Crown & Corset: A Regency Masquerade

Crown & Corset: A Regency Masquerade takes over Newcastle City Hall on Saturday 17 October, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. It's a Regency-era masquerade gala, and the night is built around a specific contrast: the opulence of the 'Crown' set against the act of 'unmasking' the hidden realities of domestic violence. The proceeds go to White Ribbon Australia, which works on primary prevention to end men's violence against women.

There's a personal story behind it, too. The event came from the organiser's own experience of domestic violence and the community support that helped them through it. That connection to the cause sits right at the centre of the evening, and the masquerade theme isn't just for show — it's a way of talking about the things that often stay hidden.

That's the part that gives the night its weight. In Australia, one in four women have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, and a woman dies from domestic homicide every nine days. White Ribbon is described as the world's largest movement engaging men and boys to stop violence before it starts, and the funds raised here go toward that work.

So, it's a night that lets you dress up in Regency finery and a mask, but it's also a fundraiser for a cause that hits close to home for a lot of people. Tickets are A$265, and the gala runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Newcastle City Hall on Saturday 17 October.