The dance known as Cotillion came from France in the 1700s and was originally made up of four couples in a square formation.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. "

A Debutante Ball is a formal presentation of young ladies, debutantes, to polite society. A debutante ( deb or presentation ball (from the French débutante, "female beginner" is a young lady from an aristocratic or It is in use in the United States, more so in the South, and some other countries. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive 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. Participants in wedding ceremonies, also known as the wedding party, include the bride and groom (or bridegroom) the maid of honor Participants in wedding ceremonies, also known as the wedding party, include the bride and groom (or bridegroom) the maid of honor

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

Arizona

• Phoenix:
  • Board of Visitors Ball (formerly St. Alabama (formally the State of Alabama;) is a State located in the southern region of the United States of America. Birmingham (ˈbɝmɪŋhæm is the largest City in the US state of Alabama and is the County seat of Jefferson County. The Ball of Roses, is a well established Debutante ball in Birmingham Alabama. Huntsville is a city in Madison and Limestone Counties in the U The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, Lukes Ball)
  • Scottsdale Honors Cotillion
  • Phoenix Honors Cotillion
  • Desert Foundation Auxiliary (DFA) Ball (http://www.dfaaz.org/)
  • Brophy/Xavier Cotillion

A souvenir recording released by Verve Records in the summer of 1959 featuring longtime San Francisco bandleader Ernie Heckscher playing for The Cotillion at The Fairmont. Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group. The Fairmont San Francisco is a luxury Hotel in the Nob Hill district of San Francisco California. The cover photo models are the previous winter's debutantes and their escorts

California

• Los Angeles:
  • Las Madrinas Ball, which benefits Children's Hospital Los Angeles. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Las Madrinas Ball is a debutante ball held in Los Angeles California by Las Madrinas (Spanish the Godmothers) an organization founded in Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is a private non-profit teaching hospital in Los Angeles.
• Newport Beach:
  • Debutante's Cotillion
• San Francisco:
  • The Cotillion
  • San Francisco Debutante Ball
• La Jolla:
  • La Jolla Debutante Ball

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. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city La Jolla (ləˈhɔɪə "luh-HOY-uh") is a wealthy Seaside resort community of up to 42808 residents within the city of San Diego, California The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. The City and County of Denver (pronounced /ˈdɛnvɚ/ is the Capital and the most populous city of Colorado, in the United States
  • Bal de Ballet, which benefits the Colorado Ballet.
  • Colorado Junior Cotillion [2]
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • The Debutante Ball in support of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center's

Connecticut

• Greenwich
  • Junior League of Greenwich Cotillion

Delaware

• Wilmington:
  • The Holly Ball

District of Columbia

• Washington, D.C.:
  • The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball, celebrating the 59th Anniversary in 2008, and benefiting the Children's National Medical Center. The City of Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the County seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. Delaware ( is a state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball of Washington D 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  • The Washington Holiday Ball, held annually over Christmas at the Mayflower Hotel

Florida

• Jacksonville
  • The Magnolia Ball
  • Commodore's Ball
• Lakeland
  • Lakeland Assemblies Cotillion Club
• Orlando
  • The Bridgadette Club Inc. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Lakeland is a City in Polk County Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida.
• Sarasota
  • Sarasota Cotillion Club
  • Sarasota Debutante Ball

Georgia

• Atlanta:
  • The Harvest Ball
  • The Christmas Ball
• Augusta:
  • Cotillion of the Rosa T. Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the state of Florida in the United States. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Augusta Georgia is a city in Richmond County, Georgia, United States. Beard Debutante Club
  • Augusta Symphony Guild Cotillion
• Columbus:
  • The Cotillion Ball
• Savannah:
  • The Christmas Cotillion

Illinois

• Chicago:
  • The Passavant Cotillion
  • The Christmas Ball

Indiana

• Indianapolis:
  • The Dramatic Club Presentation of Daughters, held at Christmastime every other year. Columbus is a City in Muscogee County, Georgia, United States. Savannah is a city located in the state of Georgia, United States. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union It is conducted by The Dramatic Club, founded in 1890.

Kansas

• Wichita
  • The Cotillion

Kentucky

• Lexington:
  • The Bluegrass Charity Ball
• Frankfort:
  • Investor's Hertaige

Louisiana

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

Maryland

• Baltimore:
  • The Bachelor's Cotillion

Massachusetts

• Boston:
  • The Boston Cotillion, which benefits the Vincent Memorial Hospital. Kansas ( is a Midwestern state in the central region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the American " Wichita (ˈwɪtʃɪtaː is the most populous City in the US state of Kansas, and the county seat of Sedgwick County. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Lexington (officially Lexington-Fayette Urban County is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 68th largest in the United States. Frankfort is a city in the US commonwealth of Kentucky that serves as the state Capital and the County seat of Franklin County. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Baton Rouge (French Bâton-Rouge ˌbætən ˈruːdʒ in English, and in French) is the capital city of Louisiana. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Shreveport is the third-largest city and the principal city of the third largest Metropolitan area in the U The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. The Boston Cotillion is the main annual Debutante ball held in Boston Massachusetts, in the United States.

