Calling All Lords and Ladies 

Bridgerton Ball redux promises transport to ‘a night of Regency.’

The formal proclamation has been sounded, inviting all Lords and Ladies to bedeck in breeches, waistcoats, and ballgowns — oh, and those grand wigs — for the second Bridgerton Ball, a celebration of the local arts community from 7-11 p.m. Friday, October 25, at The Atrium Ballroom. 

The 2024 edition of the Bridgerton Ball, formally known as The Queen’s Masquerade, is billed as “a one-of-a-kind experience for Columbia,” benefiting the Missouri Symphony (MOSY) and Mareck Center for Dance. The ball is the brainchild of Columbia dynamo Adonica Coleman, whose contagious energy sparks the creative flair for attendees to wow one another with Regency-era fashion befitting the popular Netflix series, Bridgerton. 

The event’s website sums up the expectation like this: “From the aesthetics and food to the live entertainment, guests will be transported to a night of Regency put on by The COMO 411 and their trusted friends.” 

Regency era attire and masquerade masks are strongly recommended. All ticket holders will have access to complimentary food from Eclipse Catering, a unique photo exhibit, live music from MOSY, and a performance by Mareck Center for Dance company members. 

Coleman has the confidence needed for the task. As the owner and founder of COMO 411 – an agency laser-focused on creating community connections – she’s also host of The Daily Blend with AC, a daily morning community talk show. (The show basically took the place of Paul Pepper’s Pepper and Friends show.) Coleman is also the chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2024-25. 

And just three months ago, she took the reins as executive director of the Daydream Foundation, a local nonprofit that works to eliminate financial barriers for kids in Columbia to participate in extracurricular activities — whether that’s music, sports, art, dance, “or whatever it is.” 

“We feel like everybody should have that opportunity,” Coleman explained. 

But she does find downtime — “my weekends are sacred,” she insisted — and, like the rest of us, has a knack for consuming binge-worthy television productions. Bridgerton captured her curiosity with its attention to compelling storylines, a diverse cast and crew, and the costuming. 

“Oh, the costumes,” she exclaimed. As she watched season two of the series, Coleman said, “My event juices started to get going. I do love a themed event.” Then came season three — and Queen Charlotte — and Coleman watched the entire season in one weekend. 

“I texted my girlfriends and said, ‘We need to have a ball, don’t we?’” she  confessed. 

The inaugural Bridgerton Ball at The Atrium in 2023 came barely three months after that text. 

“We really didn’t know what to expect,” Coleman said. “But it really just took on a life of its own.” 

Two-hundred and twenty-five people attended. And it was everything Coleman expected it to be, but she wasn’t sure how attendees would react to lounge seating, rather than reserved seating. (Though VIP tickets do come with reserved seating.) 

“It forces people to mingle — not just stick with your crowd or your group of friends,” she said. “And it was absolutely heartwarming.” 

The Queen’s Masquerade is based on season three, which featured a different ball in each episode. And for those who have not been intoxicated with the Bridgerton series, the opportunity to don Regency era attire can be enticing, Coleman explained. 

Last year’s attire featured a number of custom ball gowns and at least ninety percent of attendees were dressed in period attire, she said. 

“I think people will level up for this one,” Coleman noted. “I expect to see lots more creativity this year, for sure.”