Midwinter Ball at Kensington Palace

Crazy capers and decadent costumes London - Frédérique Andréani We love a good masquerade party, especially when it comes with some eerie Victorian psychic reading and festive tunes. So the prospect of a costumed ball organised in the majestic setting of Kensington Palace's Orangery can only appeal. Once home of the most lavish court entertainment, the 18th century building will be transformed for one night only into an icy winter wonderland, with some fun acts provided by magicians, dancers and a thirteen-piece brass band. The best bits you won’t want to miss: Getting dressed up of, course, which always adds to the festive mood. Snow Queens and Jack Frosts welcome! Dramatic but fun numbers such as death defying stunts from escape artist The Irrepressible Mister Flay, and spectacular fire hula-hooping from Anna the Hulagan. Magic tricks and mind reading from conjuror Michael Coffey, The London Magician, who will test his psychic ability on guests, inspired by the dark deceits of Victorian séances.   For thrill seekers, an eerie tour of the Palace by night, to relive 300 years of mysterious sights, unexplained happenings and strange stories around the darkened rooms and echoing corridors. Balkan, Klezmer, Ska, Turkish, Russian and Latin flavoured tunes from 13-piece Balkan brass ensemble The Trans-Siberian March Band, Julian Gaskell and his Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, providing everything from punk accordion to piano torch ballads, and Latin inspired guitar and violin tunes from Con Fuoco Duo.   And of course a bit of dancing, with The Last Tuesday Society's classical DJ Troylus Searll. Delightfully ghoulish... But hurry up: tickets are going fast.  Midwinter Ball, 13 December 2012 £20 per ticket from www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace/WhatsOn/Midwinterball or for more of Frédérique’s fabulous recommendations visit chiclondres.com.