'Bridgerton'-inspired events coming to Oheka Castle and the Walt Whitman Birthplace

“Bridgerton” fans can travel back to a time of 19th century high glamour at two Long Island events in September — Waltz Upon a Time Bridgerton Ball on Saturday at the Walt Whitman Birthplace in Huntington Station and Bridgerton-Inspired High Tea on Sept. 29 at Oheka Castle in Huntington.

Both events are based on the costumes and scenes of the popular Netflix television show produced by Shonda Rhimes and book series written by Julia Quinn. “Bridgerton” focuses on the eight Bridgerton siblings trying to find love in London’s high society in Regency England; three seasons have aired so far, with a fourth in the works.

THE BALL

Staff members of the Walt Whitman Birthplace — dubbed the Belles for the event — will be dressed in period costume, which may include white gloves that extend past the elbows, gem-decked tiaras, costume jewelry and ornate, floor-length gowns. Guests are encouraged to dress for the era as well, says Caitlyn Shea, executive director of the Walt Whitman Birthplace. Men might wear tuxedos or tails with vests and bows at the neck.

The outdoor, rain-or-shine event in the birthplace’s garden will include a white tent, Shea says. Drinks will be served on the lawn, and guests will be offered hors d’oeuvres. “Bridgerton”-inspired backgrounds such as pastel floral displays will be set up for guests to pose for photos. Live music is planned and dancing will be encouraged, Shea says.

“We chose 'Bridgerton' because we know a lot of people are fans of that already,” Shea says. “It’s really important to us at the birthplace to connect history to today.” Although the era portrayed on the TV show was not during Whitman’s time and across the pond, as they say, the American poet would have been aware of this type of high society even if he wasn’t a part of it himself, Shea says.

The event also honors three people for their contributions to the birthplace. “I’m going to be introducing them and highlighting their careers. They will speak as well,” Shea says.

One of the honorees is Jo-Ann Raia, former Huntington Town clerk and a board member at the birthplace. “That last time I dressed up in period attire was in 2003, when I attended the Town of Huntington’s 350th birthday bash,” she says.

One goal of the event is to make people aware of the birthplace grounds and what events might be held there, says Rhonda Gooden, owner of Chez Lãa Reine boutique in Huntington, who is working with the birthplace on the event. “It’s a hidden gem,” she says. “It’s so hidden and from the street, you really can’t see it.”

HIGH TEA

At Oheka Castle, executive pastry chef Daniel Andreotti promises “Romance, scandal and tea cakes,” at the afternoon high tea planned for the outdoor Water Gardens (rain will move the event indoors).

“We are a castle,” he points out, making the venue a perfect place for a high society function. He plans to serve “dainty food, very pretty desserts” including lavender-scented shortbread, lemon tartlets and macarons. “We’re pretending a Queen is attending, so we need food fit for a Queen.” He says he expects tea sandwiches such as watercress and smoked salmon will also be served.

“I watch the show, along with my wife,” Andreotti says. He says he pauses episodes to examine their display tables and get ideas.

“We have a string quartet coming to play contemporary versions of Classical pieces, or vice versa,” says Karyn LoCicero, CEO of Karyn Michael Events, the event planners for Oheka Castle. Guests are invited to wear period clothing as they mingle with New York Virtuosi performing in the background, she says.

“We’ve been kicking around the high tea idea for two years,” LoCicero says. “We all kind of love the show and it’s been so popular. We were looking for an end-of-summer celebration, and it just felt right.”

By Beth Whitehouse

beth.whitehouse@newsday.comBethWhitehouse1

Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.