The dance known as Cotillion came from France in the 1700s and was originally made up of four couples in a square formation. The Cotillion was one of many contredanses or "country dances" where the participants (especially those from royalty) gathered to introduce themselves and to flirt with other dancers through the exchange of partners within the formation network of the dance. By the 1800s, the Cotillion evolved into more couples with many complex dance figures and was the forerunner of the Quadrille. American square dance is a form of contredanse that also descended from the Cotillion. The direct translation from French to English of the word "Cotillion" is the word "petticoat' but the more appropriate translation is the word "ballgown." Cotillion can refer to: Cotillion, a formal presentation of young ladies, debutantes, to polite society. ...

A Debutante Ball is a formal presentation of young ladies, debutantes, to polite society. It is in use in the United States, more so in the South, and some other countries. Debutantes are usually recommended by a distinguished committee or sponsored by an established member of elite society. Modern debutante balls are often charity events; the parents of the debutante donate a certain amount of money to the designated cause, and the invited guests pay for their tickets. These balls may be elaborate formal affairs and involve not only "debs" but junior debutantes, escorts and ushers, flower girls and pages as well A debutante (or deb) (from the French débutante, female beginner) is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal presentation known as her debut or coming out. Originally... Historic Southern United States. ... The bride and flowergirl share a moment. ... A page is a young male attendant at a wedding or cotillion. ...

In the United States, Cotillion has become training that children and young adults attend to learn manners and proper social behavior in the context of formal dance. The participants dress up in formal attire and some cotillions emphasize the use of white gloves. Modern day Cotillion takes the form of classes and parties. These programs use dance as an interactive tool that breaks down inhibitions and teaches important social skills. Some of the dances currently taught include waltz, fox trot, tango, swing, cha cha and many other ballroom dances. The parties are typically "graduation" parties usually held after a series of classes. At the party, the students sit together in tables in the front while the family members sit in tables in the back. A master of ceremony guides the evening and, if funds are sufficient, dinner and an orchestra may be included. Usually after each dance, a couple may be recognized with a modest prize for best executing that dance.

Some notable debutante balls in the United States

Alabama

• Birmingham
  • The Ball of Roses
• Huntsville
  • The Symphony Ball

This article is about the U.S. State. ... Nickname: Location in Jefferson County in the state of Alabama Coordinates: , Country State Counties Jefferson, Shelby Incorporated December 19, 1871 Government  - Type Mayor - Council  - Mayor Bernard Kincaid (Current) Larry Langford (Mayor-Elect) Area  - City 151. ... The Ball of Roses, is a well established debutante ball in Birmingham, Alabama. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ...

Arizona

• Phoenix:
  • Board of Visitors Ball (formerly St. Lukes Ball)
  • Scottsdale Honors Cotillion
  • Phoenix Honors Cotillion
  • Desert Foundation Auxiliary (DFA) Ball (http://www.dfaaz.org/)

Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ...

California

• Los Angeles:
  • Las Madrinas Ball, which benefits Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
• Newport Beach:
  • Debutante's Cotillion
• San Francisco:
  • The Cotillion
  • San Francisco Debutante Ball

This article is about the U.S. state. ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... Las Madrinas Ball is a debutante ball held in Los Angeles, California by Las Madrinas (Spanish, the Godmothers), an organization founded in 1933 to provide financial support to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its medical research programs. ... Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (founded 1901) is a private, non-profit teaching hospital in Los Angeles. ... Newport Harbor redirects here. ... San Francisco redirects here. ...

Colorado

• Denver:
  • Fine Arts Foundation Summer Debutante Ball [1], held yearly at the University of Denver, which benefits the Fine Arts Foundation, an organization supporting the arts in Colorado.
  • Bal de Ballet, which benefits the Colorado Ballet.
  • Colorado Junior Cotillion [2]

Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Nickname: Location of Denver in Colorado Location of Colorado in the United States Coordinates: , Country State Founded [1] November 22, 1858 Incorporated November 7, 1861 Government  - Type Strong Mayor/Weak Council  - Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) Area [1]  - City & County  154. ...

Connecticut

• Greenwich
  • Junior League of Greenwich Cotillion

Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport[3] Largest metro area Hartford Metro Area[2] Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[4] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ... Location in Connecticut Coordinates: , NECTA Region Settled 1640 Joined Connecticut 1656 Government  - Type Representative town meeting  - First selectman Peter Tesei  - Town administrator Edward Gomeau  - Town meeting moderator Thomas J. Byrne Area  - Total 174. ...

District of Columbia

• Washington, D.C.:
  • The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball, which had its 58th Anniversary in 2007, and benefits the Children's National Medical Center.
  • The Washington Holiday Ball, held annually at the Mayflower Hotel

... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... The National Debutante Cotillion of Washington, founded in 1950 by Mary Stuart Montague Price, daughter of Captain Price, USNA Class of 1917, is a formal presentation of young ladies to society that have been recommended by a distinguished committee. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Florida

• Jacksonville
  • The Magnolia Ball
  • Commodore's Ball
• Sarasota
  • Sarasota Cotillion Club
  • Sarasota Debutante Ball

This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... “Jacksonville” redirects here. ... Cà dZan - a 1925 Sarasota residence that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the central west coast of Florida, USA. Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of...

