The Graduate Student Association, Penn State Ballroom Dance Club and Late Night Penn State are all coming together to bring a taste of European culture to the HUB-Robeson Center.

Tickets are already available for the Viennese Ball, to be held at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the HUB Alumni Hall.

"I think it can be a grand formal event which brings together various groups of people who have been associated with Penn State in some capacity," said Gauri Guha (graduate--mineral economics), vice president of the GSA.

The 28-piece Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra will accompany the alumni, faculty and student dancers, Guha said.

"This is something we (GSA) thought would bring together the community," he said. "We are thinking it would be like a second homecoming for alums."

Guha added it could be a chance for juniors and seniors to become acquainted with an alumni network.

For those possessing two left feet, the Ballroom Dance Club is having waltz lessons in preparation for the ball.

"The lessons are taught from a basic level," said Jesse Vaughan (senior-business marketing), president of the club. "Every class we teach goes from a beginner level and goes up from there."

The three-week waltz workshop, which started this week, will have two other lessons Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in 133 White Building. It is open to GSA members and dance club members. Other people interested in the club can attend to get a taste of ballroom dance.

Vaughan said mostly American waltz and some Viennese waltz will be taught.

Guha was excited about the large-scale formal dance, which he hopes will become an annual event. Similar annual balls occur at Duke University, Stanford

University, and the Universities of Wisconsin and Connecticut, he said.

"Swing and all -- that is fine, but we don't really have an event where we can dress up," he said.

Tuxedos and gowns are preferred, Guha said, but business suits are acceptable.

The ball represents the first time the GSA and Late Night Penn State have collaborated on such an event, said John Harlow, director of Late Night Penn State.

Harlow was optimistic about the dance.

"It'll be interesting to see how students respond to formal dancing in a formal environment," he said. "This is something I think a lot of students will see as a refreshing change of pace."

Although Late Night Penn State has previously hosted large dances, this is the first time waltzes will be featured, Harlow said.

"This will be a very novel experience for students," he said.

The University Park Allocations Committee will pay for the orchestra while a gift from the Graduate School Alumni Society will fund other aspects such as refreshments, Guha said.

Both undergraduate and graduate students can pick up two free tickets per student ID+ at the GSA office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in 111 Kern Building. Non-students can purchase tickets for $10 a piece. Of the 600 tickets available, 100 student and 100 non-student tickets will be reserved for at-the-door purchase.