ARTS COUNCIL Masquerade promotes urban art scene locally

All but 50 of 250 tickets have been sold.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- A new group will have a masked ball this Halloween to promote more arts events in the city. The masquerade is based on Edgar Allen Poe's "The Mask of the Red Death."
Eska Paumier, who is spearheading the event, said cheerfully, "It's a little bit weird." She's a co-chair for the event being sponsored by the Larwen Council for the Arts.
The ball will combine acoustic music by Cade Shaw & amp; Jerry Joyce, disc jockeys, special food and exotic costumes. One local man is making a mask from metal.
The goal is to try to have an event that is a little bit edgy, Paumier said.
But the event is not too edgy. The Salem High School's drama program will give a short performance based on Poe's story.
Members of Youngstown State University's photography department will be taking photos at the ball as part of their class work. The best will be displayed locally at a later date.
Objectives
Paumier said the part of the goal was to have the type of entertainment here that people often travel to Cleveland or Pittsburgh to enjoy. The group's effort to bring a more urban art scene to the city has the practical goal of keeping money here that local residents are now spending elsewhere.
That could offset some of the industrial jobs that the city has lost recently, Paumier said.
The group also hopes to increase ties between the city and Kent State University Salem Campus.
The plan seems to be working so far. The group has sold 200 of 250 tickets for the ball.
Tickets are $35 each. The event is from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Elks Lodge. The arts group plans to put the proceeds into a variety of activities, including more arts for children. Plans include an art show next July named after Zadok Street, a founder of Salem.
XFor tickets and information, call (330) 337-8458, or visit www.larwen.com.