Georgia

• Atlanta:
  • The Harvest Ball
  • The Christmas Ball
• Augusta:
  • Cotillion of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club
  • Augusta Symphony Guild Cotillion
• Savannah:
  • The Christmas Cotillion

Atlanta redirects here. ... Augusta is a city in the state of Georgia in the United States of America. ... Savannah redirects here. ...

Illinois

• Chicago:
  • The Passavant Cotillion
  • The Christmas Ball

Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ...

Indiana

• Indianapolis:
  • The Dramatic Club Presentation of Daughters, held at Christmastime every other year. It is conducted by The Dramatic Club, founded in 1890.

For other uses, see Indiana (disambiguation). ... Indianapolis redirects here. ...

Kansas

• Wichita
  • The Cotillion

This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses, see Wichita (disambiguation). ...

Kentucky

• Lexington:
  • The Bluegrass Charity Ball

Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Nickname: Location in the Commonwealth of Kentucky Coordinates: , Country United States State Kentucky Counties Fayette Government  - Mayor Jim Newberry (D) Area  - City  285. ...

Louisiana

• Baton Rouge:
  • The Charity Ball
• New Orleans:
  • The Debutante Club Ball
  • Le Debut des Jeunes Filles de la Nouvelle Orleans
• Shreveport:
  • The Cotillion

This article is about the U.S. State. ... For the Canadian restaurant, see Baton Rouge (restaurant). ... NOLA redirects here. ... : Port City , River City , Ratchet City : The Next Great City of the South United States Louisiana Caddo 117. ...

Maryland

• Baltimore:
  • The Bachelor's Cotillion

Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N... Baltimore redirects here. ...

Massachusetts

• Boston:
  • The Boston Cotillion, which benefits the Vincent Memorial Hospital.

This article is about the U.S. state. ... Boston redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Michigan

• Detroit:
  • UESA Detroit Chapter Debutante Ball.

This article is about the U.S. State. ... Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Wayne County, Michigan Founded Incorporated July 24, 1701 1815  County Wayne County Mayor...

Mississippi

• Jackson:
  • The annual ball of The Debutante Club, founded in 1933.

This article is about the U.S. state. ... : Crossroads of the South : The city of Grace and Benevolence United States Mississippi Hinds, (very small portions in Madison and Rankin) 106. ...

Missouri

• Kansas City:
  • The Jewel Ball, founded in 1954, which benefits the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony.
  • The Belles of the American Royal Ball (abbreviated "BOTAR"), which benefits the annual American Royal.
• St. Louis:
  • The Veiled Prophet Ball, founded in 1878, which caters to the members of the Veiled Prophet Organization, a secret society of prominent St. Louisans [3]
  • Fleur de Lis Ball, a Roman Catholic ball founded in 1959, named after the symbol associated with French kings and the city's French heritage, which raises money for the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

This article is about the U.S. state. ... Nickname: Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ... The Jewel Ball is a debutante ball in Kansas City, Missouri. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as seen from Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard to the south The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the preeminent art museum in both Kansas City, Missouri, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Area as a whole. ... The Kansas City Symphony (KCS) is a a major United States symphony orchestra based in Kansas City, Missouri. ... The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November in the West Bottoms next to to Kemper Arena. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... Fair Saint Louis is an annual festival held during the July 4th holiday in downtown Saint Louis, Missouri, which some locals like to call Americas largest birthday party. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... For the Europe album, see Secret Society (Europe album). ... The Fleur de Lis Ball is a cotillion (or debutante ball) in St. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... SSM Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital is a hospital in St. ...

Nebraska

• Omaha:
  • Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball
  • Omaha Chapter of the Links Cotillion

Official language(s) English Capital Lincoln Largest city Omaha Largest metro area Omaha Area  Ranked 16th  - Total 77,421 sq mi (200,520 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 0. ... “Omaha” redirects here. ...

New Mexico

• Albuquerque:
  • The Senorita Ball

Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Largest metro area Albuquerque metropolitan area Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ... “Albuquerque” redirects here. ...

New York

• New York City:
  • The Junior Assemblies, a collection of debutante balls held annually which comprise the traditional "debutante season" of New York society
  • The Viennese Opera Ball in New York
  • The Quadrille Ball
  • The Northeastern Conference Coronation
  • The Infirmary Ball, officially called the "Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball," which benefits the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
  • The International Debutante Ball, held each even-numbered year
  • The Thanksgiving Eve Ball, held each year, benefits the charitable activities of the New York Junior League
  • The Paas Ball, held each year
  • The Annual Debutante Ball and Reception, held each year by the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of New York
  • The Debutante Cotillion of the Kosciuszko Foundation Annual Dinner

Butler Memorial United Methodist Church Bi-Annual Heritage Cotillion This article is about the state. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... An editor has expressed a concern that the subject of the article does not satisfy the notability guideline or one of the following guidelines for inclusion on Wikipedia: Biographies, Books, Companies, Fiction, Music, Neologisms, Numbers, Web content, or several proposals for new guidelines. ... An editor has expressed a concern that the subject of the article does not satisfy the notability guideline or one of the following guidelines for inclusion on Wikipedia: Biographies, Books, Companies, Fiction, Music, Neologisms, Numbers, Web content, or several proposals for new guidelines. ...

