

[@elliebearyy]

grew up in oak park and 💀 yeahh

[@toidIllorTAmI]

Please tell me. What were you thinking when you heard there was supposed to be a fancy Ball in DETROIT?! Lmfao

[@Itsaudriscott]

The violin player reminds me of the episode of the office where Michael throws a Christmas party and hires a bassist for the day because ‘why hire a string quartet for 4 hours when you can get one guy for the whole day’

[@stefaniem423]

When I saw your video title I had to laugh because I actually attended the event unfortunately! My best friend and I had the cheapest general admission tickets so we didn’t attend the dinner and show portion but when we got there it was packed. There was security holding doors open but there was so much confusion and congestion in the entry hall, with no employees directing anyone or checking tickets. All music on the second and third floor was the Bridgerton soundtrack played on awful-quality speakers and everything else was pretty much how you described! There were supposed to be dance lessons but I never saw that happening. The bar was only serving mocktails, and there were 3 random booths on the side selling perfume, candles, and permanent jewelry- not only was the sound too loud and overstimulating but the various fragrance smells were also overwhelming. We left after about 45 minutes after they changed the music in the ballroom to modern music. Once we got outside there was actually a big group of ball attendees across the street at an indoor/outdoor bar having a better time imo, but it was cool out and misty so we just headed home. I’ve disputed the charge but I spent 3 days sewing my gown and so many people put so much effort into their looks- we met a girl who said it was her birthday and she had been so excited but was crushed.

[@GwenevereRuth]

Wow, I’m so sorry! I feel bad for that birthday girl :(

[@mikuifyanasty]

8:30 I’m dying at this because you just randomly said conference for dentists and I’m watching at work while printing out graphics for a conference for dentists🤣🤣

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

That is SO oddly specific that it deserves attention.

[@sparkymularkey6970]

What does a conference for dentists entail? Is there a panel to try to figure out who that 10th dentist is?

[@Speederzzz]

Toothcon?

[@haleymist09]

​@@sparkymularkey6970 😅

[@pillbugm8914]

​@@sparkymularkey6970probably just lame speeches about professional development and new technology

[@amelia12489]

As a Brit I am lolling so hard at you calling the cursed Willy Wonka Experience just ‘the Glasgow experience’ 😭🤣

[@annikkirahko6714]

I always thought the Glasgow experience was getting stabbed😂

[@cait812]

​@@annikkirahko6714That's fife

[@bassetts1899]

Average day in Glasgow

[@maddiemaccheese8170]

As a native Detroiter we're always talking about how much better our city has gotten and how it's on the up & up... Then things like this happen and it's back to square one 💀💀

[@dahliasdarkside1695]

Also a Detroiter here, with all the historic buildings around here you'd think they could have at least got a venue more historic looking? I guess that's a moot point.

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

​@@dahliasdarkside1695 I KNOW!! Why not do the Masonic Temple??

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

​@@dahliasdarkside1695 I agree. Why not use something like the Masonic Temple, or something in Meadowbrook?

[@abbyzoetewey538]

Not from Detroit, I go there a bit as I am a Michigander, but Detroit has been starting I think to thrive again especially over the past few years. It’s very unfortunate that this plays into “can’t have shit in Detroit” meme, when in fact you have shit in Detroit rn.

[@dahliasdarkside1695]

@srose1088 Literally, when Theatre Bizarre was at the Masonic Temple, it was breathtaking.

[@TracesOflnk]

I'm a romance scholar and let me tell you, the amount of people who use "Bridgerton" when they mean "Regency romance" drives me up the wall! Also Regency balls are totally a thing and seem super fun so if that's something you're interested in, you can probably find one reasonably close to you.

[@krixkhaos]

I mean, I guess it's a similar thing to people saying "Hoover" when they mean "vacuum." If a brand makes a big enough name for itself, it can become synonymous with the overall thing. I guess I'd just say pick your battles. At least they're not calling it Victorian or something, THAT drives me up the wall.

