Take an island vacation with the Sailors Ball

The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center will hold its 16th annual Sailors Ball on Saturday, March 6 at the Italian Community Center from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. All proceeds from the event support the Sailing Center’s efforts to engage Milwaukee’s at-risk, urban youth, as well as children and adults with disabilities, in innovative sailing experiences.
This year’s ball will feature the sights, sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico as island fare, attire, entertainment and a silent auction set the tone for the evening. More than 200 nautical, dining and leisure packages will be auctioned off, including a one-week charter on a 40′ sailboat.  A raffle drawing that includes six nights lodging, plus $1,000 cash for travel expenses to Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Salsa lessons and demonstrations will be provided by the children’s dancing program, Danceworks’ Mad Hot Ballroom & Tap and instructor Melinda LaPlante from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio will provide a group lesson.
Father-and-son sailing legends Doug and Jared Drake have been selected as the recipients of the 2010 Sailor of the Year Award. Both have given themselves wholly to the sport and the sailing center community. Doug Drake has been sailing for more than 60 years and is the namesake for the Sailing Center’s  Love of Sailing Award. 
The Sailing Center’s Youth Outreach Participation Partner, Neu-Life Community Resource Center will also be recognized at the program. Casual, island attire is encouraged.  General admission tickets, which include dinner and entertainment, are $90 per person. General admission tickets plus passes to the Admirals Club pre-reception are $135 per person, and VIP Gold Packages, which include general admission, passes to the Admirals Club pre-reception and wine with dinner, are $175 per person.  To purchase raffle or ball tickets, contact the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center at (414) 277-9094.