The 9 PM ball, which is Halloween-themed, features the presentation of the Starving Artist Award, a cash grant given to "a New York City-based artist of exceptional merit working in any discipline, chosen by an independent committee of arts professionals."

The ball also boasts music by DJ Brian Pennington, the string quartet Cello, the jazz ensemble Conjunto Suor, the rock group Black Taxi and aerial entertainment by The New York Circus Arts Academy. Guests will also enjoy an open bar, food, dancing, a raffle, gift bags and an exhibition and silent auction of emerging artists and their works.

The ball's 37-member Invitation Committee includes John Patrick Shanley, Christine Ebersole, John Lloyd Young, Alan Cumming, Eve Best, Logan Marshall Green, Randy Harrison and NY1's Frank DiLella and Amanda Christine Miller. The event's co-chairs are Bradford Louryk and Devon Berkshire.

Tickets, priced $50-$250 (with a table of ten available for $2,000), can be purchased by visiting www.ticketcentral.com, calling (212) 279-4200 or going to the Ticket Central box office (located at 416 West 42nd Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues).

The Judson Memorial Church is located at 55 Washington Square Park South in Manhattan. *

Studio 42, which was founded in 2001, is a non-profit production company dedicated to "supporting emerging artists and developing new work, with a focus on innovative and adventurous theatre." For more information visit www.stu42.com.