"We're turning the museum into a circus," said Ritz coordinator Christina Whiting.

To set the mood, Langham's youth troop, The Learning Circus, greets attendees with acrobatics, juggling and other circus acts. To light up the night outdoors, fire spinner Eivan Kilcher and fire hooper Kammi Matson create flaming art. Dave Aplin acts as the roving ringmaster, and veteran auctioneer Gary Thomas returns again to encourage people to bid early, bid often and bid high. Maura's Caf caters the event, with beer donated by Homer Brewing Company and wine donated by the Grog Shop.

It's what inside that will amaze, though. Through 5 p.m. today, the Ritz art show is on exhibit to entice people with the original art to be sold in silent and live auctions. Art includes works by Don Henry, Char Jump, Turid Senungetuk, Kathy Smith, Gail Baker, Ellen Chamber, Gary Lyon, Elizabeth Petersen and Ann-Margret Wimmerstedt. Suzanne Alvarez scoured bay beaches for the right piece of driftwood for her pottery, "Rhubarb Leaf Birdbath." Rika Mouw also will create a work of original jewelry.

That's only a small selection of the art. Ritz lures many visitors from out of town, Whiting said -- and if they're lucky, they can win bids on adventure packages to bring them back. Some trips are an overnight stay with a kayak tour at A Seaside Adventure lodge in Little Tutka Bay; "Quality Time," a dinner at the Homestead Restaurant for two, two hot stone massages and a one-month membership for two at the Bay Club, and "Two's Company," a package of couple adventures with a two-day pass to the 2009 Concert on the Lawn, tickets to Ritchie Havens in February 2009, tickets to Pier One Theatre, dinner at Try My Thai and a two-night stay at Old Town B & B.

Whiting said guys have been eyeing two smoke generators donated by Spenard Builders Supply -- the ultimate in a do-it-yourself smokehouse. Kachemak Gear Shed also has donated a fishing tackle package.

Although some adventure items can expect to go for $500 or more, bidding starts at $15 for other auction items, like passes to Barb's Video or the Homer Theatre.

"We try to have something for everybody," Whiting said.

The annual Ritz gala raises about $25,000 for the Pratt -- about 3 percent of its $750,000 budget -- and goes toward the museum's program and exhibits budget, said museum director Heather Beggs. It's not only the Pratt's biggest fund-raiser -- it's the Pratt's only fund-raiser. With other nonprofits charging $100 and up for fancy events, the Pratt has kept Ritz admission at $75.

"That ticket price is more reasonable for people to have fun at the party," Beggs said.

In challenging economic times, the lower price also makes the Ritz more affordable to families juggling rising living costs with their charitable giving.

"I think people are being more cautious in terms of making more money from special events," Beggs said. "As nonprofits, we have to make sure they're getting value."

The Pratt has been fortunate to receive grant support, like a recent $24,736 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation for computer and technology upgrades. In late 2009, the Pratt starts a capital campaign for museum expansion and its second phase of exhibit redesign. The Rasmuson grant will help museum staff do development efforts more efficiently, Beggs said. Right now the Pratt is working on its master exhibit plan and doing early planning for the expansion.

"We're trying to remain conservative and modest with our approach to it, especially in our economic times," Beggs said.

Doors to Cirque du Ritz open at 6 p.m. Refreshments are served from 6:30-8:30 p.m., with Magic and Mayhem at 8:30 p.m. followed by the live auction.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.