When the Corcoran Gallery of Art is split up, what will become of its opulent annual ball?

The Corcoran Ball has always been old-fashioned and proud of it. No speeches, no silent auction, no celebrities. In their place: a classic dinner dance with music, candlelight and priceless art. On Friday, the limestone Beaux-Arts building, home to the museum since 1897, was transformed with 12,000 flowers and elegant tables set in each gallery. This year's stunner was the Little Mantel Room, an intimate space paneled with dark wood and decorated with lace, tulips and roses -- a Dutch Master pai...