2008-06-12 23:43:34 -

www.themannequinball.com - From London via New York City, the hottest and hippest retro-glam singers on the scene today - The Puppini Sisters, currently on tour with Cyndi Lauper - will make their Southern debut as the headline act for "A Twist of the Big Apple," the theme for the third Mannequin Ball, a fashion and fine art

gala to be held November 22, 2008, in downtown Raleigh.

A portion of the proceeds will go to help The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center and The Raleigh Fine Arts Society in their contributions to medicine and the arts.

For the glamorous event, 20,000 square feet of the city's new Civic Center will be transformed into the eras and elegance that define Old New York. Guests to the Ball will be whisked past authentic yellow cabs and the aroma of roasting chestnuts and down a red carpet. Entering "Manhattan," they'll discover haute couture, a "diamond district," a SoHo-style art gallery, classic cuisine, and eclectic entertainment, from the Puppini Sisters to "big band."

National and local artists will transform store mannequins into fine art inspired by this year's theme. Fine clothing retailers in the area, including Sak's, will also design mannequins to display current fashion trends.

National and regional celebrities and honored guests are part of the allure of the Mannequin Ball. Previous Balls have hosted Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley; CSI Miami's Emily Proctor; Trading Space's Hildi Santo Tomas; Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long; and celebrated clothing designer Alexander Julian. More of the same are expected this year.

The Mannequin Ball has been called "the best party in North Carolina" after presenting two previous successful events centered around fashion: Paris After Dark and Midnight in Milan.

"That's because we have raised the bar," said Ball chair Katie Reeves. "It's a first-class party with first-class celebrities, food, music and sponsors - and first-class guests. The Mannequin Ball demonstrates that Raleigh is now a world-class city."

The 2008 Mannequin Ball is presented by Raleigh Metro Magazine. For more information on becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets to the Ball, contact Katie Poole at 919-831-0999 or via email at katiepoole@metromagazine.net. Information and updates about the event are available at www.themannequinball.com.

blueplate pr
Kim Weiss, 919-272-8615
kjw27612@yahoo.com