It's a long way from a homeless shelter on a freezing city street to the glittering luxury of a diplomatic dinner, but this month's
International Women's Club Embassy Charity Ball is trying to use the high life to help those in need. The glamorous event, now in its 13th year, invites paying guests to dine in one of Moscow's embassies before dancing the night away at a masked ball in the Tsereteli Museum on prestigious Ulitsa Prechistenka.
"The dinner is very popular,” said IWC Moscow liaison officer Maxine Maters. "It gives people the chance to have a big meal in an embassy, and it becomes a bonding session for people before the ball. When you get to the big ball you already know a group of people, so it's a bit less daunting.”
The IWC's reputation as a neutral group, with strong links to the diplomatic corps, means it can call in a few favours and pull off something a bit special. This year, in addition to help from several embassies, well-known artist and architect Zurab Tsereteli has donated free use of the "Apple Room” in his museum, and an elaborate show program is being devised.
Maters is quick to pay tribute to the volunteers who make the ball – and all the charity work – possible. "I am now participating for my fourth year and I still find it a miracle,” she said. "Nobody gets paid, most of us are expats and are coming and going all the time and yet we still pull off these events every year.”
The ball is on Friday February 27. Tickets cost $250 (with dinner) or $150 (dance only). To book tickets, call Inessa on (495) 241 0563 or see the web site at www.iwcmoscow.ru/fundraisingevents/ball/ball.html

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