MS Society's 'MSquerade' brings New Orleans flavor to Wilmington

New Orleans music, superior nibbles and adults in lavish masks return to Wilmington as the Delaware Chapter of the National MS Society aims to capture lightning in a bottle twice with "MSquerade," its second annual Marti Gras-inspired fundraiser for multiple sclerosis awareness.

The 21-and-over event will be held at the World Café Live at the Queen on Friday.

The lowdown

With the inaugural "MSquerade" drawing north of 375 guests and raising $80,000 — in which proceeds were used to fund national MS research efforts as well as provide programs and supportive services throughout the state — Kate Cowperthwait, president of the Delaware Chapter of MS, anticipates Friday's event will raise as much as the first, she said.

Cowperthwait also said the success of the first event was significant, because when it comes to creating awareness about MS, "Let's be honest, adults with physical disabilities is the not the exciting cause."

Mask on, eat up, tune in

Though it's optional, guests are encouraged to wear a black tie and mask. For those not interested in wearing a physical mask, staff from Devon Esthetique (a Pennsylvania organization that provides cosmetic services) will be in attendance, offering face painting service to guests, in which they'll paint stunning mask designs directly on a guest's shinning face, for a small donation.

Providing the night's soundtrack will be Philly Gumbo, a Philadelphia band known for effectively stirring New Orleans rhythm and blues, reggae, blues and African music together in a giant pot.

Philly Gumbo's dance-provoking tunes certainly spiced up last year's event, so there's no telling what kind of herbs the band will cook up for guests this time around on the dance floor.

Adding more flavor to "MSquerade" will be local celebrity chefs Jennifer Behm (FOX's "MasterChef" winner and owner of Pink Martini Catering in Wilmington) and Julio Lazzarini (Food Network's "Chopped" finalist and owner and executive chef of Orillas Tapas Bar in Wilmington) who will cater New Orleans-styled heavy hors d'oeuvres at the event. Alcoholic beverages will also be available.

In addition, Dana Herbert (TLC's "The Next Great Baker" winner and owner of Desserts by Dana in New Castle), will be in attendance to create a Mardi Gras themed cake on site in the VIP area.

More bang for buck

For a little extra, you can hang out in the VIP area located on the balcony. VIP guests will have access to a cocktail reception (from 7-8 p.m.). In addition, the area will also feature tunes from live instrumentalists, and Herbert, who will be designing the Mardi Gras themed cake in the VP section, said Ainsely Hertrich, the event's planning coordinator and development coordinator for the Delaware Chapter of MS.

About MS

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with the disease. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. Currently, there's no cure for MS.

IF YOU GO

WHAT Delaware Chapter of the National MS Society's second annual 'MSquerade' fundraiser

WHEN 8 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Nov. 9

WHERE World Café Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington

COST $100 per person or $175 per couple; $150 per person for VIP ticket

INFO queentickets.worldcafelive.com or 994-1400