The Contemporary Arts Center wants to get you lit.

“‘Get Lit’ is the dress theme for this year’s SweetArts Ball,” explains CAC Director of Communications Lindsay Ross. “We encourage attendees to dress in all black or all white. CAC artists stationed in the Black Light Lounge will use feathers, neon body paint, and colorful decorations to adorn party goers.”

Last year's ball. Photo Credit: Frank Aymami.

Illuminating CAC’s warehouse space will be installations by Marcus Brown, Mark Kirk, Ashley Longshore, and burlesque dancer Trixie Minx, who will also perform three “Art in the Dark” numbers involving shadow and light. Mod Squad dancers will accompany the Mod Dance Party DJs as they spin all night. “For the first time we’re having mixologists from five top-tier local bars come and create signature drinks,” Ross says.

Each year, SweetArts Ball celebrates outstanding individuals and organizations from the New Orleans cultural and arts community. Jan Ramsey, OffBeat‘s publisher and Editor-in-Chief, was honored in 2002.

The 2011 honorees are John Barnes—visual artist and educator; Ben Jaffe—Creative Director at Preservation Hall; New Orleans Arts District—represented by Denise Berthiaume and Jean Bragg; New Orleans Fringe Theater Festival—represented by Phil Cramer, Kristen Evans, Damon Rosenzweig and Emilie Whelan; Aimeé Farnet Siegel—arts patron; and Derrick Tabb, our Best of the Beat Music Education Award winner this year for his Roots of Music program. “Our core purpose is to honor men and women who’ve greatly contributed to the New Orleans arts community,” says Ross.

SweetArts 2011 is also the kickoff event of the CAC’s 35th birthday year. The event provides open premium bar and food from restaurants such as Atchafalaya, Commander’s Palace, Dominique’s on Magazine, Emeril’s, Galatoire’s, Herbsaint, La Petite Grocery, Lilette, Meson 923, Pascal’s Manale, The Pelican Club, Sylvain, and Upperline. The ball will held at the CAC from 9 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, February 12.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance.

More information at the CAC’s website.