Next Friday, October 1, the community of Valparaiso will gather to celebrate at The Mayor’s Charity Ball. The Ball will be held from 6-11 p.m. at the Harre Union and the Center for the Arts on the campus of Valparaiso University. 
Reservations are being taken now to join Mayor Jon Costas and the citizens of Valparaiso for an enjoyable evening celebrating our community and the non-profit organizations which are helped annually by this event. This year’s charities include Family House, Reilly C. Bush Memorial Foundation, Inc., Respite House, Porter County Association for Handicapped Children and Adults, Inc. and Porter Starke Services Foundation. A short presentation by each organization will be made at the event.
This formal evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served at the Center for the Arts. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Chicago guitar duo of Jim Konsbruck and Wesley Hixson. The Brauer Museum of Art will be open for browsing. Current exhibits include Heeding the Voice of Heaven: Sadao Watanabe Biblical Stencil Prints, curated by Richard H. W. Brauer and Everyday Art: Casual Kimono from Mid 20th-Century Japan, curated by Katherine E. Kuster.
Guests will then stroll to the Harre Union to enjoy piano music by Paul Coscino and a gourmet dinner created by VU Executive Chef John Reid. The evening will wrap up with a selection of decadent desserts, a gourmet coffee bar and music for listening and dancing by a Chicago ensemble featuring piano, drums, guitar and saxophone.
Unique to this year’s event is a Chair-ity Auction, where more than 15 local artists have transformed ordinary chairs into unique sculptures and functional art for your home or office.
Tickets are $125 per person. Reservations may be made by contacting Lori Good at 548-4822.