Since I relocated to the Raleigh area this past November, I had been looking forward to attending the Clockwork Ball.  Still wrapped up with my move, I missed the one on New Year’s Eve, so i was very pleased to be able to attend the Ball on February 14th, at Mansion 462 on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC.   Though I had driven up from Florida for the Eccentrik Festival back in November,  the night of the Clockwork Ball was the first time I had wandered down Franklin Street since I was a staff member at UNC-CH back in 1988.  Arriving early, we walked from Mansion 462 nearly to the campus and back.

Much has changed since I was in Chapel Hill 20 years ago, but many things were familiar.  Stopping by Hell, now closed, I took a picture of the now forlorn and empty site of Eccentrik.   Hector’s was gone from the familiar corner across from the campus, and sadly I have heard that it may be gone for good.  Schoolkid’s Records, which we called ‘skids’, is also gone.  But one thing hasn’t changed: there is no animosity on the streets and you can dress anyway you wish. In South Florida, looking different from the mainstream draws jeers and worse even on the college campuses.  On Franklin, my derby and demonia boots didn’t even draw a glance.   I saw several people obviously heading for the Clockwork Ball.  One young man was wearing a top hat and cape, and a rather inebriated man in t-shirt and shorts gave him a thms up and a hearty “you look great, man!”  What a difference from South Florida!

Frm my experiences at the Eccentrik Festival, I knew that the Clockwork Ball would be a fine event, but I was still impressed.   I cannot imagine a better place to hold the Clockwork Ball than Mansion 462.  BIlled as “upscale club committed to bringing members and their guests the best”, Mansion 462 certainly lives up to its credo!  With an elegant decor that would not look out of place in the Victorian era, with polished wood furnishings, tasteful artwork, and muted lighting.  There was comfortable seating, and a small, yet roomy dance floor.  Staff were courteous and welcoming in an old school manner. The bartender/owner is skilled and friendly, earning my immediate respect by letting my Guinness sit for a moment or two before filling the glass.

Emmett and Klaude were charming, as usual.  Along with the other DJ’s , they did a splendid job in the booth.  Along with quintessential Steampunk slections, the DJ’s spun everything from New Wave to Punk.  The diverse and yet very appropriate repertoire included The Squirrel Nut Zippers; Rasputina; The Extraordinary Gentlemen;   Marlene Detrich; Lemming Malloy; Adam Ant; Abney Park; The Smiths: The Decembrists; Lenard Cohen; and even Johnny Cash.  (See the entire setlist on the Clockwork Ball’s myspace page!)

Even more importantly, everyone was friendly!  Regardless of whether they were dressed to the nines or just wearing jeans, you could chat with anyone.  I was delighted to meet none other than the members of Lemming Malloy.  Ursula was very nice, and we chatted about the local Renaissance Faire.  I have forgotten the names of all the nice people I spoke with.   There were some very interesting and elaborate outfits, including “the wind-up girl”.   But you didn’t need to be dressed in Neo-Victorian fashions to have a good time on the dance floor, and everyone did.

I was taken on a frantic tour of some nearby clubs by Danny, a local character.   We stopped in Tallulla’s which hosts a fabulous Bollywood night and was standing room only. The fabulous Firehouse Rhythm Kings were playing a few doors down, and luckily we caught their last song or two.  We headed back to the Clockwork Ball for more fun and great music before the evening unfortunately came to a close.

In the true spirit of the Underground, the Clockwork Ball is all about community and great music.  I look forward to the next one!  In the meantime, tune into the Clockwork Cabaret, hosted by Emmett and Klaude on  WCOM 103.5 LP-FM  on Mondays at 11PM if you are in the Chapel Hill area  or listen live at http://www.communityradio.coop to the “music o’ gears”

http://www.myspace.com/theclockworkball

http://www.forgottensisterproductions.com/