ON FEBRUARY 23 some of Savannah’s most dedicated arts patrons will dance the night away in a 1940’s “Black and White” fashion during the Telfair Museum’s 28th Annual Ball held at the Jepson Center for the Arts and Telfair Square.

While historically the annual fundraiser is strictly limited to members’ of the Director’s Circle, this year brings a first-ever opportunity for non-members to join the organization and party it up with the big dogs of Savannah.

In the hopes of inspiring a younger generation’s early involvement with the museum, Ball Chairwoman Jackie Rabinowitz has organized a separate “Bash” in the museum, featuring a DJ to shake it down to while the old-schoolers do a little ditty to a band under the tent.

Admitting that the Ball may have been a bit too “stiff” to entice the younger crowd in the past, this is Jackie’s invitation to partake in “the most prestigious event in Savannah.”

This year Bash guests will enjoy a silent auction and special food stations while attendees of the Ball will have both a live and silent auction and a seated dinner. But whichever event you may attend, the same dress code will be strongly enforced across the board, y’all. Ballgoers and Bashers must strut their stuff in black and white, wearing gowns and tuxedos with a touch of 1940’s Hollywood flair.

Jackie and her committee have organized quite the lineup of contributors to drive the fundraising this year. Does a ten-day safari sound like something that may interest you? Or maybe a private cooking class at the Mansion on Forsyth Park?

Not really up your ally? Maybe a Robert Benedetto handcrafted guitar or a commissioned painting (portrait or landscape) by Anthony Palliser better suits your taste. These are just a few samples of the live and silent auction items this year, ranging in values from $500 to $25,000.

Or maybe you have your eye on that pretty little car in the photo above. That’s a 2008 BMW 328ci convertible donated by Critz as the raffle prize (along with one day at the BMW driving school).

And the best part is, raffle tickets may be purchased by anyone, even if you’re not a tuxedo/gown sporting Ball or Bash guest. Raffle tickets are on sale currently at the Jepson Center for $100, but hurry, because there are only 400 available.

28th Annual Telfair Ball and Black and White Bash is Saturday, February 23. The Ball is at 6 p.m., and the Bash at 7 p.m.

The Telfair Ball, a director’s Circle members’ exclusive event, will be held at the Jepson Center and in Telfair Square. There will be a silent auction, a live auction, seated dinner, and The O’Kaysions will be playing under the big band dancing tent. Tickets $300 per person.

For those not ready for Directors’ Circle, the Telfair presents the Black and White Bash which will revisit the sophisticated style of the 1940s and enjoy a spectacular silent auction, special food stations, and deejay. Tickets $150 per person for non members (includes a one-year museum membership) and $125 per person for members.