Best Dance to Attend If You Were Never Asked to the Prom

The Black & White Ball

Civic Center, Van Ness & Grove, www.bwball.com

During the hellish years of high school, some of us were either too unpopular, too gay, or too intent on creating misanthropic personas to receive an invitation to the prom. (Since so many dorky, brooding teens wind up in San Francisco as adults, we're guessing that many of you can relate.) Fear not, though, for every two years San Francisco serves up the very swanky and very popular Black & White Ball. Here you can (finally!) strap on a corsage, don that terribly expensive gown or tuxedo you've always dreamed of sporting, and slow dance under the stars. In addition to fine dining and romantic surroundings, the night boasts top-notch entertainment that would make any wedding reception green with envy. Past performers include Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Deborah Harry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the San Francisco Symphony, to name a few.