Yellowknife (Mar 25/05) - They wouldn't have named a horror movie series Prom Night if the thought of teens in ballroom gowns didn't inspire terror.

But next Friday - on April Fool's Day - a group of friends will stage an entire fake prom for adults as a fundraiser for the Centre for Northern Families.

It started out innocently enough, with a discussion between Jennifers.

"The other Jennifer, Jennifer McKay, wanted to have a birthday party for me," said Jennifer Steidman, a member of the fake prom organizing committee.

"Then it got bigger. Then we wanted to turn it into the biggest party Yellowknife has ever seen."

'80s flashback

The idea to regress to high school came to the group over a round of beers.

"We were talking about costumes and thought wouldn't it be funny if we wore our dresses from the '80s," said Steidman.

The fake prom committee was formed and the Explorer Hotel was booked.

Since the planning began when some of the committee members had just finished working on tsunami relief fundraisers, turning it into an event for charity was a no-brainer.

The fake prom is meant to be a chance to re-experience all the fun things about prom night, without the teen angst and the pressure of perfection. It may also prove to be the fashion disaster of the year. Steidman encourages Yellowknifers to dig out their fossilized grad gowns and bridesmaid's dresses from years past.

Polka dot poufs? Seafoam taffeta?

"Yes! Absolutely," said Steidman. "Crushed velvet, too."

One of their male friends has even located a powder blue tuxedo. With ruffles.

A prom king and queen will be crowned but Steidman said dates are definitely not required.

"We do have three guys on the organizing committee, but they're not as excited about dressing up," she observed.

They've hired DJ equipment and will be spinning their own special mix of 1980s classics, along with cult favourites from the '70s and '90s.

Tickets are available at Javaroma, Sole Obsession and the Centre for Northern Families.