[@exploridori]

I think the difference comes from the all the ways in which Bridgerton costumes are historically inaccurate. A regency ball to me implies a degree of effort put into the accuracy. A bridgerton ball means that specific loosely regency inspired but over the top fashion seen on the show.

[@CowMaster9001]

I don't think most Bridgerton fans would catch the fact that Bridgerton is a Temu version of Regency.

[@rx500android]

Omg my thoughts exactly!!

[@TracesOflnk]

@@krixkhaos I hear what you're saying but Regency romance has been a perfectly well-established thing since the 1920s, and one of the most popular romance subgenres period, and now people who only discovered it via the Netflix adaptation of a 20-year-old book series are using "Bridgerton" as a marketing term with no awareness of history or context. I enjoy the show, and I love that people are so enthusiastic about it, but positioning Bridgerton as the ultimate Regency romance is, frankly, disrespectful to all the other incredible authors who have been just as influential in the genre's evolution. I don't know if you read any of the books but we have come SO FAR since then! It's as if somebody decided to do a remake of How I Met Your Mother that got really popular with people who have never watched a sitcom before and then everyone went, ah, yes, FRIENDS is soooo HOIMYM-core.

[@kkuudandere]

Honestly, Detroit has so many places with beautiful historical architecture and ambiance, these poor folks would be better off just getting together in groups for a fancy night out (I used to work at an art museum, and occasionally the historical actors from the Henry Ford/Greenfield Village would come to our museum in costume. That was always a delight for me, personally. Have a fancy museum night!)

[@202cardline]

I went to Brookfield zoo and a couple was dressed up like they were on a jungle expedition in the 1950’s and I realized that’s how I want to live my life.

[@Drakochannojutsu]

This or even just doing regency dress up to go to a social event....

[@jacquig1939]

Even the Renaissance Festival is doing a Bridgerton event post season (haven't heard much about it) but I feel like literally anything would have been better. Even just outside in a garden with lights

[@Hannah-ologist]

Shout-out to the wayback machine again! The org that runs it, the Internet Archive has been hit with some major lawsuits that threaten its existence!

[@LotusDecember]

I really hope that if Netflix does the Bridgerton ball experience again they bring it to Detroit. Those people deserve to experience the real thing after all that.

[@bogwife7942]

"the lone violin player has spoken out, the pole dancer has spoken out--" that's how you know you're in for a wild ride

[@MzAbstractMind]

“Ladies want balls, okay?! We want balls…” I hope my neighbors didn’t hear just that part 😂🤣💀

[@gaerekxenos]

when you take it out of context like that... 😂

[@BrittanyLeavitt]

Your videos always come out when I'm like "ugh I don't want to do the dishes" so now I do the dishes while watching your new videos. I see a new swell video and my brain goes "oh it's time to do the dishes"

[@nerdgirl7363]

You really Pavlov'd yourself 😆

[@sweetprison]

Jealous of your brain, I wish I could train myself like that

[@talaofthevalley]

That people love to dress up is so true. The biggest amusement park in my country, Liseberg, does a big theme change every October for Halloween, and every year I've gone I've seen people dressed up. I'VE dressed up and had a blast in my red witch hat, laced-up dress, and long wavy coat. It's just fun!

[@birdec765]

The Bridgerton theme was even in an episode of Doctor Who.

[@auntiesasa_wednesday]

Brilliant episode ❤

[@kurtwagner350]

The Madam Pompadour one?

[@thehousecat93]

@@kurtwagner350the one from this year with Jonathan Groff as a space-faring bounty hunter. Shapeshifting aliens are cosplaying at a ball and the bounty hunter is there to stop them and mistakenly believes the Doctor is the alien he’s after.

[@Firegen1]

​@kurtwagner350 No that would be Versailles. Pompadour died in 1764. Bridgerton is set between 1813 and 1827.

