Masquerade Madness at CFA

Patrons of the arts were decked out in full ghoul garb Saturday night as they celebrated the fifth annual Center for the Arts Masquerade Ball.

All who visited the medieval-styled CFA indulged in a mix of food, dance, music and theater.

The event raised money to supply buses to underprivileged school districts in Buffalo and also aimed to help bring professional dance companies into schools in poor areas.

While witches and wizards waited in line to enter the atrium, simulated smoke billowed down from the ceiling, making the overhead red and green glow more visible.

Thomas Burrows, director for the Center of the Arts, welcomed everyone and announced the honorary chairs for the evening, UB President William R. Greiner and his wife, Carol.

The Greiners, who came dressed up as Glinda and the Wizard from "The Wizard of Oz," said a few words and were then presented with two credit cards that allowed them free admission to all CFA shows.

"Any show, any time. I expect to see you both," Burrows said.

Jodi Johnston, co-anchor of News Channel 2's "Daybreak" became master of ceremonies for the night after Burrows was finished.

"UB contacted Channel 2 and asked if I'd be the MC at tonight's masquerade ball," Johnston said. "It's a black tie event that is so creative. You don't know who or what you're going to run into."

Four theatre majors lurked around the party in costume throughout the night. They greeted guests, danced and on occasion let out a wild shriek.

"We're supposed to break the ice and create a really comfortable atmosphere," said Nicole Casseri, a sophomore musical theatre major and performer for the evening. "It allows us to apply everything we've learned in our acting class through improvisation."

Dual bars and buffets were set up on opposite sides of the atrium, which gave the guests their choice of food, poison or both.

While guests dined, The Sid Winkler Band performed on the makeshift stage. The band got the crowd to dance immediately by opening up with some up-tempo swing and a dance version of "The Phantom of the Opera."

Wherever he went in the party, Greiner lip synched along and kept his feet tapping.

"This is my favorite band. I love them. I think they sing the stuff from Phantom as well as the Broadway cast," Greiner said.

Half way through the night, the Zodiaque Dance Company, comprised of UB students, performed a tribute to the 1960s. The dancers, outfitted in tie-dye shirts and headbands, grooved for 11 minutes straight as the crowd smiled along.

" They were incredible," Johnston said. "Their talent astounds me. They had my whole row captivated."

Greiner agreed with Johnston.

"I think they were phenomenal. We've been watching Zodiaque for over 20 years. They just keep getting better and better."

Joice Passos, a junior dance major and Zodiaque performer, said, "We did it last year and it's always a fun time because the people are so excited. It was awesome."

Those that flocked to the back of the CFA either got their picture taken amidst a castle background or participated in the two auctions that were held.

A signed picture of magician David Copperfield, tickets to the Buffalo vs. Miami football game and a gift basket that contained signed items from the cast of "Law and Order: SVU" were among the prizes offered in the silent auction.

Partygoers wrote down their bid on a piece of paper and check back frequently to make sure others hadn't come along to outbid them.

Amherst Town Supervisor Susan Grelick pranced around the CFA in a golden witch costume, but came up short in the auction.

" I bid on three items. I didn't win anything," she said, laughing. " I try to come to as many events at the university as possible. I come to this one every year."