Come dressed in red for fundraiser, Halloween party

One week from tonight, The American College of the Building Arts hosts a Halloween party in the spookiest spot downtown: the old city jail.

Once the fall fundraiser and now the first Red Party, the festivities will hold an expected 600 attendees prisoner from 7 to 1 p.m. for a night of mystery, intrigue and delight. Guests are asked to come masked and dressed in red.

The soiree will feature an illuminated and color-changing dance floor, DJ Arthur Brouthers, dance entertainment, an open bar, a spread by Carolina Catering and a silent auction.

Entrance will be at the front gates of the old city jail and revelers will be able to tour it as they walk through to the party outside in the back.

"There are bigger parties in bigger cities, like the white party and the black party in New York City. So we'll have the Red Party and that plays off Halloween, too," said ACBA Director of Development Brittany Darwin. "In 2004, we had a huge Halloween party and everyone was screaming to bring the Halloween party back."

"We're hoping we'll get the same response from that Halloween party where people say, 'What a great party!' But I also hope they walk away knowing more about us.

"There are so many people who have never heard of The American College of the Building Arts or what we are. So the main thing is to raise awareness and then, of course, to have people wanting to come back."

Since 2005, the four-year college has continued to educate and train future generations in the traditional building arts to foster a high level of craftsmanship and encourage the preservation, enrichment and understanding of the world's architectural heritage.

This past May saw the first graduating class. The only college licensed to do so, the ACBA instructs students in a hands-on liberal arts experience while they concentrate in one of six trade majors: architectural metal, architectural stone carving, finish carpentry, masonry, plaster working and timber framing.

A silent auction at 7-10 p.m. will highlight the evening. Major items up for bid include a trip for two to New York (from AAA), a two-night trip for two from African Travels, a three-night stay in Mexico (from Travel Impressions), 40,000 points from Starwood and a consultation fee for landscape from Urban Design and Christophe Drumain valued at $1,500.

Other auction items presented will be an eye rejuvenation package from The Facial Surgery Center, a gift certificate from Celadon, a two-night stay in a three- to four-room property on Folly Beach (from Dunes Properties), gift certificates from Dine with Sal, jewelry from Croghan's Jewel Box, furniture from Brad Niedert, two paintings from George Davis, three photographs from Katie Leonard, an etching from Jill Hopper, two photographs from Julia Cart, a photograph each from Mark Sloan and Michelle VanParys, and framing for auction photographs from Artizom.

All proceeds will benefit the education of ACBA students and support of the school's mission.

If you go

Who: The American College of the Building Arts' The Red Party.

Where: Old City Jail, 21 Magazine St.

When: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 29.

Cost: Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door.

More information: www.buildingartscollege.us.