[@kurtwagner350]

@@Firegen1 Someone should make one of those dumb costume drama romance shows set in Napoleonic France

[@nicolek2073]

"this is not a conference for like... dentists" Well, actually dentists have really nice conferences with mood lighting AND tapestries

[@KathyTincler]

'Mood lighting and tapestries'.....yes we all know what professionals do at THEIR conferences! LOL

[@SpookyStag2015]

i had no idea you could contact your bank about getting scammed! thank you for the advice, swell! but thanks to watching your videos, im pretty positive i won't be getting scammed anytime soon💀

[@ApricotDays]

Credit cards too! If you get scammed and payed with a credit card contact the credit card company and they (usally) take up for you

[@bishielurfer]

Keep in mind it's not a guarantee though. It's usually pretty cut and dry if your information gets stolen, and credit cards are usually pretty good about handling it if you never receive a product. But false advertising is a bit more complex because you voluntarily gave the company money for a product or service that you technically received. If it's a well-known scam, credit cards and banks will often be aware of it (and may even flag the transaction before it goes through), but in general it's not necessarily a sure thing if you dispute. Doesn't hurt to try though.

[@TheMichigami]

also have to be careful if the scam is an event or organization pretending to be a charity, it can be more difficult, its part of why a lot of fandom conventions and such file as 501c and 501c3 for their tax stuff to pretend they're nonprofits and count their attendee payments as nonrefundable donations so that banks and cards can't refund them or do chargebacks in the event of shady goings on. there's been a couple anime and comic cons who burned their attendees pretty badly this past year weaponizing it and refusing refunds during staff boycotts and strikes. also a couple charity events who just straight up vanished with the proceeds and banks wouldn't process against em because they were a charity on paper even though they were just a scam in reality. most of the time the banks will side with you and get your money back after a process though, some only if within a certain time window.

[@ctcstan1406]

I've done it with cancelled flights too and it worked! Highly recommend to contact your bank

[@pillbugm8914]

As some other comments have pointed out, always dispute the charge and leave a paper trail but banks sometimes won't refund you, especially if the transaction was conducted in-person and not remotely/online.

[@t1dotaku]

Yes!!!! I knew you were going to cover this!!! As someone from Detroit I've been enjoying watching the Scammerton Ball Trainwreck.

[@lnd.ventra5162]

I’m from detroit too and I’m glad I didn’t get tickets 😂

[@weirdhousewivesclub]

This is not the way I was hoping Amanda would first cover an event in my state 😂 the thing that's a shame is that they could have very easily put together a "Bridgerton ball" style event in the Detroit area - there are plenty of talented musicians, food vendors, other entertainment talent, we have a really good renn faire so you could find some actors, etc. It's like they just didn't try.

[@elcie04]

Of course they didn't. The goal wasn't to do an amazing event. The goal was to charge a ton of money for tickets and do the absolutely bare minimum.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Not the queen saying What up doe😭😭 so so so Detroit

[@anarchyneverdies3567]

I think the only thing I'd have enjoyed there was the queen greeting me with "waddup tho" 😂😂😂 hell yeah

[@Anonyname313]

It’s doe not though lol. It’s a very Detroit phrase.

[@anarchyneverdies3567]

@@Anonyname313 😂😂😂 my bad

[@ThimsNire]

my dream event to attend one day is the Regency Ball in Bath (which is part of the Jane Austen Festival and has been running for years)

[@gracenelson2705]

Oh that sounds amazing ❤

[@takochiba9151]

My tiny home town has a fancy dance every year. They book a historic building. They book a traditional band. The band plays the hits of yesteryear. All the attendees dress up nice and dance. It is organised by local grannies and grampas.

[@ohnoitsjandyn7205]

I actually went to this event and it seriously was just as bad as people say. The diamond of the season was chosen, and I still swear the only reason that happened was bc my boyfriend was running around asking anyone and everyone about it. Eventually he found someone working the event, and she was HEAVILY DRUNK and he convinced her to make it happen. Absolutely nuts. I also handmade my dress over the course of 6 months only to be sooooo dissatisfied with the experience lmao. It was still a fun night because of my awesome friends and boyfriend. 💕

[@drewgoin8849]

I sincerely hope you are able to find another, more joyful event to wear your dress to in the future. My heart goes out to you!

