Chick Ball to Honor Attorney General, Domestic Violence Unit

[Verbatim release] The Jackson Free Press and the JFP Chick Ball organizers and sponsors announce that Attorney General Jim Hood's Domestic Violence Prevention Unit, headed by Assistant Attorney General Heather Wagner, will receive the Chick Ball's first "Hero of the Year Award" at this year's event on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Red Room at Hal & Mal's in Jackson. Wagner will be present to receive the award

"Our committee decided to give props to people working to stem the unconscionable rates of domestic abuse in our state," said JFP Editor-in-Chief Donna Ladd, who conceived the idea of the Chick Ball three years ago as a way to raise awareness, especially among young people, about the problem of domestic violence in the city and state. "When the women on the committee suggested this Hero award, I knew immediately that it would help bring more attention to this problem and help us raise even more money to help victims. And that is the whole point."

The Jackson Free Press raised about $5,000 for the Center for Violence Prevention during the first two Chick Balls and hopes to raise at least that much in year 3. "This year, the community committee made the Ball much bigger than the JFP. These women have promoted the event for two months, and people have come out of the woodwork to volunteer and donate prizes. They just say, 'What can we do?' We expect a huge crowd Thursday night."

The committee decided to honor the attorney general's office because the Domestic Violence Prevention Unit offers a comprehensive approach to dealing with abuse. The unit serves as a central resource for those providing enforcement, legal and other services to victims of domestic violence in Mississippi. One of their primary goals is teaching judges, prosecutors and law enforcement about domestic violence issues from the victim's point of view. When victims are under pressure—from the community, from the abuser, financially—they desperately need a knowledgeable legal support structure to ensure their safety and the safety of their families. Putting that structure in place for Mississippi is the Domestic Violence Prevention Unit's charter. The Chick Ball committee salutes the attorney general's office for providing that structure.

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Background on the 3rd Annual JFP Chick Ball

WHAT: The Jackson Free Press, the award-winning newsweekly, will present its
3rd Annual JFP Chick Ball, an affordable night of music, art, spoken word,
fashion and performance that has raised thousands of dollars in the last two
years to honor the Center for Violence Prevention. All proceeds from the
door, art auction and direct donations will be presented to the center
following the event. This year, the event will be bigger than ever, with
dozens of businesses and artists in and around Jackson donating door prizes
and artwork for the art auction.

WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

WHERE: The Red Room and Big Room at Hal & Mal's, 200 S. Commerce St., Jackson, 601-948-0888 (18+ please)

WHO: The line-up of female musical, visual and performance artists is
headlined by a diverse group of women, including songstresses Lisa Palmer,
Teneia Sanders, Deja Gray, Laurel Isbister, Kellie Jones, Natalie Collier,
rapper Infinite and elementary-school folk singer Bet McNeel. The Mary Anns,
a new rock band featuring Tara Blumenthal, Laurel Isbister and Andi Agnew,
will debut their new act at the Chick Ball. A number of spoken-word artists will perform, including June Hardwick, the Blaque Butterfly, Renee Shakespeare, Lady Devine and Thabi Moyo. The MissiHippy Dancers will bellydance at the Chick Ball for the third year in a row.

A long list of visual artists, including gallery owners HC Porter and
Christina Cannon, are donating art for the art auction. Four different "Dream Girls" packages will also be auctioned (includes fashion, spa services, beauty packages and more.)

CONTESTS: This year, the Chick Ball will feature two contests to honor the
fine and funky outfits that people assemble for this event, honoring the
Diva of Bling (for the shiniest outfit) and Official Arm Candy (for
best-dressed male).

DRESS: Anything, casual to funky to dressy. The shinier the better.

MAJOR SPONSORS: This year, the Chick Ball Committee solicited larger
donations, offering special recognition for higher-level sponsors. Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Greater Jackson Arts Council are
Diva-level sponsors; attorney Lisa M. Ross and Hal & Mal's are Queen-level
sponsors; and the Art of Exotic Dance and Designer's Shoe Palace/The Shoe
Bar are Princess-level sponsors. Dozens of local businesses donating door
prizes are Chick-level sponsors.

MEDIA COVERAGE: Local media outlets are invited to interview various
performers, artists and organizers of this year's JFP Chick Ball. This year,
a large committee of women have planned the Chick Ball over two months at
near-weekly meetings at High Noon Café in Fondren and fanned out to
neighborhoods throughout Jackson to promote the event. They are eager to
talk both about the fun night that is planned, as well as the very serious
cause this event will support, which has drawn together a diverse group of
volunteers who just called up and said, "Tell me what I can do."

UPDATED INFO: See http://www.jfpchickball.com for updates, a full list of
sponsors and artists, and a specific line-up, available mid-week.

The Chick Ball's myspace page is at: http://www.myspace.com/chickball

PHOTOS: JPGs of various performers and former Chick Balls are available. Organizers and performers are available for interview.

CONTACT: Ronni Mott, 601.362.6121 ext. 0.

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