Michigan

• Detroit:
  • UESA Detroit Chapter Debutante Ball. Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America.
  • White Rose Ball (Hungarian Arts Club)founded in 1958.
• Lansing:
  • Les Meres et Debutantes.

Mississippi

• Jackson:
  • The annual ball of The Debutante Club, founded in 1933. Mississippi ( is a state located in the Deep South of the United States

Missouri

• Kansas City:
  • The Jewel Ball, founded in 1954, which benefits the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony. Missouri ( or) is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages The Jewel Ball is the main annual Debutante ball held in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is an art museum in Kansas City, Missouri. The Kansas City Symphony ( KCS) is a United States symphony orchestra based in Kansas City, Missouri.
  • The Belles of the American Royal Ball (abbreviated "BOTAR"), which benefits the annual American Royal. The American Royal in Kansas City Missouri is a Livestock show, Horse show and Rodeo held each year in October and November at Kemper
• 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. The Veiled Prophet Ball (commonly referred to as the VP Ball) is a Debutante Cotillion held each December in St Year 1878 ( MDCCCLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations Louisans
  • 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. The Fleur de Lis Ball is a Cotillion (or Debutante ball in St The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The fleur-de-lys (or fleur-de-lis, plural fleurs-de-lis ˌfləː(rdəˈliː (ˌfləː(rdəˈlɪs in Quebec) translated from French as "lily This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital is a Hospital in St Louis Missouri named after the Catholic Cardinal John J

Nebraska

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

New Mexico

• Albuquerque:
  • The Senorita Ball

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
  • Le Bal des Berceaux ("The Cradle Ball") is New York's Spring débutante ball and benefits needy children in the U. Nebraska ( is a state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States and New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The City of New York The Viennese Opera Ball in New York is an annual society ball that has taken place in New York City each year since 1956 Quadrille Ball is an annual society ball that has taken place in New York City each year since 1961 usually in January or February S. and France.
  • 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 2006, 2008, 2010
  • 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
• Rochester, New York
  • The Bachelors' Cotillion, a white tie ball at The Genesee Valley Club held since 1902. The International Debutante Ball is a formal ball to present ladies to society within New York City 's Waldorf Astoria at Manhattan. Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Gentleman aged 22-35 are selected by a committee from prominent families in the community. It is one of few "Gentlemans" balls in the country.
  • The Lilac Ball, held each spring, debuts around 30 young ladies from the community aged between 18-20. Held in conjunction with the city's famous Lilac Festival, it benefits local hospitals.

North Carolina

• Charlotte
• Durham
  • The Debutante and Christmas Ball
• Greensboro:
  • Greensboro Symphony Presentation Ball [3], 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. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States Durham is a city in the US state of North Carolina. It is the County seat of Durham County Raleigh (pronounced rah-lee) is the Capital of the State of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County, USA

Ohio

• Cincinnati:
  • The Bachelor's Cotillion held during the Christmas season. Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads
• 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

Oregon

• Portland:
  • The Portland Holiday Cotillion Ball

Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia:
  • The Assembly of Philadelphia (dating from 1748), an elite private party held annually around Christmas. Cleveland is a City in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States, in the southwestern portion of the state Miami University (colloquially and incorrectly referred to as Miami of Ohio for clarification purposes is a Coeducational Public university founded in 1809 Oregon ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Private membership and guests attend. Cotillon is danced.
  • The Philadelphia Charity Ball (founded 1884), a debutante ball held at Thanksgiving every year for Philadelphian families, 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. Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
  • The Medallion Ball, named for the medallion each debutante receives from the city's Catholic bishop

South Carolina

• Charleston:
  • The St. Cecilia Ball

• Greenville:
  • The Assembly

• Spartanburg:
  • Magnolia Debutante Club Ball

Tennessee

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

Texas

• Dallas:
  • Idlewild Club (1884), Terpsichorean Club (1898), & Calyx Club (1911) Balls
  • Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball
  • La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas
  • University of Dallas Winter Cotillion
• Fort Worth:
  • The Assembly Ball
  • Steeplechase Ball
  • Ambassador Ball
  • Fort Worth Assembly 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

Vermont

• Springfield:
  • Apple Blossom Cotillion

Virginia

• Lynchburg:
  • The Spinsters Ball
• 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

Washington

• Seattle:
  • The Christmas Ball

References

External links

• Australian Balls

• The Beautillion Militaire

• San Francisco Beautillion

• New York: Bal des Berceaux