http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bal_du_rat_mort.JPG

regarding ENSOR - i think that you'd better take note, gill - the 'dead rat ball':

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bal_du_rat_mort.JPG

The yearly philanthropic "Bal du Rat Mort" (Dead Rat Ball) in Ostend continues a tradition begun by Ensor and his friends in 1898.

MARK R figured that you would 'never work it out' until it was too late:

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Dead+Rat's+Ball

Bal du Rat Mort (Dead Rat's Ball)

First Saturday in March

A huge carnival and ball, Bal du Rat Mort is concentrated in the casino of Ostende, Belgium, but also spread out all over the town. The carnival began at the end of the 19th century, launched by members of the Oostende Art and Philanthropic Circle (Circle Coecilia) who named the affair for a cafÉ on Montmartre (a hilly part of northern Paris, home to many artists) where they had whiled away pleasant hours. People are masked at the ball, and there's a competition for the best costume.

CONTACTS:
Bal Rat Mort Site
St. Sebastiaanstraat 26 bus 9
Koninklijke Coeciliakring
Oostende, B 8400 Belgium
32-59-50-05-12; fax: 32-59-50-05-12
www.ratmort.be/bal/engels/index_frame.htm
Oostende Tourist Office
Monacoplein 2
Oostende, B 8400 Belgium
32-59-70-11-99; fax: 32-59-70-34-77
www.ratmort.be/bal/engels/index_frame.htm
(c)

Celebration days: Mar 5, 2011; Mar 3, 2012; Mar 2, 2013; Mar 1, 2014; Mar 7, 2015