The Artists & Writers Ball was a cultural tradition that began in the 1970s when a group of artists living and working in Ybor City decided to bring the creative community together for an evening of carefree fun. Held after the February night parade, the themed and costumed ball spoofed all things Gasparilla with its own perverse version of the king and queen, a parody parade and plenty of eclectic music. This Saturday night marks the event's official resurrection party, the Artists & Writers Reunion Ball, which is held at the Cuban Club and features wacky decorations as well as live entertainment by the recently reunited Paul Wilborn & The Pop Tarts, The Vodkanauts, Ronny Elliott and Friends, Strange Agents, JJ & the Cone of Uncertainty and The Seahorse Orchestra. Attendees are encouraged to create a costume based on the themes of any past balls and can visit the website for details. Proceeds support area artists and projects of the Artists & Writers Group, including the February '07 ball. Sat., Oct. 7, 2006, 8 p.m.-2 a.m., 2010 N. Avenue Republica de Cuba, Ybor City, $45, 813-248-2954,www.artistsandwritersball.com.
This article appears in Oct 4-10, 2006.