R&B singer Will Downing will be a special guest at the 4th Annual Virginia Union University Scholarship Gala & Masquerade Ball this Friday, April 15, at The Richmond Marriott Hotel, 500 E. Broad St. in Downtown.

Downing, a VUU alumnus, will be attending but not performing at the event to raise money for student scholarships at VUU.

A 6 p.m. reception will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing to the music of Richmond’s Trademark band.

A 2016 BMW 300 series car will be awarded at the end of the evening to the winning $100 raffle ticket holder.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, also a VUU alumnus, will host the gala, according to organizers.

Individual tickets to the black-tie event are $200, $75 of which is tax deductible.

Last year, about 800 people attended the ball, which raised nearly $400,000 in scholarship money.

For more information: www.vuu.edu or (804) 342-3938.