– Grab your duct tape and dancing shoes – it’s the “Dance of the Duckade,” Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at the Marriott Downtown Hotel for the 10th Annual Duct Tape Ball.  This year, the sticky black-tie event, sponsored by Henkel Corporation, marketers of Duck Tape brand duct tape, will benefit Safe Harbor Inn, AWAIC (Abused Women’s Aide in Crisis) and Friends of Alaska CASA. 
    The theme for this year’s Duct Tape Ball – which annually raises money for local charities, typically focusing on issues that impact women and children – features iconic images and music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. From the attendees’ tuxes and ball gowns to every inch of the room, the décor is one of the most unique aspects of the event – and it’s all made with duct tape!
Playing upon the music theme, some of the most unusual duct tape decorations include the revolutionary MTV logo, giant blue suede shoes, peace signs and two 8-foot jukeboxes.  In addition, Henkel Corporation, together with duct tape artist Nick Adorni, has donated several pieces of duct tape art – two 10-by-12-foot Andy Warhol-style portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Jim Morrison, and two eight-foot-tall electric guitars.
“We look forward to donating duct tape every year to the Duct Tape Ball, as we are always intrigued by the imaginative creations that help make this event so unique,” said Melanie Canning, communications manager, Henkel Corporation.  “Since beginning our participation in the event eight years ago, we’ve donated more than 15,000 rolls of colored duct tape, enough to stack roll on top of roll to reach the height of the Empire State Building – twice!”

The 2009 Duct Tape Ball benefits AWAIC, Safe Harbor Inn and Friends of Alaska CASA.  AWAIC provides shelter and educational support services to women dealing with domestic violence; Safe Harbor provides temporary shelter and transition housing for families; and Friends of Alaska CASA provides trained volunteers who advocate in court for abused and neglected children.  Charities are selected by application on an annual basis and are in the pool for three years.  In year one, a participating charity receives 10 percent of the proceeds; in years two and three, the top two charities split the remaining 90 percent. 
In its first “duckade,” the Duct Tape Ball event, accomplished through the tireless efforts of a well-oiled volunteer group, has raised more than $1.5 million for local charities. What started out as a one-time fundraising event for the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games has turned into one of the premier events of the giving season.
    The 2009 Duct Tape Ball begins at 5:59 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner at 6:59 p.m. and dancing as long as the band sticks around. Tickets to the Duct Tape Ball are $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10 (Visa/MasterCard is preferred). An array of auction and raffle items will create a scale of prizes to be distributed throughout the evening, in addition to spectacular live auction packages. For tickets and information, call 646-8600 or visit www.ducktapeball.org.  
Originally created as a one-time fundraising event for the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, The Duct Tape Ball’s popularity has provided a vital monetary resource for local charities.  Past beneficiaries include Hospice of Anchorage, Anchorage Search & Rescue Auxiliary Team, Charlie Elder House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics Alaska and more.  Applications for recipients for the 2010 event will be accepted from March 1 – June 1, 2009.