[@ohnoitsjandyn7205]

​@@drewgoin8849 I'm putting it in my portfolio for school so it's not fully going to waste!

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

Your boyfriend is a real one. I know if my friend did all that for an event I'd want to do something to try and make it right.

[@neaseynease8]

Post you in the dress.

[@irkalla100]

Agreed that the Glasgow thing was mostly about the AI use. This? Maybe a mini Fyre Fest? Or a ..oh, a Dash Con! 😂 PS: damn, rocking that princess look! You're a fashion star, Amanda!

[@SweeneyPotter202]

I want to create fantasy balls and events so badly. Honestly, Amanda has been the best source of what to do and what not to do! Thank you, Amanda you do amazing work!

[@tom_j.]

Evil (willy wonka experience) doesn't die, it reinvents itself

[@ChargerBulldogs19]

Must not forget the original sin, Dashcon

[@BennetRenard]

13:40 - I know you probably said "for The Cut" as in the magazine. But I SWEAR I heard "for The Cu(n)t."

[@bishielurfer]

Good to know it wasn't just me 😅

[@valloriebarnes9800]

I heard it!!

[@user-is7xs1mr9y]

I can clearly hear an "n" 😭

[@farmland_femmebot]

She 100% said it 😂

[@joyofcookies]

Hosting events is a labor of love (like the MGScon) or an advertising opportunity (like the Queen’s Ball). Anytime I’ve paid for a booth to sell my goods at a market event, I usually just barely make my money back. I don’t do it for the profit; but for the local, in-person exposure.

[@monicaenns9967]

I had heard about this, and was blessed to tell my Bridgerton fan friend! Her face after I said there was 1 violinist, and then her face when I said there was 1 pole dancer!, I will treasure forever

[@ramshamemon9684]

The Queen Charlotte bit sent me😂😂😂

[@LostLifetimes]

18:40, this is a problem with a Lot of themed events, their marketing actually relies on how well their guests dress. Larpers costumes make Larps look good more than the organizers

[@yourfuturewaifu9061]

Yeah, events need build up too. Conventions and such typically don't become overnight sensations. They develop a reputation and therefore can have better vendors, more guests, etc.

[@Itsaudriscott]

So Cal Swifties threw an Evermore ball recently and I didn’t go but it looked super cute and fun! It seemed like they really did a lot of prep and put in a lot of effort for themed details, I agree the people want more balls!!

[@AVSANCHEZ]

I knew you were going to talk about it. Thanks for the video. I felt so band for the violin player and the pole dancer when the drama began.

[@t1dotaku]

My biggest issue is she's not just a pole dancer, she does aerial performances as well. She says in her video talking about it that should would have loved to have done something with the silks since it would have fit the theme better. The event ASKED for pole dancing and requested that outfit.

[@hilarykristina]

in regards to house lights only for dentists....I am a doctor and our medical conferences have really nice curtains, signs and mood lighting. Honestly would love your reaction to the exhibition hall at a medical conference.

[@k.bart.parkinglot]

Did I already watch like three people cover this? Yes. Was I waiting for the Swell video? Absolutely

[@michelles9666]

My city had a Jane Austen (essentially Regency) themed dance for years before Covid and I heard a ton of good things about it (I’m the only Austen nerd in my friend group and didn’t want to go alone). So I agree with Amanda that having a regency or Austen theme event would have attracted a lot of people, including Bridgerton fans, if it was advertised correctly.

[@esanluis]

I saw the news a couple of days ago and immediately thought: this is pure gold for a Swell video. Yes!

[@DimaRakesah]

I have been a Renaissance performer for over a decade, and the lack of theming to this event is just insane to me. Our queen would never greet patrons with "What up?" like what the hell? Our actors do such a good job of being "in character" that it's actually a game to try to trick each other to make them break character. 😂Usually it's on the last day of a faire that performers will try to find ways to be so ridiculous that their fellow actors are laughing too hard to stay in character. One of my favorite instances was the last day of faire when the queen was having a contest to choose her next suitor, and one of the contestants arrived in a duckie onsie and did their entire performance speaking in "quack quack". One of the challenges was to recite a classical french love poem, to which this contestant recited "Le Quack" in full on Shakespearean style drama mode. The Queen was dying laughing and everyone was in stitches! 🤣 Pro tip. go to faire on the last day to see some shenanigans!