• • Rochester, New York
  • The Bachelor's Cotillion a white tie optional ball at The Genesee Valley Club 1951 to Present which was formally, called the Tumbleweeds est. in Rochester in 1902. http://www.bachelorscotillion.com/

North Carolina

• Charlotte
• Durham
  • The Debutante and Christmas Ball
• Greensboro:
  • Greensboro Symphony Presentation Ball [4], founded in 1978
• Raleigh:
  • The North Carolina Debutante Ball, held annually in September and sponsored by the Terpsichorean Club, a secret society of prominent Raleigh residents.

Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... Charlotte redirects here. ... Nickname: Location in North Carolina Coordinates: , Country State Counties Durham, Orange, Wake Government  - Mayor Bill Bell Area  - City  94. ... Greensboro redirects here. ... For other uses of this name, see Raleigh. ...

Ohio

• Cincinnati:
  • The Bachelor's Cotillion
• Cleveland:
  • The Assembly Ball
  • The Cotillion Society Ball
  • Jack & Jill Cotillion and Charity Ball
• Oxford:
  • Miami University Western Honors College Cotillion, held for college-aged men and women each autumn

This article is about the U.S. State. ... Cincinnati redirects here. ... Cleveland redirects here. ... Location of Oxford in Butler County, Ohio Oxford is a college town located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio in northwestern Butler County in Oxford Township, originally called the College Township. ... , This article is about the university in Oxford, Ohio. ...

Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia:
  • The Assembly of Philadelphia (dating from 1748), an elite private party held annually around Christmas. Private membership and guests attend. Cottillion is danced.
  • The Philadelphia Charity Ball (founded 1884), a debutante ball held at Thanksgiving every year for Philadelphian familes, drawing mostly on prep school graduates. Proceeds go to charities selected by the previous year's debutantes.
• Pittsburgh:
  • The Cinderella Ball, the 'second oldest debutante ball' in the country, founded in 1926.
  • The Medallion Ball, named for the medallion each debutante receives from the city's Catholic bishop

This article is about the U.S. State. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... Pittsburgh redirects here. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

South Carolina

• Charleston:
  • The St. Cecilia Ball

• Greenville:
  • The Assembly

Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... Nickname: Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ... The St. ... Greenville is a mid-sized city located in the upstate of South Carolina. ...

Tennessee

• Chattanooga:
  • The Cotton Ball
• Memphis:
  • The Holiday Ball
  • The Summer Presentation Ball

This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... “Chattanooga” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ...

Texas

• Dallas:
  • Idlewild
  • Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball
  • La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas
• Fort Worth:
  • Ambassador Ball
  • Assembly Ball
  • Steeplechase Ball
  • Hispanic Debutante Ball
• Houston:
  • Allegro Ball
  • Houston Country Club Thanksgiving Ball
  • The Assembly Ball
  • Bolero Ball
  • River Oaks Country Club Debutante Ball
  • Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball
• Tyler:
  • The Junior Symphony League Ball
  • The Texas Rose Festival

For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... Dallas redirects here. ... Nickname: Motto: Where the West Begins Location of Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas Coordinates: , Country State Counties Tarrant, Denton Government  - Mayor Michael J. Moncrief Area  - City 298. ... Houston redirects here. ... Tyler is the county seat of Smith County in East Texas, United States. ... The Texas Rose Festival is an annual event held in Tyler, Texas, that celebrates the role of the rose-growing industry in the local economy. ...

Vermont

• Springfield:
  • Apple Blossom Cotillion

This article is about the U.S. state. ... Springfield is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. ...

Virginia

• McLean:
  • Old Dominion Cotillion
• Norfolk:
  • The German, held each Thanksgiving by the Norfolk German Club
• Portsmouth:
  • The Thanksgiving Debutante Dinner-Dance, held each Thanksgiving by the Portsmouth Assembly
• Richmond:
  • The Bal Du Bois
  • The Richmond German
• Staunton:
  • The Spinsters Club of Staunton

This article is about the U.S. state. ... Boundaries of the McLean CDP as of 2003. ... Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ... Map Political Statistics Founded 1752 County Independent city Mayor Dr. James W. Holley III Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 120. ... Nickname: Motto: Sic dic Itur Ad Astra (Thus do we reach the stars) Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor L. Douglas Wilder (I) Area  - City 62. ... West Beverley Street in downtown Staunton Staunton (IPA: or STAN-tehn or STANT-en) is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. ...

Washington

• Seattle:
  • The Christmas Ball

For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ... Seattle redirects here. ...

References

External links

• The Beautillion Militaire

• San Francisco Beautillion

• New York: Bal des Berceaux

• Jon D. Williams Cotillions