Formal Ball – Presented by Anime Formal Dancing

The Formal Ball will be held Saturday, July 26th, from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in Mainstage/Coral C.

Admission to the Formal Ball is included with any 3-day or Saturday AnimeIowa badge, or can be purchased separately at the Marketplace entrance for $15.

The Formal Ball is returning to AnimeIowa in 2025! Presented by Anime Formal Dancing, 2025’s Formal Ball will take you under the sea to enjoy an evening of dancing to familiar tunes! Instructors from Anime Formal Dancing will lead two panels teaching the fundamentals of several dance styles, and will also be providing assistance during the Formal Ball itself. Cosplay is welcome and formal attire is encouraged, please see the full dress code below.

Dance Lessons

Formal Partner Dancing: Friday 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in Oakdale 3.
Attend one or both panels to practice a few different partner dancing styles before the Formal Ball! Learn the basics of styles like Salsa, Foxtrot, Rumba, and Waltz, taught by the instructors from Anime Formal Dancing.  No partner nor dance experience necessary!

At the Formal Ball itself, Anime Formal Dancing will hold a brief lesson on East Coast Swing.

Dress Code: Black Tie Encouraged

Overview: Attendees of the Formal Ball are encouraged to wear formal or black tie attire, but may be permitted entry in casual attire provided they do not have any disruptive elements and are appropriately covered. Cosplay is welcome and will be held to these same guidelines.

1. Attendees should keep the close contact nature of partner dancing in mind when deciding their apparel. Encouraged attire is knee-length or longer.
2. Formal dress is encouraged, which may include the following: formal cosplay costumes, prom dress, gown, suit, tuxedo, dress shirt and tie, Lolita (EGL) or Ouji fashion, formal renaissance garb, kilts (with appropriate additional attire), kimono, cheongsam, dress uniform, cocktail dress, formal separates.
3. Accessories, hats, and small props that complement your ensemble are permitted.
4. Large props, wings, bulky armor, or other attachments that extend off the body are advised to be removed while dancing during the formal ball.
5. Attendees wearing casual clothing like t-shirts, jeans, miniskirts, cut-off or shredded apparel, and clothing with excessive chains or straps may be admitted, but may be spoken to in order to address possible contact concerns.
6. Shoes must be worn at all times.
7. Should concerns arise, the dance instructors from Anime Formal Dancing are the final judges when permitting entry into the Formal Ball.

Formal Ball Etiquette

1. Be respectful and courteous to all.
2. All AnimeIowa Convention policies must be followed.
3. “No” means no. If you ask someone to dance and said person is not willing, do not continue to ask as it could come off as harassing. No one is required to dance with anyone they do not want to for any reason.
4. No aerials! They are fun to see on a dance floor, but they are a major hazard when not performed under very specific and exact conditions. Event staff and dance instructors have the right to grant warnings or remove individuals from the dance floor who present this, or any other disruptive or dangerous behavior.
5. Take care of personal hygiene. To be considerate to all formal ball attendees and potential dance partners, please make sure you are presentable hygienically.
6. Accidents happen and dancers may bump into each other on the dance floor. Proper decorum is simply apologizing to the person(s) bumped into and continuing dancing.
7. Please note, not everyone is looking for dance instruction while social dancing. Unless it is explicitly asked, refrain from attempting to teach at a social dance. If requested, please step aside from the main dance floor to offer assistance.

Anime Formal Dancing