[@jaysax7381]

We truly can’t have shit in Detroit 😔. But omg I was almost going to try and go to this I am SO glad I decided not to. I see local ads for Bridgerton, saltburn, brat themed events constantly I have to wonder if they’re all like this

[@haileys5224]

The organizers really didn’t think twice about hiring a performer (who could preform for the crowd with Ariel skills) was hired to strip alongside the HIGHSCHOOL aged violinist. They really didn’t see a problem with that?

[@icekraze07]

I’m certain the original Bridgerton Ball put on by Netflix lost money. The point was great, authentic advertising. Have it cost enough that people are invested (will dress up and participate) but cheap enough that they ensure a full house. Great marketing plan as it would advertise the show and cheaper than many different marketing promotions. But there is no way the ball paid for itself. As for the Detroit one… the least they could have done is get a more interesting venue. I know they lost their original one, but there are so many amazing venue in Detroit that would have made interesting backdrops on their own. The art museum is one that comes to mind… and honestly their prices are pretty reasonable.

[@tananario23]

Netflix didn’t lose much money, they had sponsors. And the point wasn’t to make money. It’s advertising/pr/social media content. All they had to do was cover costs.

[@mxandrew]

I wonder if the venues in Detroit know this company and don’t have the best impression.

[@icekraze07]

@@mxandrew that is the likely answer. Or they wanted to go with the absolute cheapest option not considering that decor costs money and chargebacks are a thing.

[@ashb7846]

I’ve been to a Harry Potter “Yule Ball” type event that was lots of fun, good food, themed favors to take home, a photo booth. It wasn’t cheap but for what was included and the general atmosphere of getting dressed up fancy to mingle with other fans it was worthwhile.

[@tinfoilballoon8362]

not only did i know you'd be making this video, but the MINUTE i heard an inkling of this drama i told myself i'm not gonna look anything up 'cause I wanna hear it from one of my fave storytellers first. thank you for your continued work swell!

[@UnderworldPriestess_444]

it's literally giving school dance. it's giving my elementary school graduation 😬🤯

[@gaerekxenos]

Sadly, school dances do a better job still =/ with lighting and such... >

[@inhobiswinecellar9571]

As someone whose renounced all tiktok/ig/X for the rest of the year-i devour these niche topic video essays like theyre my daily paper❤

[@smsmsmsmsmsm]

This is the most Detroit thing 😭 greens, cornbread, pole dancer, ‘what up’? Ahahaha

[@MimiVorosmarthy]

Amanda, I love how articulate you are and it truly feels so fortunate to be able to access your content for free

[@NiaNo5060]

I love the nod to bridgerton in your outfit

[@joydivisionfanclub]

as someone who’s from detroit and completely out of the loop for most things imagine how much this video jumpscared me

[@piperevelyn2446]

"Glasgow experience" kids these days don't remember Dashcon

[@FayeVert]

The Bridgerton extra hour in the Ball pit

[@JujRosie]

My friend was really trying to get me to go to this event. Like she kept on sending me the reels advertising it, my gut instinct was no. They were using a lot of the clips from the Netflix party and I saw nothing on the official bridgerton party site. The price was my biggest red flag. And we didn’t go, she messaged me after it blew up thanking me for not wanting to go.

[@Alexander_Darling]

I went to the Midnight Renaissance by Enchanted Events in London a couple years back. It was done so well, a string quartet, singers, group dances, games and snacks. It was such a fun evening! Although the company really disappeared off the face of the earth afterwards after trying and failing to organise another event. Don’t know if its because they made too big a loss or were too ambitious following their initial success

[@xtuffcookiex]

I’m so confused why a pole dancer was hired. The queen actor and violin makes sense but, pole dancer ?

