As the first annual Fool’s Ball — a masquerade-themed semi-formal dance — approaches, some students said they are enthusiastic about the event, while others said they are unsure whether they would pay to attend an event similar to others that can be found anywhere on campus.

The dance, which is being organized by representatives from Yale College Council, Yale Student Activities Committee and Relay for Life, will be held this Friday evening in the Morse and Stiles dining halls, YSAC chair and event co-chair Jackie Carter ’07 said. Individual tickets will cost $7 and tickets for couples will cost $10, she said. All proceeds from the dance will be donated to the American Cancer Society, which is also holding its Relay for Life event on Saturday.

“It’s a worthwhile student initiative,” Carter said. “It’s always great to be able to use YSAC and YCC manpower to contribute to a good cause.”

YCC President Steven Syverud ’06 said he is looking forward to the Fool’s Ball, a replacement for the Winter Ball.

“People are much more interested in having it in the spring,” he said.

The ball will feature two dance floors, free masks to follow the masquerade theme, a silent date auction and performance by a student DJ, YSAC representatives said. Several local restaurants, including Samurai, Claire’s, Scoozzi, La Piazza, Sandra’s and Naples will serve food at the event without compensation, Carter said.

Relay for Life co-chair Caroline Edsall ’06, who worked with YSAC and YCC on the dance, said she thinks the weekend’s events will benefit everyone involved.

“It’s a great symbiotic relationship,” she said. “We are getting the proceeds from the dance, and the charity aspect provides an extra incentive for people to go their event,” she said.

The idea to integrate the replacement dance for the cancelled Winter Ball with Relay for Life events arose from a scheduling conflict within YSAC, as both events were originally scheduled for the same day, Carter said. YSAC members also involved with Relay for Life chose to combine the two events in one weekend, with the dance acting as a “kickoff event” for the next day’s activities, Carter said.

YSAC Representative Jessica Nachman ’07 said she is hoping that students will not dismiss the ball as just another college dining hall dance.

“The difference is that this event benefits cancer research, so the money isn’t going to a residential college but to charity,” she said.

YSAC is hoping to attract the same number of people to this event that usually attend the Winter Ball, which is usually around 300 to 400 students, Carter said.

Some students said they were unsure about whether or not they would attend the Friday event.

Emily Appelbaum ’08 said she supports the dance’s cause but will not attend because it does not appeal to her as a unique event.

“People doing fundraising should look to move further away from typical activities that we already have,” she said. “I like to attend events that involve something different than the usual food, music and dancing.”

Elise Brau ’08 said she may not attend the ball because it was publicized too late for her to avoid schedule conflicts.

“I get the feeling that people aren’t going to go because I haven’t seen that much advertising for it,” she said.

But Amy Broadbent ’07 said she thinks the ball would be a good way to spend Friday evening.

“It seems like a really fun activity to do with your friends, and it’s a nice way to contribute to charity,” she said.