Vancouver is set to become an ancient city (for one night, anyway)

The Social Concierge and Ballet BC have teamed up for a historical night of dancing and cocktails

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World will be recreated this Saturday (August 6) as the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is transformed into a re-imagination of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.Titled Babylon, the arts production is the result of a collaborative effort between the Vancouver event team behind Diner En Blanc and the Deighton Cup, The Social Concierge, and Ballet BC. “It’s a cocktail party, but beyond that, it’s also an immersive dance experience,” says Tyson Villeneuve, curator of Babylon. “Ballet BC dancers will be dancing in and amongst the crowd, so that the idea really is that the dance component is fully immersive of the guest experience.” During the event, guests will be able to enjoy drinks and treats from Hawksworth Restaurant.Babylon will feature the works of local florists like Flower Factory, Quince, and Blumen, complemented by a floral installation from renowned international florist Hitomi Gilliam. There will be seven major international and local floral art installation pieces, including designs hung as chandeliers, botanical murals and reconstruction of chairs with floral pieces.Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the Hanging Gardens, Villeneuve says that he hopes to channel the multicultural philosophies of the ancient city of Babylon through contemporary forms of dance and design. “One of the great things about dance as an art form is that everybody can appreciate it,” he says. “You don’t need to speak a certain language to appreciate the beauty of dance, so it really does surpass any need for vocal translation.”The re-imagination of the ancient city of Babylon will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on August 6 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Garden passes are at $55. Mezzanine Passes are sold out.