[@maurinet2291]

I feel like the organizers wanted to profit on Bridgerton but didn't really understand it. Maybe they thought a sexy pole dancer could distract everyone from the other issues?

[@SirThinks2Much]

@@maurinet2291 or maybe they thought that attendees wouldn't *actually* be into stately Regency historical fantasy stuff, it needed to be sexed up like an episode of Game of Thrones

[@francesca234]

Another video had statements from the dancer and she had different types of dancing including aerial silk dancing. The dancer I believe said the pole dancing was the cheapest of the options so it might have been picking a dancer that could have provided a more interesting or closer to theme option but picking the cheapest service offered.

[@jazzycat8917]

Shes a dancer and aerialist, she offered to do acrobatic silks which would have been luxe and on theme but the organisers said no (coz they cheap)

[@clownfromclowntown]

@@jazzycat8917 tbf though even silk dancing would not be on theme. It would make a lot more sense to hire a dance instructor and have them teach some basic regency era/ballroom dance moves, not just have an ambient dancer, pole or otherwise

[@Nadia1989]

I can't watch any Bridgerton related without thinking about Meme Mom and her videos dissecting their... "interesting" choices in the clothes department. Anyway, any event of this kind needs at list someone playing the time traveler part. Bonus points if it's cosplay.

[@Wh00000]

Honestly I’d find it hilarious if someone dressed up as the queen greeted me that way.

[@saragredler3391]

Friends and I went to "The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience" in Denver in fall 2022. It was definitely meant to be an interactive experience (one that you could make as much or as little of as you wanted) based on your comfort level. No food, photos available, drinks, the shop area, and then the main reception area with the queen - we paid $89 apiece. I can't imagine paying over $150 for ... this.

[@salc0000]

Interestingly Netfliix hosted a bunch of Bridgerton events and a dressed up a whole little town in Australia this year (Bowral). I believe Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton even came along to do promo for Season 3. I have no idea how Netflix even heard about a rural town of 10,000 people but it was so cute anyway!

[@alaska2026]

I love your intro with the glasses. It makes me smile everytime i watch a new video of yours. please don't change it 😄

[@nineten-eu4ig]

I just felt personally attacked when you said it was like a conference for dentists😂 because I'm attending one next week.

[@ohjordyn8312]

Yay I'm glad you decided to do a video about this. Some of ur video topics lately haven't been for me but I'm down to watch this one!

[@winterburden]

Thanks for this swell ball video Swell!

[@gaphic]

someone was trying to organize one of these events in my town and they were charging THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS+ per ticket, with NO CATERING. the price didn't even include bar access

[@Alex-yg7tv]

A stripper at a bridgerton themed ball is wild

[@bdink2605]

I’m from Michigan so I’m just excited to hear you talk about something from Michigan but also I’m too old to keep up with everything on TikTok (I’m only 28) so I needed this summarization 😂

[@bellenotbella]

I attended Second Star Events' first-ever event (The Neverland Ball) in NYC last year and I'm now realizing how lucky we as the attendees were to have found a fantasy ball that was so well-organized for having been the first time that group put on an event.

[@Evamythwood]

Second Star is great!!

[@patrick_goldman]

If the mic arm is bothersome, I think elgato is releasing a nice microphone arm that can be better positioned so it's not as obtrusive. The Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro.

[@sarahoftheice]

So, the Bridgerton musical could have been a legit musical and they could have actually done the performance, BUT the creators decided to not take Netflix’s offer for some trademarks. Netflix offered it to them several times, too.

[@toddsutherland]

If a dancer is performing I am always hyping them up and tipping 😤 no exceptions

[@tananario23]

4:07 It was a LOT more than a charity fundraiser. They were planning on making a truckload of money.

[@CosmicFox808]

Someone else mentioned this in a comment, but it bears repeating: Amanda, please plan and hold your own event!! After all of these analyses of terrible events, I feel like you're in a unique position to be able to handle everything and make something really cool!

