Monkey Suit Ball numbers could double Oct. 1

Tampa Bay Bears Vice President John Burchett expects a huge second year for the Monkey Suit Masquerade Ball Oct. 1. The charity event is one of only a few black-tie-style events in Tampa's LGBT community, and the response from the inaugural event last year seem to mean the 2011 celebration could break records.

â┚¬Å”In our first year we got just under 100 people there,â┚¬Â Burchett said, â┚¬Å”which isn't bad for an initial event. Everyone had a great time and I think we'll get double of what we had last year.â┚¬Â

Burchett said that adding the King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church as a benefitting charity will also help this year, given its large membership. Other charities benefitting from the ball include the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and the University of South Florida LGBT Endowed Scholarship fund.

When choosing the benefitting charities, Burchett said the Tampa Bay Bears use a specific formula: one gay charity, one children's charity and one community service charity.

â┚¬Å”We try to hit all the aspects that have to do with the community,â┚¬Â Burchett said.

While the Masquerade Ball is put on by the Tampa Bay Bears, it is not a bear event, per se. Men and women, both gay and straight, are welcome to attend the semi-formal celebration.

â┚¬Å”Prior to last year's ball, we did an auction for nine years that did tend to focus on the bear community,â┚¬Â Burchett said. â┚¬Å”But this is a community event and we're expecting a mixed crowd, which is what we want.â┚¬Â

The 2011 Monkey Suit Masquerade Ball and charity auction is at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel and begins at at 7 p.m. with â┚¬Å”red carpet interviews.â┚¬Â Celebrity guest entertainer and Joan Rivers impersonator Holly Faris will personally greet guests and her interviews will be broadcast onto a large screen within the ballroom. A sit-down dinner begins at 8 p.m. and personal trainer and counter tenor Jacques Snyman will perform several opera pieces. After dinner several live auctions are planned along side a silent auction and a DJ will provide dance music until midnight.

For more information on the Monkey Suit Masquerade Ball, and to purchase tickets, visit MonkeySuitBall.com.