McClanahan Publishing is proud to announce that author David Dominé will emcee the 2010 Spirit Ball at the Conrad-Caldwell House in Old Louisville on Saturday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. to midnight. The opulent masquerade celebration will feature gourmet cuisine and cocktails, elegantly costumed guests and a silent auction. This is the fifth year that Dominé has hosted the gala, and many of the Spirit Ball guests have been known to pay homage to the characters of Dominé’s books with their attire. In honor of the launch of Dominé’s new book A Feast for the Eyes: Recipes from America’s Grandest Victorian Neighborhood, Domine’s personal chef services, cooking lessons and Old Louisville ghost tours will be offered as silent auction items. Tickets to the Spirit Ball are $150 and all proceeds go to the upkeep and preservation of the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. Space is limited, so make reservations now! Order tickets online at www.thespiritball.com or call (502) 636-5023.

The Spirit Ball, which has become a highlight of the city’s social calendar, will start at 8 p.m. with champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres in the foyer of the lavish 1890s mansion. At 9 p.m. the cocktail buffet will open after a brief toast by Dominé. In addition to live music from the Louisville Crashers downstairs in Conrad Hall, guests will enjoy the haunting strains of live piano and chamber music upstairs in the main house. In addition, harpist Nancy Stagner will strum tunes in the silent auction area as bidders vie for a wide variety of items.

About David Dominé: David Dominé, also known as the Bluegrass Peasant, is a Louisville-based travel, food and wine writer and author of several books published by McClanahan Publishing House. From Old Louisville hauntings to bourbon recipes, Kentucky spirits come alive in Domine’s narratives. His books include Adventures in New Kentucky Cooking, Splash of Bourbon: Kentucky’s Spirit and a series of bestsellers on the ghosts of Old Louisville. He also wrote the guidebook on Louisville for the Insiders’ Guide series, which provides a local’s perspective on over 60 destinations nationwide. In addition to his work as an author, Dominé pens a monthly food column for Kentucky Monthly magazine and teaches foreign languages at Bellarmine University.

About A Feast for the Eyes: Recipes from America’s Grandest Victorian Neighborhood: A Feast for the Eyes is the third cookbook from author David Dominé, who is renowned as one of the foremost authorities on regional Kentucky cuisine. The hardcover book features 130 pages of recipes and historical information from 30 of Old Louisville’s luxurious mansions, accompanied by full color photography by Robert Pieroni. The book retails for $24.95 and it is sold at www.kybooks.com, www.amazon.com and a number of Louisville area stores like Carmichael’s, A Taste of Kentucky, Barnes and Noble and Borders. It is also available at gift shops throughout the region, including those at the Visitors Center in Historic Old Louisville, the Conrad-Caldwell House and several state parks.

About McClanahan Publishing House: For over 25 years, McClanahan Publishing House, Inc. has specialized in quality books about Kentucky for Kentuckians. From Derby entertaining to bourbon history and heritage, McClanahan Publishing titles cover the iconic subjects that define the unique culture of the Bluegrass state. McClanahan books are sold throughout Kentucky and the South in book and gift shops, fine department stores, museums, on national shopping networks and in a variety of other retail sources, including www.Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.kybooks.com.