[@jupiterj1065]

Tumblr dashcon: bridgerton edition 😂

[@enidcaballero7623]

I went to the official one in NYC. It was stunning. The decor the food the music. It was interactive. The queen the actors and the dancers were awesome. They also had many photo opportunities with real photographers. And yes clothes and props from the show. It was a gift from my husband and it was perfect. Oh and I got diamond. 😊

[@Unfortunately_Mickey]

You're the only person who's opinion I wanted to hear on this 😂

[@twilighterification]

I have never been so early to a Swell video 😅 I love your takes in these disastrous events!

[@CardInal-h2j]

A decade from DashCon. History is doomed to repeat itself

[@splashofmilk]

i’ve been WAITING for this one turn it up!

[@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin]

Omg just call it a cotillion. No trademark issues.

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

For years in Detroit, Theater Bizarre Masquerade was a popular event to dress up for. I'd recommend it if they were running this year. :\

[@mjoberg6695]

My friends booked an airnb for my bachelorette. They got a lakeside cabin and then didn't let me outside until they had hung flowers from the pergola, strung up some lights and set a beautiful table (white table cloth, napkins, flowers). They also made themed cupcakes. Another friend decorated glasses. They did this for a *bachelorette* and it was so beautiful and lovely and I will forever be grateful. Imagining bringing even half of that effort to this event!

[@Gen_Is_Sus]

Sinners and Stardust had their first book converntion/ball and it was one of the best expieriences I've ever had at something like that ( I was a volueenter). It was in August in Boston and I can't wait to be back again next year.

[@Jayfive276]

26:56 - *YEAH WE DO.*

[@MegaVyruss]

thats why im so happy that in Boston for the ladies in the trades we have gala every year held by BUTS (Boston Union Trade Sisters) (we also find the name hysterical) and it's an excuse to dress up fancy in the summer drink dance and have fun

[@_Chlorophyllis]

This is Dashcon experience. Get it right, people

[@Kasamira]

3:00 “The fantasy of the Glasgow Experience” my dumbass trying to figure out what happened at WorldCon this year that was so awful 😭

[@charismajyyks]

Close enough, welcome back dashcon

[@tapirsareunder-appreciated2272]

Wait wait wait - I'm in Cincinnati, and I've been passing a billboard for the "Bridgerton Experience come to Cincinnati" for a month or two. I wonder if they still plan on following through with their other events. Like, they CAN'T if they dissolved the company, right? Unless this is an official Netflix-approved event, but then I don't think it would be called "Bridgerton-inspired" in the description.

[@mjewrites]

I’m in Cincinnati too and I’ve also seen ads for that around! It’s a different company throwing it, I think. After googling I found there’s actually 2, one thrown by the AACC at Music Hall and another at Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN which annoyingly is advertised as being in Cincy when it’s clearly not, but as a fellow cincinnatian I’m sure you’re familiar with that experience lol.

[@humanremainzz]

i have NEVER been this early to a swell vid

[@carolinesch.]

I have been to a couple balls, that are just an event and dancing with food and a Band in Ball dresses at a local bigger Restaurant that does weddings usually organised by a local youth club. Like most people organising that are under 25 and it always works out so I dont get how they fail with sonething that easy. You pay a couple bucks for a Ticket, the location is doing the food and its basically just booking the ballroom on a day that they have Business anyway to they are working and the kitchen is running. You pay for the food they usually would have, so they make money just as if the location would be fully booked, security is done by the Club and their actual adult people running it and all you need to pay is a local Band. Thats it

[@snestah]

I now really want to have been at that meeting right before the event where the organizers were like "what do we need? dancer? yeah, pole dancer -- go get one."

[@liz-annedriece1699]

I knew it! Heard about it and thought, I am already looking forward to this video

[@perkon_]

This event gives me the feeling of "School Dance in a small broke town"

[@catbee5803]

As someone who lives in Glasgow... the Glasgow Experience sounds like something very different to the event you're referring to when you say that. 😂

[@ravenwilson6327]

My Friend owns Mystic Fate! They do a really great job with their balls and the organization of them!

[@lilkeyla5769]

Foor once i actually saw a video on this issue before this one, wild for your thought bc it was insane lol still not over the pole dancer