PORTLAND – The Maine State Ballet will host its third benefit auction, The Cinderella Ball, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 12, at the Eastland Park Hotel Ballroom. The event will feature a silent auction and a live auction with guest auctioneer Kaja Veilleux of the Thomaston Place Auction Gallery. Guests will be treated to a brief preview from the upcoming “Cinderella Ballet,” a light dinner buffet, and dancing to the music of the Tony Boffa Band.

Proceeds from the auction will be used for a college scholarship fund, Dance for ME, which will benefit high school seniors who want to attend local colleges while continuing to dance with the Maine State Ballet; funding of the “Backstage at Maine State Ballet” educational outreach school performances held for the “Nutcracker” and for the spring ballet; and a third annual ballet production.

“Cinderella” will be performed April 30-May 1 and a summer production is scheduled for Aug. 20.

Tickets to the black-tie optional event are $50 per person; $90 per couple. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Maine State Ballet at (207) 781-7672.