The Arts Project of Cherry Grove's (APCG) summer 2010 season, which had "The Greatest Shows on Earth" as its theme, came to a close with a gala and colorful "Circus Sideshow Ball," organized by the APCG Board of Directors and held at the Ice Palace on September 25. Music was by DJ Chuck McTague and buffet dinner by Island Breeze's 'Angry Chef' Angela Badolato. To raise further funds for APCG, Sybil Bruncheon told fortunes and Lorraine Michels took souvenir photos of those who attended.

Bella was Ringmistress for the programmed part of the evening and APCG President Coco Love/Michael Coffindaffer offered welcoming remarks. Homecoming Queen Beach DeBree/Troy Files, her outfit all hands and gloves, made a performing debut with "Mad About You," and another new act was offered by Ssss & Mmmm-Sue Rayson and Mary DiFede-who made merry mayhem, menacing each other and us, to the tune of "I'm not here for your entertainment." "That's Entertainment," sang Porsche, a symphony in pink and black, on the other hand.

Coco presented APCG Community Service Awards to Laura Spadafino, APCG webmistress and former treasurer; Bradshaw Smith, who videotapes the APCG shows; and this writer and photographer, who covers APCG events and contributes photos to the APCG website.

A highlight of the evening is invariably the costume contest and, thanks to the sideshow theme, this year's seemed particularly zany. Contest judges were Cobra, Urban Sprawl, Eileen Alley, Edrie Ferdun, and Bud Hendrickson, who had to choose from among some 20 contenders, and they selected, for the grand prizewinners, or 'most likely to hit the covers of supermarket tabloids,' Eric Coyne and Gene Rohrer, sporting three breasts apiece, with babies to boot, and turbans, nose rings and harem pants; for most Barnum & Bailey circus-like, Harold Seeley as the Mad Hatter-Harold also designed the circus wagon that dominated the stage; for most twisted, with most bizarre appendages, YaNeeda Dunes, also with three breasts and armed with 'spears' displaying body parts, borrowed from various APCG members and others, to stir into quite a witches' brew; and for most sideshow, James Chapski and Lola Galore, as knife-thrower and target-girl.