Friends of the Center for the Arts to hold Masquerade Ball

The Friends of the Center for the Arts will present the second-annual Masquerade Ball from 6 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 28 in the Atrium of the Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus.

The theme for the ball is "Memorable Moments in Movies." The Center's atrium will be transformed into a movie sound stage with theatrical lights and sets. Guests are encouraged to come as their favorite movie character or to wear creative black tie or colorful masks, and costumes will be judged for prizes. The evening also will include a special performance by Zodiaque Dance Company and StudioWerks Dance Ensemble, featuring students from UB's Department of Theatre and Dance. Other entertainment will include movies shown in the screening room, tarot and palm readers and dance music by Buffalo's own Special Edition. In addition, the event will include a silent auction and raffle for items such as theater tickets, elegant dinners for two, spa days and weekend get-a-way packages.

Dinner for the event will be catered by Daffodils. The evening will begin in the center's Art Gallery with an open bar featuring hors d'oeuvres, imported and domestic cheeses, and fruits and vegetables elegantly displayed. The sit-down gala dinner will be served in the Atrium, and will include a field of mixed green salad with a herb vinaigrette dressing, beef tenderloin with a crabmeat-stuffed shrimp and a red wine tarragon sauce accompanied by sweet mashed potatoes and fresh season vegetables. Dessert will be a black forest cake served with coffee and tea.

The event will benefit the Center's Doug Varone Dance Company residency in April. This community outreach program is designed to expose children to professional dance. It will also bring together dance students, students of related performing and fine art disciplines, local dance companies and school audiences. Residency activities and master classes will be provided at no cost to area schools that are interested in participating. Previous Center dance residencies reached more than 1,000 Western New York school children.

Event chairperson is Renee Paulsen. Honorary chairs are UB President and Mrs. William R. Greiner. Tickets for the Masquerade Ball are $100. Tables of 10 are available. For tickets and more information call 645-6774.