User:Hmgeorge/sandbox/Rochester Bachelors' Cotillion

The Rochester Bachelors' Cotillion is the oldest running mens' cotillion in North America, held annually in Rochester, New York,United States. It is an invite-only ball held on the third Saturday of January at the Genesee Valley Club.

History
The Rochester Bachelors' Cotillion originated in 1950 when a group of affluent gentlemen belonging to a number of gentlemen's clubs came together to throw an annual black-tie celebration to thank the debutants of Rochester, New York for invitations to their Debutante balls. The tradition has continued, although the practice of holding debutante balls has long since ended. It is now held as a celebration of the year to come and a means of uniting the affluent and influential members of the Rochester community.

Membership in the Rochester Bachelors is by invitation only and extended only to unwed, eligible bachelors belonging to one or more of the social clubs in Rochester. Membership terminates once a Bachelor is wed, but the Bachelor alumni are frequently invited to events and are undoubtedly invited to Cotillion.

Today
The Rochester Bachelors' Cotillion follows traditions set forth at the very first event. The gentlemen are dressed in tuxedo tailcoats, white bow ties and white gloves. They are generally accompanied by their dates, dressed in formal gowns. Cotillion guests are requested to be dressed in black-tie attire.

After the annual photographs, the Bachelors retire to private rooms upstairs at the Club to host a traditional private dinner party with their dates. The proceedings of the dinner party are kept confidential. As guests begin to arrive, at or around 8:00 p.m., the Bachelors descend