Imperial Byzantine Ball will feature nobility, pageantry

Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998 | 11:14 a.m.

Nobility, royalty and pageantry will make their way to Las Vegas at The Imperial Byzantine Ball, a benefit for the American Cancer Society, at the Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd., on Nov. 28.

Knights of the Order of St. John, an ecumenical order providing charity, will be coming from countries such as Russia, Belgium, France, Spain and Italy for an investiture ceremony, in which Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Henri Constantine Paleologo will bestow knighthood on six Las Vegas residents for their contributions to the community. Paleologo is from Cannes, France.

"Those who are knighted are very honorable and well known in the community," ball Chairwoman Dr. Parvin Modaber Jacobs, who was knighted 10 years ago, said. Her husband was also knighted.

Wayne Newton, Sandy Peltyn, Roger Peltyn, Dan Reichartz, Larry Ruvo and Dr. Rachakonda D. Prabhu have been selected to be knighted at this year's ball.

"Prince Henri travels all over the world helping to organize charities," Peter Jaramillo, knight commander in Nevada, said.

Jaramillo was responsible for inviting Prince Henri to Las Vegas' first ball in 1989, an event that raised $130,000 for the cancer society.

For many it's a taste of history.

"It's a royalty ball," Jaramillo said. "The way we present these balls, we go back 200 to 300 years. We don't normally see that kind of pageantry in the United States. There will be duchesses, dukes and counts from Europe."

Jaramillo said they have a goal of $50,000, but are hoping to raise more. "We would like it to be very successful."

The gala is expected to draw about 500, Jacobs said.

For $250, attendees will experience a ball in royal fashion beginning with the Investiture Ceremony in the Montego Room, designed to look like a chapel, then a cocktail hour in the St. Thomas Room before attending dinner in the Mirage Ballroom.

Local retailers have donated raffle prizes, some exceeding $1,000.

Newton will be the master of ceremonies.